Seeds for 10/30/2023 - Matthew 17:4-8

Scripture: Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” He said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

Observation: “Theophany” is the theological term for the disciples’ experience on the mountain. It means something like an encounter with the divine, manifested visibly somehow. I would think this qualifies. Moses and Elijah, the mysterious bright cloud, the voice of God.

The reaction of the disciples to the divine declaration over Jesus is something we see in other places in the scriptures: “they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.” This is the standard response upon encountering an angel. In the Old Testament and the Gospels, when an angel appears, the people are scared. It is such a fearsome thing to experience, they must be immediately told not to be afraid simply so they may take in the message. So, the disciples share plenty of company.

This time, there is an intriguing contrast. The disciples are, in fact, acting normal given the circumstances. Then Jesus breaks in: “But Jesus came and touched them. ‘Get up,’ He said. ‘Don’t be afraid.’” No message. He just touched them, commanded them not to fear, and soon leads them down from the mountain.

Christianity is unusual, as religions go. Most represent God or the Divine as either imminent or transcendent. Imminent means close, even intwined with the creation—indistinct. Eastern religions such as Hinduism for example, present the Divine this way. Transcendent means distinct from, above, beyond. The monotheistic religions of Judaism and Islam are clearer on transcendence, the otherness of the Divine.

It’s either one the other—above and distinct, or close and intertwined. Christianity, however, unites these two in the person of Jesus. As the “word made flesh,” He is transcendence and imminence in One. The Transcendent God come near, the Almighty One become intimate.

The disciples fall to the ground in fear, but Jesus commands them not to be afraid. I have to wonder if Matthew is showing us that Jesus bridges the gap, making the One who is far above and beyond us also near and close. So close that we need not be afraid because the Power that made the universe cares for and consoles us in our terror. Not only that we can hear the message, but that we are invited to walk in fellowship with Him.

Application:

• When has Jesus calmed your fears and helped you walk with Him?

• What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for bringing God near, making God’s love real, and casting out our fear. Amen.

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“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)

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