Sharper Iron: Human Nature Can't Handle This!

Rev. Sean Smith from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Campbell Hill and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wine Hill, Illinois, studies Matthew 17:1-13. Today’s study covers the real transfiguration and the crucifixion, the real glory of God is his mercy, the law and the prophets all pointing to Jesus, human nature can’t handle the transfiguration, and Jesus suppressing the truth.

Matthew 17:1-13

The Transfiguration

17 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ²And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. ³And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. ⁴And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁵He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son,^[a] with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” ⁶When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. ⁷But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” ⁸And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

⁹And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”¹⁰And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” ¹¹He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. ¹²But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” ¹³Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.