Sermon Series: When Jesus Shows Up

Sermon – “When the Encounter Leads to Mission” - Matthew 17:1-9

Spiritual Encounters (vv. 1-2)

  • An invitation has been given to Peter, James, and John. They are invited up a mountain, which were a symbol of divine encounter in scripture. 

  • This invitation is for an intimacy with Christ that only comes through the spiritual encounters and our willingness to go. 

  • The Greek word for what happens to Jesus is ‘metaphorphosis.’ He changed in front of them and revealed so much more of who he is to them beyond his humanity. 

  • Their obedience to the invitation created an encounter that led to a deeper understanding of Jesus and his life. 

Coming Together (vv. 3-8)

  • The presence of Moses and Elijah is representative of all they would have understood historically as pieces to their history and understanding of Yahweh. All the disciples are experiencing is that these pieces are not separate but are coming into fullness in Jesus. 

  • The veil has been pulled back for them to see who Jesus has been all along. The invitation for them is to experience the holiness of God so that we may reflect it. 

  • The journey with Jesus is not about knowing about the historical Christ and being able to relay an answer about salvation (although that is important), it is about encountering Christ so we may become Christlike. 

  • Peter’s desire to build tabernacles is Peter’s attempt to “do something” of importance. Sometimes we try to capture spiritual moments rather than letting them capture us into becoming new people in the world. 

  • The holiness of God is a humbling experience. It leads us to recognition of our own weakness, and yet the voice of God invites them to listen and, like Jesus, follow no matter what may come, even in suffering. 

  • Their fear leads to the touch of Jesus, which reorients them into the present while holding to this encounter. 

Seeds of Mission (vv. 9)

  • Heading down the mountain, they are stepping into the relationships they know and work of following Jesus now looks different in their hearts and lives. 

  • This experience will have its place in the missional work that is coming, and for now, this experience ruminates and prepares for the future that is coming. 

  • Our encounters with Jesus are often the seeds of mission that are not meant to just serve as altars of remembrance, but as the works of God in us to be used for his missional purposes for the kingdom of Christ. 

(Resources provided by Douglas Hare, Stanley Hauerwas, RT France, Bruce Malina & ChatGPT)


Discussion Questions

  1. What have been some profound spiritual encounters you have had in your life? 

  2. How have those encounters been used for missional work in your life?

  3. What is a part of your life that may keep you from going up the mountain further than you are now?

  4. Do you think a lack of suffering (spiritual, not physical ailments or criticism) in our lives has hindered a deepened awareness of the depth of God in our lives? (We do not know suffering on the scale of persecution like many other followers do)

  5. How are you called to live out the encounters with Christ in your everyday life? Perhaps even this week?