What Jesus Did! 'It Is Good To Be Here!' — Matthew 17:2-8

Monday, August 11, 2025

As [Peter, James, and John] watched, Jesus' appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.

Peter exclaimed, "Lord, it's wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I'll make three shelters as memorials — one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him." The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.

Then Jesus came over and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus.

— Matthew 17:2-8 NLT

Key Thought

"Listen to him!" With Moses and Elijah present, it's hard for Peter, James, and John to believe that someone who is greater than these Old Testament leaders were, someone who is a better teacher than they were, is there among them. But Elijah and Moses pale in importance when compared to Jesus. So as Jesus' disciples move in to worship these great Old Testament figures, they disappear and the disciples are left with Jesus to lead and guide them in the ways of God. When God gets the disciples' attention, he helps them realize they are in the presence of his Son and there is no one besides Jesus himself who can reveal God's truth. They must listen to him! So must we!

Today's Prayer

Holy God, teach me to not run after every rumored good teacher, but to keep my eyes focused on Jesus, his glory, and his truth. Help me use him as the standard by which I measure my teachers' truth. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

7 Related Resources by Heartlight

A Great Moment!
Article by Tom Norvell
When's the last time you had a great moment with God? God provides us with some incredible moments of grace and joy if we will notice them!
Matthew 17:5
Devo: Today's Verse
"A bright cloud enveloped them [Peter, James, John, and Jesus,] and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen..."
Heavenly affirmation
Illustration of Matthew 17:5
Inspirational illustration of Matthew 17:5 -- A bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"
Coming Down from the Mountain
Article by Mike Barres
Can you be as faithful at the foot of the mountain as you are at the summit? We can't always be on the mountain top, sometimes we face the valleys and must be faithful at the foot of the mountain.
See All 7 Related Resources about Matthew 17:2-8

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 17:2-8 NLT — "Don't be afraid."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, August 11, 2025

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Astonishing Help!' (Acts 23:16-22)
"But Paul's nephew — his sister's son — heard of [the group of men who made a vow to kill Paul with an ambush on his way to the ruling council] and..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by T. S. Eliot:
"The greatest proof of Christianity for others is not how far a man can logically analyze his reasons for believing, but how far in practice he will stake his..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Trial by Fire'
"Dear Friends, Years before Peter wrote his short letter known as 1 Peter to My disciples, he was repeatedly persecuted. He regularly encountered..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Doubts Come During Crisis – Stay Faithful'
"The disciples of John the Baptist told John about everything Jesus was doing. So John called for two of his disciples, and he sent them to the Lord to..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!