Is it Good for Us to be Here? (Matthew 17:1-8)

Is it Good for Us to be Here? (Matthew 17:1-8)

 

1 엿새 후에 예수께서 베드로와 야고보와 그 형제 요한을 데리시고 따로 높은 산에 올라가셨더니

1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

 

2 그들 앞에서 변형되사 그 얼굴이 해 같이 빛나며 옷이 빛과 같이 희어졌더라

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

 

3 그 때에 모세와 엘리야가 예수와 더불어 말하는 것이 그들에게 보이거늘

3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

 

4 베드로가 예수께 여쭈어 이르되 주여 우리가 여기 있는 것이 좋사오니 만일 주께서 원하시면 내가 여기서 초막 셋을 짓되 하나는 주님을 위하여, 하나는 모세를 위하여, 하나는 엘리야를 위하여 하리이다

4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

 

5 말할 때에 홀연히 빛난 구름이 그들을 덮으며 구름 속에서 소리가 나서 이르시되 이는 내 사랑하는 아들이요 내 기뻐하는 자니 너희는 그의 말을 들으라 하시는지라

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

 

6 제자들이 듣고 엎드려 심히 두려워하니

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.

 

7 예수께서 나아와 그들에게 손을 대시며 이르시되 일어나라 두려워하지 말라 하시니

7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”

 

8 제자들이 눈을 들고 보매 오직 예수 외에는 아무도 보이지 아니하더라

8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

 

 

1. When someone from the city visits somewhere filled with clean air and nature, you will occasionally hear them say, “I wish I lived in a place like this.” After living in a city and breathing in polluted air, the fresh air and water in nature is a welcomed, and healthy, change.

 

Some people choose to leave the city and invest their money in a house somewhere in the countryside where nature remains untouched. They feel living in such a place will restore and strengthen their health.

 

But does living in the countryside ensure peace of mind and heart? Does it ensure happiness? Not necessarily. Happiness is not something that can be obtained simply through materialistic possession or by your own resolve.

 

2. Hebrews 13:9 says, “It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods…” only can the presence of God’s grace bring you true happiness.

 

3. We often hear or read about powerful figures, wealthy leaders, influential individuals, or popular celebrities who made the drastic decision to end their own lives, unable to handle the trials of the world. This shows us that achieving the worldly standards of greatness will not guarantee happiness; it will not make us think “It is good for us here.”

 

Today’s scripture is often referred to as “The Transfiguration.” Peter sees the transfigured form of Jesus and in complete awe tells Jesus that it would be good for them to remain on that mountain and that he would build shelters if Jesus wished.  But Jesus comes down from the mountain as if nothing had happened. What can we learn from this incident?

 

 A) Our Ideals and Reality Are Different

 

1. In the scripture, Peter and two other disciples saw a glorious sight they had never experienced before. We are told the mountain was a “high mountain”, but we are not told its exact location. The actual location is unknown still today, but one of the possible candidates for the Mountain of Transfiguration is Mount Hermon.

 

Mount Hermon is an extremely tall mountain located in the northern region of Galilee. It is so tall that the farms at the foot of the mountain get all of their water supply from the snow that melts and flows down the mountainside in the spring. Its peak reaches 2,184m, making it taller than the Hallasan, a mountain on the Jeju Island of South Korea. Of course, Jesus likely did not climb to the top; he probably stopped somewhere halfway.

 

2. Peter, James, and James’ brother John follow Jesus to the mountain and there they see Moses and Elijah, two important figures of the Old Testament, appear. They also witness the transfiguration of Jesus. It is described that Jesus’ “face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.”

 

Then Jesus, Moses, and Elijah speak to each other. Moses and Elijah lived 1500 years and 900 years before Jesus’ time, respectively. It is recorded that no one knew where Moses’ dead body was. Elijah was said to have been taken up to Heaven on a chariot pulled by horses of fire.

 

To see such prominent figures from Biblical history speak with Jesus, centuries after their time, right in front of them was a shocking, awesome, and glorious thing for the disciples to witness. No one would believe it to be true. It was only possible because Jesus is the Son of God. Normal people would consider it to be a mere fantasy or ideal imagination.

 

3. Upon seeing such an amazing sight, Peter was overwhelmed with awe and told Jesus that if He permitted, he and the disciples would build shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah and remain on the mountain serving them for the rest of their days. Peter thought that if his request was granted, he would live happily.

 

But his reverence had made him forget about his family, the rest of the disciples, the suffering people, and his true calling. Jesus reappeared as His “man” self and took Peter, James, and John back down the mountain as if nothing had happened. No matter how amazing the events on the mountain were, it was not as important as their duty in the real world. Reality takes priority over ideals.

 

 

B) In the End, Faith Means to Work for the Future

 

1. The Father of Faith, Abraham, left his home, the City of Ur of Chaldees (modern-day’s Iraq) to live the rest of his life wandering the Middle East like a drifter. He never had a permanent home, but he lived with the faith and hope in his eternal home of Heaven.

 

Hebrews 11:15-16 says, “5 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.”

 

Abraham was a man of faith who saw favor in God’s eyes, yet his life was filled with one trial after another. God blessed Abraham with many blessings, but he never lived with a 100% guarantee of a comfy life.

 

2. We, too, are the same. We believe in Jesus but trials, obstacles, and hard times still follow us. But our faith allows us to see past these temporary trials and look toward God’s helping hand and the future He holds for us. Our hope and yearning for our eternal home in Heaven gives us strength and leaves us unwavering in our faith.

 

3. Moses also faced similar situations. After the Exodus, he traveled through the desert for 40 years. Any normal man would have given up, but Moses believed in God’s promise and sacrificed 40 years of his life, overcoming all obstacles, to give new life to the Israelites in Canaan.

 

Jesus was also faced with the fear of taking up the cross, but he left the Mountain of Transfiguration and the events that occurred behind him so that he could become our Savior. He could have chosen to stay on the mountain, and live comfortably like Peter suggested. But he knew he had to face suffering to bring us the greatest gift of salvation.

 

C) We Must Live for Our Spiritual Calling

 

1. The value of one’s life depends on what he/she lived for. It does not matter if they graduated from a prestigious school, were from an established and respected family, or lived in a large beautiful house.

 

In this regard, we as Christians must come down from our Mountain of Transfiguration. Of course there are many of us who would rather remain in such an astounding place, but as Christians we must face the hardships of our lives instead of avoiding them. We face these trials, overcome them, experience a change in our life each day, and continue forth.

 

2. Take a look at the Israelites: Following the Exodus, the Israelites pushed forward, overcoming all obstacles, until their conquering of Canaan. They never lived a comfortable or stable life. Why? Because it was their calling. It was their duty from God. To fulfill their mission, they needed immense patience, endurance, and faith.

 

3. They say that contentment is the enemy of growth. When we settle and say, “It is good here” as Peter did, we lose the opportunity for greatness and glory.

 

4. Numbers 32:1-42 tells us about the children of Reuben and the children of Gad. The Reubenites and Gadites ask Moses to let them stay in the lands of Jazer and Gilead instead of crossing the Jordan towards Canaan. They saw that the land was green and good for livestock and thought it would be better to stay.

 

But these lands were ominous and filled with Amorite idolaters. The lands were suitable for livestock, but it was not Canaan, the land God had promised. However, the Reubenites and Gadites saw the perilous journey of crossing the Jordon and thought it better to settle where they were, a land that was fertile and seemingly safer.

 

What kind of people does this story illustrate? It depicts the Christians who try to live in both the world and Heaven. We need to choose between the Amorite land or Canaan; you cannot be a part of both. As Christians, we press forth to the land God commands, even if it will cost us.

 

5. The Apostle Paul was beaten and faced death countless times. Yet he still traveled to Antioch where he implores that the disciples face suffering, and not avoid it.

 

Acts 14:22 – “22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.”

 

We, as humans, like things that are easy and comfortable. We seek instant gratification. But these things have no value. You cannot receive anything of worth if you do not pay the deserving price.

 

 6. All of us here today face decisions we must make on a daily basis. How are we going to live? For whom are we going to live? Will we live for God? For ourselves? For our Lord? Or for someone else? We make our choices at every moment.

 

Will you choose to follow Jesus, the man who carried your cross for you? Will you cast aside your lowly self and choose the Lord? Or will you let your old habits inhibit you and attend church out of routine? Will you be content and settle for the life you have now?

 

Or will you turn your back to all that is unworthy and take up your cross with courage? Will you carry your cross with strength? These are the choices that await us.

 

1. William Carey, a British missionary known for his mission work in India, said this: Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.

 

Do not let yourself settle. Do not let yourself be content. Do not be like the Reubenites and Gadites. Do something that sets your heart aflame. Do something great, noble, beautiful, of servitude, and of truth. Do not think “It is good for me here,” and be satisfied. 

 

Do not be placated with lukewarm servitude, serving both the world and God. Are you hoping to serve God and be comfortable? If so, then you are in a very dangerous state of mind. Do you believe that being complacent is truly God’s will for you? If so, think again.

 

Come down from the Mountain of Transfiguration with Jesus. Face the world and its reality of hardships. Do not settle.

 

2. “True faith” does not mean we accept and acknowledge that what is recorded in the Bible is true. “True faith” means we take what is written and put it to action in our lives. It means to bring the Word to life. Take time today to reflect on yourself.

 

Compare yourself to today’s message. Make the choice to come down from the Mountain of Transfiguration and press on down God’s path with courage, confidence, and faith.