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The text for this lesson is Matthew 17:1–9

Key Point

  • At the transfiguration, Jesus’ glory was unveiled before the disciples. Today, His glory is unveiled for us in the Word, in the water of Baptism, and in the bread and wine of His Holy Supper. In heaven, we shall see Him in all His glory!
  • Law: As a sinner, I tremble at the sound of God’s voice, for I deserve punishment and am unworthy to see Him face-to-face.
  • Gospel: As God’s child, I have nothing to fear, for in His Word and Sacraments, Jesus gives me pardon and peace through His death and resurrection, making me worthy to stand face-to-face with God my Father.

Discussion Points

  1. Pretend you are one of Jesus’ disciples on the mountaintop witnessing His transfiguration. Describe the experience of seeing Jesus brilliantly transformed before your very eyes.
  2. What is significant about the “high mountain” (v. 1) and the “bright cloud” that overshadowed the three disciples? See Exodus 3:1–6; 13:21–22; 19:16–20; 33:9–10; 40:34–38; 1 Kings 19:8–18; and Isaiah 2:3.
  3. In Matthew 17:2, we read, “And [Jesus] was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light.” What is the source of this brilliant, radiant light of transfiguration? See 2 Peter 1:16–18; John 8:12; and Revelation 21:23.
  4. According to Matthew 17:3, the three disciples not only witness Jesus’ glorious transformation, but they also see Moses and Elijah appear and talk with Jesus. What is significant about both Moses and Elijah appearing with Jesus? For the significance of Moses, see Exodus 3:1–10; 24:16–18; 32:15–20, 30–34; and 33:17–23. For the significance of Elijah, see 1 Kings 17:1–24; 18:36–40; and 2 Kings 2:9–12. What did they discuss with the Lord Jesus? See Luke 9:30–31.
  5. When Peter, James, and John are overshadowed by the bright cloud, they hear the voice of God the Father. According to Matthew’s Gospel, when did we hear this same voice speaking these same words? See Matthew 3:17. What is different in this account of Jesus’ transfiguration? What does this mean for Jesus’ work of salvation for us, His Christians?
  6. In Matthew 17:9, why does Jesus command the disciples to “tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead”?
  7. How does the story of Jesus’ transfiguration give us a picture of our life as Christians, both now and into eternity? See also
    1 Corinthians 15:44; 2 Peter 1:3–4; and 1 John 3:2.

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