Matthew 17:6-8: Jesus Only

“Rise, and have no fear,” Jesus to Peter, James and John in Matthew 17:7

“For it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God,” (Hebrews 10:31, NASB).  

“Wow, I was wrong, you really do exist!” (Atheist actress Julianne Moore, said glibly, when asked by a reporter what she would say if she sees God at the gates of heaven.  www.salon.com, February 23, 2013)

Jesus’ inner circle of disciples was with him on a mountain near Galilee.   Jesus was transfigured into his heavenly glory.   Appearing with him were Moses and Elijah.   From a cloud, the voice of God says, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased; listen to him,” (v. 5).  When the disciples with Jesus heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified, (v. 6). 

When the LORD spoke and made a covenant with Abraham, a “dreadful and great darkness fell” upon Abraham (Genesis 15:12).   When Isaiah saw a glimpse of the throne room of God, he cried, “Woe is me, for I am ruined!” (Isaiah 6:5, NASB).    The shepherds, receiving the news of the birth of Jesus, had the glory of the Lord shine around them.  And “they were filled with fear,” (Luke 2:9).

At his arrest Jesus, incarnate and empty of his heavenly glory, indentified himself with three words: “I am he.” Still, when Jesus said those words to the entire band of chief priests, officers and soldiers, they “drew back and fell to the ground,” (John 18:6). When once again two generations later John encounters the glorified Jesus, he says, “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead,” (Revelation 1:17).

In Holy Scripture, from the patriarchs to the prophets to the gospels to Revelation, when mere mortal man comes face to face with Almighty God, man does not dialogue, bargain or debate with God.  Neither does man express anger nor casual indifference.  Rather, there is only fear: terrifying, gripping fear.   

The mistake that unbelieving man makes today is that he thinks God is a benign, hunched-over, absent-minded grandfatherly old man, void of power, holiness, righteousness.  I, too, would not trust my soul to such a god.    Even believers often have in mind a picture of God that is too small.   But Scripture gives us a radically different picture.   On judgment day, for those who are alienated from him, there will be no back and forth conversation with God, the way two people might debate politics at a coffee shop.   Rather there will be only “a fearful expectation of judgment” and “a fury of fire” (Hebrews 10:27).

However, this is also where the beauty of the gospel emerges.   Yes, we are “by nature children of wrath…but God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ… For by grace you have been saved by faith.  And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God,” (Ephesians 2:3-4, 8).   “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Romans 5:1).  The wrath due us was poured out on Jesus (see Romans 5:9).   Now, salvation is free for all who trust in Christ. 

Jesus, while on the mountain with his disciples, gives us a beautiful illustration of the reconciliation that the gospel brings.   Peter James and John were overcome by terror realizing they were in the presence of Holy God.  But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear,” (v. 7).   Even being physically touched by Jesus communicated their peace with God.  Love replaces fear; justification replaces enmity. And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only, (v. 8).

Salvation is not about Moses or Elijah.  It is not about James, Peter or John.   It is about Jesus and Jesus only.  “For there is no other name under heaven…by which we must be saved,” (Acts 4:12).    Fear God.  Yet peace is ours through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Do not “neglect such a great salvation,” (Hebrews 2:3).