Matthew 17:1-9

The gospel of Matthew reports that at the transfiguration of Jesus, the disciples fell face down to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid."

This story is also related in the gospels of Mark and Luke, and all three gospels report the fear of the disciples when a cloud came over and they heard a voice. However, only the gospel of Matthew tells us that Jesus touched and comforted them. In all three accounts Elijah and Moses appear and the clothes of Jesus become intensely white, but the gospel of Matthew alone reports a light from the cloud.

If Moses represents the law of the covenant and Elijah the prophets, then this story presents Jesus as the fulfillment of both. The gospel does not require keeping the law of Moses, because Jesus is the new law of love. And the gospel is not prophecy, because Jesus is the fulfillment of all the prophecies of ancient Israel. The good news is that God offers salvation to all who repent and trust in the power of love.

Grace and peace...Bob