Matthew 17:8

What this episode covers

Sunday, 22 February 2026   When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. Matthew 17:8   “And having uplifted their eyes, they saw none, if not Jesus alone” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus came to the disciples who had been overwhelmed by the voice and events on the mountain, touching them and telling them to arise and not be afraid. It next says, “And having uplifted their eyes.”   A new word, epairó, to uplift, is seen. It is from epi, upon, and airó, to take up or away. It can be used literally, as in this verse, or it can be used figuratively, such as exalting oneself, etc. The disciples had fallen on their faces from fear. Once Jesus’ comforting touch and voice came, they uplifted their eyes and “they saw none, if not Jesus alone.”   Moses and Elijah were gone, and in whatever way the voice from the cloud was transmitted, there was nobody except Jesus to behold. The sudden removal of Moses and Elijah as soon as the voice had been uttered is instructional. Jesus and the message concerning Him are what are to be focused on. The Law and the Prophets had served their purpose and are now no longer what God is doing in the process of redemption.   Life application: If this short section concerning the events on the mountain is evaluated, the message it conveys is crystal clear. In Matthew 16:28, Jesus told the disciples that of those standing with Him, some would not see death until they saw the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.   Just a short time later, He took Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain where He metamorphosed before them. His countenance changed to brilliancy with radiating light. What does Paul say about the message of Christ? He explains it in 2 Corinthians 4 –   “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6   With His radiant countenance manifested, Moses and Elijah appeared and conversed with Him. As noted, Luke includes the note that their conversation was about Jesus’ coming death, which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.   At that time, Peter offered to build three tents to accommodate Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Tents are for dwelling in. But what was the divine response from the Father? It concerned hearing Jesus. The temporary tabernacling of Moses and Elijah was done. The new and eternal tabernacling with God is through Jesus –   “And I heard – voice great from the throne, saying, ‘You behold, the tabernacle [skéné], the God, with the men, and He will tabernacle [skénoó] with them, and they – peoples of Him, they will be, and He – the God with them, He will be, their God’” Revelation 21:3 (CG). After the voice, the men fell down terrified, but when Jesus came to reassure them, they looked up, and there was only Jesus. Jesus promised that there would be those who would see Him coming in His kingdom.   The kingdom is that of understanding who He is, meaning the God/Man in whom God tabernacles, and that the law only anticipated His coming. It is no longer what God is doing. The kingdom Jesus was referring to has arrived in the preaching of the gospel. It will be realized in those who receive it someday. Jesus’ words were not referring to an earthly kingdom during the millennium. That will occur, but it is not what is being referred to here.   “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13, 14   If your eyes are on law observance, you are missing the kingdom. Eyes on Jesus! The law is over. God wants us to focus our attention on what He has done through Jesus.   Lord God, thank You for the wonderful news of Jesus Christ. Through faith in Him, we are transferred to His kingdom and now have full and forever restoration with You. Thank You for this wonderful news. Yes,

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