But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. (Matthew 17:7,8)
Power is scary. I once saw a space shuttle engine being tested. Terrifying. I have seen lightning split a tree into splinters. Terrifying. I have known anger to transform a man from a gentle, kind friend into an immovable adversary. Terrifying. I have heard about national governments controlling masses of people with a word or two. Terrifying.
But I have never observed what the disciples saw on a high mountain. Great Biblical men, long dead, appearing and chatting with Jesus. This was supernatural power. Because somehow the disciples KNEW who Elijah and Moses were. Because both Elijah and Moses had been taken into God’s presence in mysterious ways, according to Scripture ( II Kings 2:11 and Deuteronomy 34:6) and were now HERE. Because Elijah and Moses were prophets who had spoken and written about the Messiah-to-come… and now they were with Him!
Power is scary. It is no surprise that the disciples fell down in fear.
But the power they had observed was narrowly focused on Jesus. Elijah and Moses were on the mountain only because of Jesus. God was blurring death only because of Jesus. God was providing prophetic continuity only because of Jesus.
When Jesus rebukes their fear, they listen.
Somehow, Jesus, while the reason behind their fear, was also fear’s solution.
It works that way for us, too. Jesus is God and therefor providentially acting even in the most terrifying parts of our troubles. He is also the solution. Thinking about Jesus provides context for what scares us. Reading about Jesus provides confidence in Him. Praying to Him provides the power of God, focused on our situation.
I like the way Matthew describes it. When they looked up from their position cowering on the ground, they only saw Jesus. Not only because apparently Elijah and Moses were gone, but because the calming Words of Jesus reminded them that looking at Jesus is a grand thing.
They only had eyes for Him, in fact.
Fear not, because of Jesus.