Verse 1, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” Seeing the King, in all His glory, was something that Peter, James, and John were privileged to see in their lifetime. Verses 2-4, “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.” It was only a glimpse of what is to come, but we know it was so awesome that they were greatly afraid and didn't even know what to speak. Along with Verse 7, Matthew 17:5-6 tells us they heard the voice of God, “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!' And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.”
So why did Moses and Elijah appear and what was the significance? Some say that Moses represented the law, and Elijah the prophets. Others think that Moses represented those who had physically tasted death, and Elijah, those who would be caught up to heaven (raptured), as he never died. The disciples knew what the scriptures said in Malachi 4:5, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord,” which prompted them to ask Jesus about it. Matthew 17:11-13, “Jesus answered and said to them, 'Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.' Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.” We know from Luke 1:17 that John came in the same spirit of Elijah, “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” It also sounds as though Elijah will come in a future tense and will restore all things.
After unsuccessfully attempting to cast a demon out of a boy, Jesus performed the miracle requested by the boys father. Verses 23-24, “Jesus said to him, 'If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, 'Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!' ” This is a humble and appropriate way to address Jesus Christ. If you think you are awesome and can do everything on your own, you will never be able to admit your for need help or even a Savior. We can come to God the Father as His children, and make our requests known. This man prayed for faith to believe; why would He not answer that request? Matthew 7:7-11, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
Humility and childlike faith are key. Actually God requires humility, as mentioned in Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” Jesus teaches the disciples that internal striving is not the way to go. Verses 34-37, “But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, 'If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.' Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 'Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.' ” We all need to practice putting others first, and their needs above our own. When we are easily offended by others, it just reveals how concerned we are with ourselves. Keep your eyes on eternity, and do all things unto the Lord. Colossians 3:23-25, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.”
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