Rebuke-5 Peter

To You, Jesus with all my love, forever!

And then Jesus asked them the question, “Who do people say that I am?”  Matthew 16:13

The Disciples answered, ‘Some say John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah and some others say one of the prophets’ And then Jesus asked them 

“Who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:15. 

And it was Peter who said -”You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” Matthew 16:16. and please also note:

• The revelation received by Peter during his confession is also confirmed as (“The Christ of God.”=This is my Son, my Chosen) in  Luke 9:20=Luke 9:35

At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, The Divine Sonship was proclaimed in Luke 3:22 “Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.” 

Jesus told them what would take place when they reached Jerusalem. He would be persecuted and would suffer at the hands of those who intended to kill Him. And, Peter spoke “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” Matthew 16:22. Jesus reproaches Peter to his face, with very severe words: ‘Get behind me Satan!’” Jesus says this because Peter is thinking “not as God does, but as men do.”
Jesus did not actually refer to Peter as Satan but the influence of Satan which led Peter to attempt to talk Christ out of the Cross. If Christ had not died on the Cross, we would not be redeemed. Peter was unknowingly speaking against the will and plan of God.

By announcing that He must suffer and die, Jesus is making it clear that He is the Messiah - a humble servant Who obeys His Father even to the point of dying on a cross.

Jesus told His disciples, whoever wants to follow Him must also become a servant, and “deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” The path of Jesus is not one of success or earthly glory, but that which leads to true freedom, the freedom from selfishness and sin.

Luke 9:18-27 at the end of a speech to the twelve apostles, Jesus adds: ²⁷ "But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."

Transfiguration means a change of form or appearance. For Luke the Transfiguration is a prayer event, Jesus in union with the Father. Luke 9:28-36

Mountains are symbolic of God's revelation to man. God gives the mountain-top experience to sustain us as we journey with Him more closely on the road ahead.
A mountain-top experience is a state of extreme happiness that is through the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s a place that God allows us to be in for certain time. The benefits are to bring one to a place of joy, excitement in the Lord and a longing for more of God.

Jesus before His passion and death revealed the resurrection to His disciples on Mount Tabor. Jesus leads Peter, James and John up a high mountain. It is a privilege given to the three - Jesus was suddenly transformed before their very eyes in glistening white and was in the presence of Moses and Elijah. (White=symbol of Divinity, purity, holiness).

On the mountain the three Apostles see the glory of God’s Kingdom shining out of Jesus. Moses (the giver of the Law) and Elijah (the greatest of the Old Testament Prophets), appeared at the Transfiguration. In the conversation—they see the 'power' of the Kingdom that is in Christ"

Moses and Elijah ‘spoke of His departure, which He was to accomplish at Jerusalem’ pointing forward to the Messiah and His sufferings. Jesus is the fulfilment of the law and all what the prophets had foretold.

Glory=Jerusalem. No Suffering=No Glory.

This prompted Peter to suggest that the disciples set up three tents for them and Jesus. The fact that Peter's suggestion occurs when Moses and Elijah are preparing to depart reveals a desire to prolong the experience of glory. Peter fails to call Jesus “Lord” but “Master”. Peter was clearly swept up in untold joy! Jesus glowed as He would after the resurrection. Peter wanted that experience to go on. But Moses and Elijah vanished.

Peter misses the point and wants to stay on the mountain. As a seeming rebuke of this, God the Father, glorified His Son revealing Himself in the bright cloud which overshadowed them and they were afraid,  And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” Luke 9:35 = John 2:5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 
Also confirms, “The Christ of God.” Luke 9:20 (Peter's words)

2 Peter 1:17-18 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

• Transfiguration was necessary to help the Apostles recognize the divinity of Jesus, His union with the Father and the Spirit as well as with the prophets of the Old Testament-(The Word). 
• Transfiguration appears as a preparation and strengthening for the disciples to face the coming passion and death of Jesus on the Cross, when His glory seems most unseen. 
• This is a foretaste of the glory that will be theirs in the Father’s kingdom and it will see them through the ‘terrible’ days when Jesus undergoes His passion and death and when they themselves are persecuted in His name.

REFLECTION:-No one can stay on the mountaintop forever, for there are responsibilities in the valley. After their divine experience the three Apostles come down to the reality of the evil in the world. Jesus fulfilled His life’s work in the valley. It was here He was truly and completely the Messiah.

Moses experienced disappointment when coming down from Mount Sinai only to see the people worshipping a golden calf. Jesus also experienced disappointment at the lack of faith in the people and His disciples.

Without the Risen Christ, Transfiguration has no meaning. But the Resurrection confirms the glory that was shown during the transfiguration and which rightly belongs to Jesus. 

Jesus invites us—to journey with Him into life’s valleys-down, to the Crucifixion. Death precedes Resurrection! For Jesus it was the journey to the Cross.

Jesus came down. God in Christ came down to be with us. God is with us and for us! Matthew 28:20, “I am with you always, to the close of the age.” 

God never forces His presence on anyone….…..desire Him…..

Let Him take us to……the mountaintop!

Written as guided by the Holy-Spirit and as explained by Fr. Ashlyn with notes included – Bible Class.

Thank You, Abba Father.
Thank You, Jesus.
Thank You, Holy Spirit.