See only Jesus
In Matthew 17 we're told that Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain. I'm sure they had no idea what was in store for them. Perhaps they thought they were just going there to pray, as Jesus often went apart from the crowds and the other disciples to speak with his Father. But as they were up there by themselves the glory of God began to emanate from Jesus. He was transfigured. The Greek word translated "transfigured" is metamorphoo" from which we get our word "metamorphosis" which is used to describe what happens to a caterpillar inside a cocoon to change him into a butterfly. As the Light of the world, the light emanated from within himself. John 8:12
If this was not enough, Moses and Elijah appeared on the mountain. I have often wondered how Peter, James and John knew these men were Moses and Elijah as they had lived in a previous century. I think this was just a little foretaste of how it will be in heaven. We aren't going to need introductions. The account of the transfiguration in Luke says that Moses and Elijah were talking with Jesus about his departure which he was about to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem. Again, a little peak at what goes on in heaven. Moses and Elijah knew what was going to happen. Heaven was aware.
Peter, being his impetuous self, wanted to put up three shelters; one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah. I think he just wanted to camp out there for a long time. But God interrupted him and while he was still speaking a bright cloud came down and covered them and God, the Father, spoke from the cloud saying "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"
The disciples fell to the ground in fright, but Jesus touched them and told them to gt up. This is the part I wanted to get to. "When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus." The KJV says "They saw no man save Jesus, only." I think this is a key to living a successful Christian life." See no man, save Jesus only. In other words, keep your eyes upon Jesus.
There is no fault in Jesus. He lived perfectly sinless on this earth. If we are keeping our eyes on him, we have the best example we will ever need. Often times people get distracted by watching other people. Even the most saintly and godly people we know are not perfect and we can find fault in them. If we are using people as our example we are bound to be disappointed. Many people have turned away from following Jesus because some leader, preacher, pastor or evangelist didn't live the way they thought they should or even actually fell into sin. Their focus was on the wrong person. We should see no man, save Jesus only. He is the Truth, the Life and the Way. Let's not get distracted from following Jesus by what others do. If we see someone we have looked up to doing something we don't understand or even approve of, we should commit them to Jesus and focus our attention back on the one who emanates Light. As the Father said, "Listen to him!"
Jesus touches us, tells us to get up and shows us the way to live by focusing our attention on him. See no man save Jesus only.
Tomorrows Bible Reading - Genesis 19, Matthew 18, Nehemiah 8, Acts 18
God is good all the time,
Naomi Brinkman
1 comment:
Great blog, Naomi. I have also known many people who have fallen away because thier pastor or leader disapointed them. It is true that our eyes should never be fixed on an imperfect man to model our lives after, but the only perfect one - Jesus!
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