A Glimpse of Glory: What the Mountain Reveals — Matthew 17:1–13

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for taking a moment to explore this scripture together.

Before the cross, before the garden, before the arrest and betrayal — there was a mountain. And on that mountain, for just a moment, heaven touched earth. The veil pulled back. The glory beneath the flesh of Jesus exploded into light. And three ordinary men stood shaking in the presence of something extraordinary. But this wasn’t just about awe. It was about preparation. Because what came next… would break them. And God knew they needed a glimpse of the end before walking through the middle.

📺 Want to watch the full teaching? [Click here to view the May 3rd lesson.]

Recap of Last Week’s Lesson (Matthew 16:13–28)

Last week, we walked into one of the most defining moments in Jesus’ ministry.

Jesus asked His disciples,

“Who do you say that I am?”

Peter responded with clarity:

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

It was a moment of revelation — but then came the weight.

Jesus told them plainly:

“I must suffer… be killed… and be raised.”

Then He added something even harder:

“If anyone wants to follow Me, let them deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Me.”

We said that Good Friday isn’t just about Jesus’ death — it’s a call to ours as well.

But we also remembered that the cross comes with a promise.

Whoever loses their life for Jesus will find it.

And that set us up for today’s passage — where Jesus doesn’t just predict His resurrection.

He gives them a glimpse of glory.

📖 Scripture Reading – Matthew 17:1–13 (ESV)

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.

And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.

And 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.”

He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.

But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”

And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

And 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.”

And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?”

He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But 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.”

Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Context & Background

A Mountain Rich in History and Redemption

This week’s passage begins with Jesus taking Peter, James, and John up a “high mountain.” While Matthew doesn’t name the mountain explicitly, early church tradition and many scholars believe it was Mount Tabor, a prominent hill in Lower Galilee that rises about 1,800 feet above sea level and overlooks the Jezreel Valley.

This mountain has deep biblical roots. In Judges 4, it was the very place where Deborah the prophet and Barak the commander led Israel into battle against Sisera, the general of the oppressive Canaanite army. Though Barak had 10,000 soldiers, the decisive blow didn’t come by his hand — it came through an unlikely hero: a woman named Jael, who drove a tent peg through Sisera’s temple while he slept.

Centuries later, Jesus brings His three closest disciples to that same mountain. But this time, the mountain doesn’t set the stage for a battle won through violence—it prepares them for a battle Jesus will win through surrender. Instead of Sisera being pierced in the temple, Jesus will be pierced in His body. Instead of Israel defeating their enemies with a tent peg, the Lamb of God will defeat sin and death through a Roman cross.

The transformation is profound.

What was once a mountain of military triumph becomes a mountain of divine transfiguration. What was once the site of a pagan stronghold and violent deliverance becomes a sacred moment where Jesus shines with heavenly glory, flanked by Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets.

And just like in Judges, this mountaintop moment isn’t the end — it’s the setup. Jesus is giving His disciples a glimpse of what lies beyond suffering. Before He descends into the valley of pain, betrayal, and crucifixion, He invites them into a holy vision — to anchor their faith for what’s to come.

This is the redemptive beauty of our faith:

God doesn’t just rewrite history — He redeems geography.

He takes places once drenched in war and uses them to declare His glory.

Key Lessons & Takeaways

1. Peter Still Doesn’t Get It

Peter had just confessed Jesus as the Messiah in Matthew 16, but once again, he missed the point. On the mountain, Jesus is transfigured—his divine nature breaks through in radiant light—and Peter responds by saying, “It is good that we are here… Let me build three tents.” Another word for tents is tabernacles, which are sacred places to dwell.

In essence, Peter says, “Let’s camp here. Let’s stay in the glory.” But that’s exactly the problem.

Jesus didn’t come to dwell in comfort among saints. He came to walk among sinners. There were no poor, no sick, no hurting people on that mountain—only saints, disciples, and God. As breathtaking as that moment was, it wasn’t the mission. Jesus didn’t ascend that mountain to stay—He went up so He could come down, strengthened for the suffering ahead.

Too often, we do what Peter did. We want to freeze moments of clarity and camp in glory. We long for Christian bubbles where everyone is mature and everything is beautiful. But the mission of God is not to remain where it’s easy—it’s to go where it’s messy.

So ask yourself:

Am I more comfortable around the already glorified than the desperately broken? Have I confused spiritual maturity with spiritual avoidance?

2. God Brought Them to the Mountain for a Reason

One chapter earlier in Matthew 16:1, the Pharisees and Sadducees demanded a sign—a big, theatrical display of power. Jesus refused. “Only an evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign,” He said. And yet, just a short time later, He gives one of the most astonishing signs in Scripture.

Why the difference?

Because the Transfiguration wasn’t given to skeptics for entertainment—it was given to disciples for encouragement. Jesus wasn’t performing. He was preparing. He knew these three would soon watch Him bleed and die. So before the crown of thorns, He gave them a glimpse of the crown of glory.

This is how God works. He does the spectacular—but always on His terms. He gives signs, but not to prove something to doubters. He gives them to anchor the faithful for what’s ahead.

So ask yourself:

Are you asking God for signs on your terms—or are you trusting Him to show you what you need when you need it? 

3. Don’t Get Caught Up in the Glory — Listen to Jesus

Peter wanted to build three tabernacles—one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. This wasn’t just a gesture of honor—it was an attempt to institutionalize the moment, to build a worship structure around it. That’s what tabernacles were: sacred spaces, built by human hands, to contain divine presence.

But God interrupts him. Literally.

“This is my Son… listen to Him.” (Matthew 17:5)

Not admire. Not enshrine. Not build ministries around.

Listen.

And in Hebrew, the word for listen is shama—which means to obey, to act on what you’ve heard. Listening isn’t passive—it’s a life-altering response.

Peter wanted to build something physical. But God had already told him back in Matthew 16, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” In other words, you will build a tabernacle—but not one made with wood and nails. One made with people, with obedience, with faith.

So ask yourself:

Am I honoring Jesus with my hands—or with my life? Am I building shrines to glory, or becoming a vessel of it? 

🏔️ Final Reflection – Don’t Stay on the Mountain

The Transfiguration is one of the most awe-inspiring moments in the Gospels — a glimpse of glory, a revelation of identity, a voice from heaven.

But don’t miss what God is showing us:

• Peter wanted to stay on the mountain — but Jesus came to go down into the brokenness.
  

• God gave a glimpse of glory — but not to entertain, only to equip.
  

• And heaven’s command wasn’t to build… it was to listen.
  

In this single story, we are reminded of three truths that still confront us today:

1. You can be close to Jesus and still miss the point — if your comfort matters more than the mission.
   

2. God still gives mountaintop moments — but they are meant to strengthen you for the valley, not make you retreat from it.
   

3. The highest form of worship isn’t building altars — it’s obedient listening that translates into action.
   

So here’s the call:

You’ve seen the mountain.

Now go live the message.

Don’t settle for admiring Jesus — follow Him into the places that need Him.

Don’t build monuments to glory — become a witness of it through obedience.

Don’t cling to fleeting moments — let them move you to eternal purpose.

Because the mission is still below.

And the world still needs what we’ve seen.

🟦 Challenge for the Week

Sit with these three questions:

1. Where am I tempted to camp in comfort instead of move toward mission?
   

2. What has God already shown me — not to impress me, but to prepare me?
   

3. What is Jesus saying… and am I truly listening with my life?
   

Let’s not just behold His glory — let’s carry it.

Love you all. Let’s go back down the mountain and bring the Kingdom with us.