Matthew’s Golden Nuggets
Matthew’s gospel is filled with nuggets of truth for anyone willing to search for them.
His account of Jesus being transfigured (Matthew 17:1-8) carries a number of crucial contrasts to his account of Jesus being crucified (Matthew 27:33-54)
The transfiguration takes place on a small mountain; the cross is set up on a large hill.
In the transfiguration Jesus is revealed in glory; at the cross Jesus is revealed in shame.
In the transfiguration Jesus’ clothes are shining brilliantly; at the cross they are stripped off Him and gambled for by soldiers.
In the transfiguration Jesus is surrounded by two men, Moses and Elijah, representing man’s obedience to God through the Law and the Prophets; at the cross Jesus is surrounded by two thieves, representing the degradation of humanity in rebellion to God.
At the transfiguration a bright cloud overshadows them; at the cross darkness covers the land.
At the transfiguration Peter gloats how wonderful Jesus is; at the cross Peter hides in shame denying he even knows Jesus.
At the transfiguration God Himself declares Jesus His Son; at the cross it is left to a frightened Roman soldier to make the same astounding statement.
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