Show Don't Tell: Matthew 17:1-13

Imagine the rocky path winding up the side of a towering mountain, the air crisp and filled with the scent of pine. Peter, James, and John trail closely behind Jesus, their hearts racing with anticipation and a hint of fear. Dust clings to their sandals, and the weight of the world seems to lift with each step toward the heavens. As they ascend, the disciples steal glances at their teacher, whose demeanor is shifting, almost electric.

Upon reaching the summit, they pause to catch their breath, but nothing could prepare them for what comes next. Suddenly, as if a curtain has been pulled back from the sky, Jesus is transformed before their eyes. His face radiates a brilliance that rivals the sun at noon, while his garments gleam with an otherworldly whiteness, shimmering like freshly fallen snow in the morning light. It’s not just a glow; it’s a blazing light that penetrates their very souls, leaving them wide-eyed and trembling.

Then, as if conjured from the annals of history, Moses and Elijah appear, their figures majestic and familiar. They engage in spirited conversation with Jesus, the embodiment of the Law and the Prophets, who stands there fulfilling every promise whispered through the ages. Peter, overcome with awe and excitement, stumbles over his words: “Lord, it is good for us to be here! Let us build three shelters!” But before he can finish his thought, a cloud envelops them, thick and luminous, and from it resonates a voice that shakes the very core of the mountain: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Terrified, the disciples collapse to the ground, faces pressed into the dirt, hearts racing. In that moment of utter fear, they feel the gentle touch of Jesus, lifting them up, whispering, “Get up. Don’t be afraid.” As they rise, the brilliance fades, and they see only Jesus standing beside them, radiant yet familiar. As they begin their descent, the weight of this sacred moment lingers, and Jesus instructs them to keep silent about what they have witnessed until he is raised from the dead. Each step echoes with the promise of transformation, a reminder that they are now part of an unfolding story far greater than themselves.