A Vision On a Mountaintop

“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. ” (Matthew 17:1-4)

Peter, James, and John would be the disciples who had the most impact on the church in the future, with James taking primary responsibility for the church at Jerusalem and James and John traveling to the local churches to teach and encourage them, as we see in Acts 8.  Jesus took all three to the Mount of transfiguration, where he was transfigured, taking on some of his heavenly glory while retaining his human form.  Two of Israel’s most respected historical figures, Moses and Elijah appeared, talking with Jesus, confirming again that he was the Messiah.

Excited by what was happening, Peter suggested they build a place for each of them to stay so that they could continue to have the experience.  Throughout history, after a profound emotional experience such as this, groups have established conference grounds or meetings to try to carry on the emotional impact, much as Peter suggested. 

“While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.  And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.  And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.” (Matthew 17:5-9)

God spoke from heaven, declaring that Jesus was his son, just as he had done at Jesus’ baptism.  He stressed that they needed to focus on Jesus Christ and his teachings, rather than on their experiences or feelings.   Hearing God’s voice frightened the disciples, but Jesus told them they had nothing to fear.   When they looked around, God had taken away the things that had so excited them.  The vision had been given to drive home more fully that Jesus was truly God’s son and the Messiah, a Jesus told them they were not share it with anyone until after he was resurrected from the dead. 

This command made no sense to disciples because for centuries the Jews had known that the prophecies said Elijah would come before Messiah took action, and they had just seen Elijah.  They questioned Jesus about this in Matthew 17:10-13.  “And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.  But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.  Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.”   Jesus explained that the prophecy was true, but that it was not talking about Elijah himself, but about one who would be like him, trying to turn the people’s hearts toward God and that the prophecy had already been fulfilled.  The disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist, and that their vision of Elijah talking to Jesus had nothing to do with fulfilling the prophecy. 

Efforts to regain the emotional high resulting from the vision would have prevented them from getting the spiritual message god intended.  Unfortunately, many today become so caught up in the emotional impact they miss the spiritual lessons to be learned from such experiences.  The mountain top experience is only to prepare us for living in the valley.  We cannot please God trying to live on the mountain top.

Later both Peter and John would mention having personally heard God declare Jesus to be his son. 

A Commitment Is Required

In the previous post, we talked about the importance of finding out what all the scriptures say, rather than simply jumping to conclusions.  Because everything about being a Christian is so interrelated, Jesus constantly reviews and repeats the various principles they know, building a little on them each time, somewhat like a good math or science teacher introducing new concepts.   One of these areas is in what it takes to be saved.  Many believe that all that is required is simply praying and asking God to save you, quoting Romans 10:9-10 as proof.  “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” 

As a result, they conclude that Jesus statements in Matthew 16:2-26 or Luke 14:26-27 have to be referring to something other than salvation.  Others take the opposite position that salvation is entirely dependent on one’s behaving well enough to earn his salvation.  If we recognize the Bible is God’s word, then both statements are true.  We need to study the scriptures, meditating on them and allowing the Holy Spirit to make us understand how that is possible.  Let’s start by examining Matthew 16:24-27. 

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”

The warning about losing one’s soul makes it pretty clear this is about salvation, not just how faithfully one serves after being saved.  As we saw in the parable of the tares and wheat and the parable of the net, God’s angels will separate between those who have been saves and those who have not.  Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” 

Clearly, we are not saved by our own efforts, but by our faith in Jesus Christ. Our salvation is the result of Christ’s work in us, which will result in Good works.  A great many people have obtained information about how to deal with various health problems.  Unfortunately many of them will never put the information into practice, and as a result, although they obtained the information, they gain no benefit because they do not believe it enough to act on it.  In much the same way, a person can make a profession of faith, but without a commitment to follow through, they will not receive the benefits, and will not be saved. 

Luke 14:26-33 emphasizes the same point.  “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.  For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?  Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,  Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.  Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?  Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” 

Thewse two passages do not change what is required for salvation.  As Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”  It does make us understand clearly that believing involves believing to such a degree that we are willing to give up our earthly life and benefits in order to be saved, allowing Christ to accomplish his work in us. 

Without such a commitment, one is much like the illegal immigrants, demanding all the rights and privileges of American citizens while refusing to obey the laws or take the responsibilities of citizens.  I John 10:1 is quite clear anyone trying to get in another way has no right to be there.  “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”  John 10:10 tells us, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…”  Those who try to enter illegally have no concern for what is right, but only for what they might be able to get.  Only those who come legitimately are allowed into God’s kingdom. 

Don’t Jump To Conclusions

“From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” (Matthew 16:21-23)”

The Jews had long believed that the Messiah would come to earth as the great king, and set everything right, and Jesus disciples were no exception.   After all, there were numerous prophecies such as Isaiah 9:6-7 that referred to him as the great king.  “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” 

When Jesus began to talk about being killed, it seemed like a contradiction of everything the scriptures said about the Messiah.  Peter was convinced Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ, and he could not believe such things would happen to him.  Jesus rebuked Peter sharply for his insistence that it could not be true.  Like the other Jews, he was ignoring prophecies such as Isaiah 53:3-9.  “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.  He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.  And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.” 

It was crucial that Jesus came and paid for people’s sins.  If he did not, even the strictes Pharisees could never be saved, because the rules in the Law were never intended as a means of salvation.  Romans 3:20 tells us, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”  The law only made people aware of their sin, it did not tell how to get rid of it and as Romans 3:23 tells us, “…all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”  Without Jesus death on the cross no one could qualify as a citizen of the kingdom. 

Like the other Jews, Peter was only focused on the result he wanted, and ignored God’s plan.  Sadly, many times we do the same thing today, focusing on a few verses that support our ideas or positions, and ignoring those which do not.  As a result, we may find ourselves teaching or acting against Christ and his plan, sincerely thinking we are right.  We need to remember that as II Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” and that as II Peter 1:20 tells us, “…no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”  Every teaching of scripture is equally true.  Apparent contradictions indicate that we are not understanding them correctly and need to study more fully, rather than picking a position and ignoring things that do not seem to agree.    This is true, whether we are discussing salvation, the gifts of the Spirit, church polity, prophecy, or any other religious issue.  Conflicts are invariably the result of a lack of study of the scriptures or an unspiritual attitude.   Don’t jump to conclusions on the basis of one or two passages.

The Vital Question

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-16)

John the Baptist had been killed by Herod, and some people thought he might have come back as Jesus.  Others thought he might be Elijah because of the prophecies about him coming to prepare the way of the Lord.  Still others thought he might be Jeremiah or some great prophet.   Literally, their response was the same as a great many people today, that Jesus was very important religious figure and a great moral teacher, comparable to Mohamed or Moses or Buddha. 

When Jesus asked who the disciples thought he was, Peter said that they believed he was the Messiah  that God had promised.  Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Messiah or promised one.  He went on to describe him as the son of the living God.  The wording here implies a physical son, not just a spiritual relationship.  John 3:16-18 refers to Jesus as the only begotten son.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”  The Phrase “only begotten son” means that Jesus is the only son physically born to God, in the same way a human child is born to a human father through the natural birthing process.    While humans or angels may be referred to as children of God because they were created by him, they were not born to God by the natural process.   

 Literally Peter was saying Jesus is God born in a natural human manner.   He is not just another great prophet or teacher.  I John 4 gives a series of tests for determining whether a religious teacher or movement is from God or not.  The very first test is what they believe about who Jesus is, according to I John 4:2-3.  “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”  If they do not believe Jesus is God come in the form of a natural human being, they are inspired by a Satanic spirit, rather than the Holy Spirit. 

“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17-19)

Peter’s belief was not based on human logic or claims, but on what God had taught him.  He then went on to refer to Peter by his Greek name of Petros, or a small stone, in a play on words, saying he would built his church on Petra, the bedrock or mother stone, of which Peter would be just a small piece.  Time after time, we are told that that Rock is Jesus, the chief cornerstone and foundation of God’s church.  The church will never be destroyed by Satanic forces. 

Jesus disciples (Christians) would be given the keys, or means of access into heaven, so that others could go in as well.   I Corinthians 1:21 tells us, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”  Christians were given the responsibility for telling others about Christ so that those who would believe could be saved.  Those who believed on earth would be saved for eternity, and those who did not would be condemned for eternity.  There would be no Purgatory, no changing their mind after death.

The Jews knew what the scriptures said about the Messiah, and would have to make their own decision whether they believed Jesus was him or not.  Matthew 16:20 tells us, “Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.” Salvation requires sincere belief.  Simply giving mental assent to his being the Messiah will not save anyone.  

Jumping to Conclusions

Just a few days before Jesus had fed five thousand men with a little boys lunch of five loaves and two small fishes.  Less than twenty four hours before, he had fed four thousand men with seven loaves and few small fishes.   After responding toe Pharisees demand for another sign, he and the disciples went across the Sea of Galilee.  Matthew 16:5 tells us, “And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.”

Jesus was still thinking about what the Pharisees had demanded.  Matthew 16:6 tells us, “Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”  After hours of rowing and sailing, the disciples were hungry, and thinking about where they could get something to eat.  They immediately jumped to the conclusion Jesus was scolding them for forgetting to bring anything to eat, as Matthew 16:7 says.  “And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.”  They simply assumed he was talking about what they were thinking about, rather than listening to what he was saying. 

“Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?  Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?  How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?” (Matthew 16:8-11)

Jesus realized what they were thinking and reminded them that each time the fed the multitude, after everyone had eaten as much as they wanted, there was more left over than they started with.   Clearly, a lack of food was no problem for him.   That they were worrying about having food enough revealed their own lack of faith.  Jesus had said nothing about food itself.  He had referred to leaven, which was not the yeast we use today, but rather sourdough starter.   It was like he was warning them that the starter had gotten contaminated and would be dangerous to eat.  After listening to him and thinking about what he said they realized he had not been talking about food at all.  Matthew 16:12 tells us, “Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”

Far too often Christians today make the same kind of mistakes , getting caught up in physical practices rather than understanding them from a spiritual standpoint.  One historical example is to be found in I Corinthians 11, where Paul talks about men having long hair or a woman having short hair being a shame.  Over the centuries some have held the standard that a woman must wear a hat to church and that it is a sin for a man to wear one.  Others have made an issue of a man wearing his hair long, expelling those who do from the church.  In both cases they have ignored the statement in I Corinthians 11:16-17, “But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.  Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.” 

Literally, what I Corinthians says is that while this might seem to be an obvious natural thing, churches and pastors who are serving God will not make it an issue.   When we go back into the Old Testament, we find that when a person wanted to dedicate themselves to God for a time, taking the Nazarite vow, they were to shave their head, whether man or woman before taking the vow.  They were not to cut their hair again until the period of the vow was complete, when they were to shave their head again.  God does not command people to sin, yet this is his command, as Numbers 6 tells us.

 The standard that it was a shame for a man to have long hair or a woman to have short hair came out of the Greek culture, rather than from God’s command, and was widely accepted by cultures such as the Corinthians who had been greatly influenced by the Greeks, although the Sadducees had also adopted it.   In making the hair length or wearing a hat an issue, we are adopting a standard that comes from the world rather than God.  When we make such things an issue, we actually place the world’s standards ahead of God, driving people further from him, and hindering their spiritual growth.  We need to be careful the teachings we adopt are actually from God, not just an assumption of what he meant.  

Seeking Another Sign

After Jesus feeding the five thousand attracted a large following.  In another effort to discredit him the came asking of a sign as Matthew 16:1 describes.  “The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven.”   In essence, they were asking him to prove again that he was the Messiah, Just as Satan did when he tempted him.  Jesus didn’t fall for their request either. 

Instead, he pointed out that they did not need some miraculous signs to predict the weather, because certain natural events lead naturally to a certain result, as he pointed out in Matthew 16:2-3.  “He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.  And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?”  When the sun heats the ground and the air above it, the heated air rises, carrying moisture from the surface with it, and allowing cooler air to flow in and take its place.  As the hot air rises, it cools, and flows toward the place where the cooler air was originally.

Since the sun moves from east to West, surface winds tend to flow from west to east, while upper winds flow from east to west.  Red skies indicate light shining through very humid air.  As the air cools that humidity will condense and fall as rain.  Storm clouds tend to follow the upper level winds, so a red sky in the evening indicates the storm has already passed by, while a red sky in the east indicates rain clouds which are coming toward you.   Thus one can predict rain with a reasonable degree of accuracy near the ocean or other large bodies of water.  The farther one is from such bodies of water the less water is available, so it becomes less predictable.  Israel sits right on the Mediterranean coast and such predictions can be quite accurate. 

If the Jews could predict something as changeable as the weather by simply observing what was going on around them, why couldn’t they see the trends of much less volatile events and understand what was going on?  They had hundreds of prophecies describing what would be happening when the Lord came, and had seen many of those prophecies fulfilled. 

Jesus described their constant looking for more signs as being like an unfaithful wife who repeatedly threatens to leave her husband if he doesn’t prove his love by giving her what she wants, In Matthew 16:4.   “A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.”  He told them that there would be no special signs.  They would have to decide whether they wanted to be God’s people or not on the basis of the things he had already done for them.   

Like the unfaithful wife, as long as they were depending on another sign to keep them there, there was danger that someone else would come along with another offer and they would turn away from God.  Mark 13:21-23 warns, “…if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.  But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.”  People who are constantly looking for another sign that this is of God are susceptible to false teachings just as an unfaithful or uncommitted wife is susceptible to being seduced by someone other than her husband.  The refusal to commit is wicked.  

The Spirit, Not The Letter

Jesus had just condemned the scribes and Pharisees for substituting their own traditions and principles in place of God’s commands.  As he said, they made a big show of worshipping God, but it was meaningless, often encouraging people to ignore what God had said.  Their focus was on the wrong things.  He made the same point to the entire crowd, in Matthew 15:10.  “And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”  The focus of the law was on the attitude toward others, trying to protect them, rather than on the ritual of washing one’s hands.  Failing to wash one’s hands would not make one a wicked person.

Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?” (Matthew 15:12)

This was the opposite of what the Pharisees were teaching, and they resented being contradicted.  The disciples were concerned about what the Pharisees might do since they were viewed as the epitome of religious practice, and had a great deal of political pull, similar to the Pope and bishops among Catholics, the Prophet and Apostles to Mormons, or the Imams among Moslems.  They often begin to think of themselves as infallible.   

“But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” (Matthew 15:13-14)

Jesus reminded the disciples that God would separate out those who are not of God, and they should just let them alone, or as Paul says, avoid them.  I Timothy 1:5-7 points out that the Law was not simply about fulfilling certain rituals or keeping certain rules.  “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.”  The law was about developing a proper attitude of love and concern for others. 

Mt 15:15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.” (Matthew 15:15)  Peter asked Jesus what he meant when he said, “Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”  After all, that was what they had always been taught. 

“And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?  Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.” (Matthew 15:16-20)

Even the disciples were confused, because they had always been taught that serving God was about keeping the rules.   As Jesus pointed out, what person ate would not make him wicked, because it would simply be digested and any bad stuff eliminated.  The problems are with the heart attitudes and thought patterns that lead to evil behavior, such as murder, adultery, or theft.  Not washing one’s hands does not cause people to do these kinds of things.  They are the result of what a person thinks about. 

John 4:24 tells us, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”   Worshipping God is spiritual thing, and will not be accomplished by mechanically following a set of rules.  It requires a different attitude or spirit that is sincere about doing what is right.  Those who think they can please God by keeping a set of rules simply don’t understand who God is.    A godly person doesn’t do what is right because it is required, but because he wants to do right.  As a result, he only needs a set of guidelines as to what God expects, not a detailed list of what is allowed or forbidden.