|
Matthew 17:1-9 – And after six days Jesus took with Him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If You wish, I will make three tents here, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 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. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”
I love this story when, for the first time, the disciples get a good long look at Jesus in glory. What a shock it must have been for them! Here was their Friend and Teacher, who had been sleeping by the side of the road with them on so many trips. He cooked for them; He taught them while they were walking down the road; no doubt they heard Him snore when He was catching catnaps in the boat on the Sea of Galilee. But now they see Him in glory—and they’re spooked.
Peter is the first to get his words back. Of course he is! And he’s super impressed by their heavenly visitors, Moses and Elijah. Of course he wants to honor them! In fact, he wants to put all three of them on the same level, with a tent for each—Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. And that’s his big mistake—because when Jesus is there, nothing and nobody else matters. Even the voice from the cloud agrees, when God says, “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him!”
And that’s the last straw for the disciples’ nerves. They hit the dust, face down, terrified—and it takes Jesus touching them before they can get over it. But Jesus does touch them—because He loves them, as He always has loved them. “Get up,” He says, “and don’t be afraid.” And when they do, they see Jesus only.
And that’s what we see, too—Jesus only. Who cares about the great men, the leaders, the teachers of this world? Give me Jesus. Give me the One who loves me so much He came down from heaven to be my Savior, to give His life for me. Give me the One who rose from the dead, and promises to raise me one day by that same power. Give me the One who cares when I’m afraid—and comes to help me, every time. Give me Jesus.
WE PRAY: Lord, You are the One I want. Let me never lose You. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
- We know how the disciples felt. How do you think Moses and Elijah felt, to meet Jesus that day?
- Why do you think God sent them, and not some other famous person like David or Abraham?
- When you’re afraid, how do you ask God for help? Do you get it?
|
