Luke and the Lost

We put up memorials all the time for those who have died, for milestones in the lives of pioneers, for special moments when incredible things happened that we want to remember. Now, photos and all kinds of media mark special moments. When the memorials become the “thing” worshiped, we have a problem. It is good to remember, but maybe somethings they need to be just that, a memory that makes a smile.

I remember a memorial that was held in high esteem at a church we served. It was dusted and polished more often than anything else at the church. The cloth around it kept clean and fresh. Kids were reprimanded if they touched it. It only had meaning for those older folks who had the experience of why the memorial was made. Mm.

Let’s see what God has to say about memorials when Peter, John and James have the experience of their lives…seeing Jesus, God’s Son in all His glory on the mountain top…along with Moses and Elijah.

Jesus in His Glory
28-31 About eight days after saying this, he climbed the mountain to pray, taking Peter, John, and James along. While he was in prayer, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes became blinding white. At once two men were there talking with him. They turned out to be Moses and Elijah—and what a glorious appearance they made! They talked over his exodus, the one Jesus was about to complete in Jerusalem.

32-33 Meanwhile, Peter and those with him were slumped over in sleep. When they came to, rubbing their eyes, they saw Jesus in his glory and the two men standing with him. When Moses and Elijah had left, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, this is a great moment! Let’s build three memorials: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He blurted this out without thinking.

34-35 While he was babbling on like this, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them. As they found themselves buried in the cloud, they became deeply aware of God. Then there was a voice out of the cloud: “This is my Son, the Chosen! Listen to him.”

36 When the sound of the voice died away, they saw Jesus there alone. They were speechless. And they continued speechless, said not one thing to anyone during those days of what they had seen.

Our first human reaction, like Peter’s first thought, is to take a picture, build a memorial, so that we can “see and touch” the moment again and again. But when we do that, we miss the point OF the moment. God envelopes them. They become DEEPLY AWARE of GOD, HIMSELF! God reminds them of the main focus of their lives. “This is my Son, the Chosen! LISTEN TO HIM”. Get past the moment!

We cannot let moments in time be praised. We must live deeply aware of God every day. We must listen to Him through His Word. We must live expectantly for the next moments in time, always looking for where God is and how He works and be alert for when He calls us to join Him. We must LISTEN TO HIM. The past is…the past. Leave it there. Don’t worship the past. Look forward, with focus for today. Enjoy special moments but move on. They are there to encourage us.

Dear Heavenly Father, There is much more to this passage, but I am encouraged by what I am hearing you say to me today. Thank you for special moments in our lives that encourage our walk with You. Keep us alert to those times when we become stuck in past moments, even worshiping them at times, and glorying in thoughts of the “old days”. We even embellish the old days sometimes…for this we repent. We trust You. We are deeply aware of You. Continue to be with us.
In Jesus Name, Amen