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The Literal Fear of God

Text: Matthew 17 : 1 - 13

The experience of hearing God speak must have created a deep impression on the hearts of the disciples! If ever there is a literal fear of the Lord, this must be it!

“And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces
and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them
and said, ‘Arise, and do not be afraid.’
When they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one
but Jesus only.”
MATTHEW 17:6-7

1. When fear is good

Who would not be afraid when he hears the majestic voice of God? The disciples’ reaction of fear for God is not something intrinsically bad at all. Jesus did not rebuke them for their fear of the Lord, whereas He spoke sternly to them when they were fearful in a storm (Cf. Matthew 8:23-27)

2. Calming of the fears

Jesus however did not want this fear to degenerate to terror. That kind of excessive fear would not be healthy for the disciples! Thus with a quick word of assurance, He calmed the fears of the disciples.

Was the experience real? Yes! But that experience was not meant to last forever! Once the purpose of the event had been fulfilled, cessation of the said event takes place.

A STRICT COMMAND NOT TO SPEAK OF THE TRANSFIGURATION

By now, we are quite familiar with Jesus giving special and specific instructions concerning certain details.

1. Concerning the healing ministry

“See that you tell no one…” Matthew 8:4(To a leper)

“See that no one knows it…” Matthew 9:30(To two blind men)

2. Concerning the issue of “The Christ”

“Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.” Matthew 16:20

3. Concerning the vision of The Transfiguration

“Jesus commanded them, saying, ‘Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” Matthew 17:9

Jesus had His reasons not to have certain things disclosed (Cf. See comments made in relevant chapters). There were always deeper reasons that He sometimes did not reveal or explain to His disciples. This was part of their training programme. They would discover the wisdom of His words in due time. They must learn to trust more sublimely.

DISCUSSION CONCERNING THE COMING OF ELIJAH BEFORE MESSIAH!

The discussion of Elijah was probably triggered by the vision where he appeared with Moses. Though Jesus had already declared that John the Baptiser was the Elijah to come as foretold by Malachi, the disciples nevertheless brought this issue up again. Obviously, they had not fully comprehended what Jesus had said earlier (Cf. Matthew 16:11).

“And His disciples asked Him, saying,
‘Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’
Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Indeed, Elijah is coming first
and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come
already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever
they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer
at their hands.’ Then the disciples understood that He spoke to
them of John the Baptist.”
MATTHEW 17:10-13

“Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

The disciples of Jesus were not able to answer the theological query of the scribes. They were sending confusing signals to people. They were raising theological objections as to why people should not regard Jesus as the Messiah. Perhaps to some extent, these thoughts affected the disciples, so that there were lingering doubts as to whether Jesus was indeed the Messiah!

Jesus affirmed that Elijah must first appear! The Scriptures cannot be broken! However, He maintained that Elijah had already come! The problem was that the people did not recognize him as the Elijah-in-spirit! John the Baptiser was beheaded by Antipas I (Cf. Matthew 14:1-12). It took this second explanation from Jesus before the disciples understood that Jesus was equating John with Elijah!

“Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands”

Once again, Jesus brought up the subject of His suffering! One moment, the disciples were elated that they had seen a special vision – The Transfiguration of Jesus. The next moment, they heard Jesus speaking to them of His suffering. Did Jesus really mean that He too would die at the hands of their enemies? Would He indeed suffer the same fate as John the Baptiser?

STILL STRUGGLING!

The disciples were still struggling in their hearts and mind concerning Jesus as the Christ, confessions of faith notwithstanding! How badly they needed to have their faith firmly established! Do we not have a similar need?