What Will It Take?
This morning our men studied Luke's account of the Transfiguration in Luke 9:27-36. We tried to imagine what Peter, James, and John saw on the mountain as Jesus was changed before their eyes and met with Moses and Elijah. It was a fantastic revelation of the glory of God, and a marvelous proof of life after death. Jesus gave these three leaders a unique glimpse into the Kingdom of God so they could remember it for years to come.
However, the main question I asked the men was, "What difference did it seem to make in their lives immediately? Jesus' face and clothes were glowing brightly, whiter than any earthly material. He was speaking to Moses and Elijah, two of their greatest heroes of the faith. They were talking about Jesus' coming death and departure back to heaven. We might think that they would be so overwhelmed with the glory of God that their lives were instantly changed forever, but that did not happen. In fact, Peter missed the point completely when he wanted to make three tabernacles and stay on the mountain for a while. God had to speak to them directly and command them to listen to Jesus. It was not about basking in God's glory. It was about following Jesus as Lord of all in the real world of every day life.
What is it going to take to get us to that point? Most likely it will not be a big one time event like the Transfiguration was for these men. We have to come to the personal commitment to walk faithfully with Jesus every day and listen to Him, no matter what is going on around us. The big events of our lives contribute to this decision, but they do not cause it to happen automatically. We have a choice to make. Jesus is either Lord of all, or He is not Lord, at all. It took a lot more before the disciples came to that point. What will it take for us to get there?
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 3-5.
However, the main question I asked the men was, "What difference did it seem to make in their lives immediately? Jesus' face and clothes were glowing brightly, whiter than any earthly material. He was speaking to Moses and Elijah, two of their greatest heroes of the faith. They were talking about Jesus' coming death and departure back to heaven. We might think that they would be so overwhelmed with the glory of God that their lives were instantly changed forever, but that did not happen. In fact, Peter missed the point completely when he wanted to make three tabernacles and stay on the mountain for a while. God had to speak to them directly and command them to listen to Jesus. It was not about basking in God's glory. It was about following Jesus as Lord of all in the real world of every day life.
What is it going to take to get us to that point? Most likely it will not be a big one time event like the Transfiguration was for these men. We have to come to the personal commitment to walk faithfully with Jesus every day and listen to Him, no matter what is going on around us. The big events of our lives contribute to this decision, but they do not cause it to happen automatically. We have a choice to make. Jesus is either Lord of all, or He is not Lord, at all. It took a lot more before the disciples came to that point. What will it take for us to get there?
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 3-5.