THE TRANSFIGURATION
Matthew 17: After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John up a mountain, where Jesus was transfigured. His face shone like the sun and His face became white as light and there appeared before them Moses and Elijah who engaged in a conversation with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus that it was good for them to be there and he suggested he build a shelter for them. As he spoke a cloud enveloped them and a voice in verse 5 said, “This is my Son whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him.” The disciples were terrified at the voice, but Jesus told them not to be afraid. He then took them down the mountain and told them not to talk about what they had seen until after He was resurrected from the dead.
The disciples queried Jesus about the fact that Elijah was supposed to come first and He said he already has. As a matter of fact he came and they treated him as they treated Jesus, while not recognizing who he was. Then they understood He was talking to them about John the Baptist.
A man approached them and he asked Jesus to heal his son of demon possession, as he had already asked the disciples but they could not. Jesus agreed to heal his son and when He did the disciples asked Him why they couldn’t? Jesus replied ”Because you have so little faith…” As a matter of fact He told them that if they had faith as little as a mustard seed they would be able to move mountains, and that nothing would be impossible for them to achieve. Jesus then told them of His death and resurrection and this grieved them.
When they arrived in Capernaum the tax collector asked Peter why Jesus didn’t pay the tax that citizens were obligated to pay. Jesus answered with a question to Peter pertaining to the fact that kings extorted taxes from everyone but their own sons. However He told Peter to pay the tax so as not to offend them. Of all people who should be exempt would be Jesus and the disciples.
What we read in the first few verses should be very exciting for the children of God; it appears that we will be able to recognize each other when we are in Heaven. WOW!
Do you have faith without doubt? That’s the kind of faith Jesus wants us to have and you know it shouldn’t be all that difficult, if we believe everything we read in the Bible. I know it is not easy to have that kind of faith but it is something we can all pray for. And while you’re at it why not pray for the greatest miracle of all (I’m speaking to those who have yet to ask Jesus into their hearts), the miracle of salvation? Yes indeed, folks, being born again is miraculous, it does take a very deep and committed faith in what Jesus is saying throughout the Gospels. The nice thing about this commitment to Jesus is that the changes in our life bear proof of this miracle as we continue to live and grow in Jesus. You pray and I’ll pray, too.
No comments:
Post a Comment