God puts certain people in our lives for His purposes.  I am recalling all the mentors of all ages, over the course of my life that God gave to me.  I thank God for these people.  These people came at just the right time to encourage, challenge, comfort, and teach me so I would continue in my obedience to God. 

These mentors and friends pointed me to God’s greater plan when I was perplexed or confused.   They were people who relied on God’s wisdom so they showed me how to look at what I was going through with a new perspective which brought “ah-ha” moments of clarification of who I was in Jesus with what He was doing in and through me.  I cherish those believers who took time to listen to God, listen to me, and then advise in a spirit of love and truth.  They are gifts from God who molded and shaped my life.  These people are some of God’s gifts that keep on giving.

As I pray to understand God’s Word as He meant it to be, He helps me see yet another facet to this familiar passage of “the transfiguration” of Jesus and prompts more questions:

Did God lead Jesus to the mountain top to gift Jesus with encouragement? 

Did God send Moses and Elijah from heaven with words of encouragement and comfort to Jesus, Son of Man/Son of God, for Jesus’ coming days of trials, suffering and sacrifice? Imagine coaches reminding you of the end game at half-time!

God’s glory is revealed and enveloped His Son.  God’s glory blinded the eyes of Jesus’ disciples. Did God do this to remind Jesus’ core disciples of Jesus’ authority and power on earth as well as heaven—the Kingdom of God?  “This is My Son, marked by My love, focus of My delight. Listen to him.”

Matthew 17, The Message

Sunlight Poured from His Face

^1-3 Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him.

⁴ Peter broke in, “Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain—one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?”

⁵ While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.”

^6-8 When the disciples heard it, they fell flat on their faces, scared to death. But Jesus came over and touched them. “Don’t be afraid.” When they opened their eyes and looked around all they saw was Jesus, only Jesus.

⁹ Coming down the mountain, Jesus swore them to secrecy. “Don’t breathe a word of what you’ve seen. After the Son of Man is raised from the dead, you are free to talk.”

¹⁰ The disciples, meanwhile, were asking questions. “Why do the religion scholars say that Elijah has to come first?”

^11-13 Jesus answered, “Elijah does come and get everything ready. I’m telling you, Elijah has already come but they didn’t know him when they saw him. They treated him like dirt, the same way they are about to treat the Son of Man.” That’s when the disciples realized that all along he had been talking about John the Baptizer.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

While Peter, awestruck, babbles on; the Voice of God speaks: “Listen to Him.”  Peter, do not miss the point of this holy moment!  This is gift from God that will keep on giving.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  “Listen to Him” the One and Only, who will die and rise again for your sins and the sins of the whole world.

I wonder how many holy moments I miss while babbling on about things of earth I do not understand?

As God’s glorification and transfiguration dissipates like fog when the sun rises on the mountaintop, the fear-filled Peter, James, and John finally look up and see Jesus—only Jesus.  Mm, camp on that thought for a bit.  When all is said and done—Jesus remains.  Listen to Him.  Jesus is our gift from God that keeps on giving—eternally.

Peter stopped babbling about his idea to build monuments to glorify this special monumental moment to just be still, glorify and worship only Jesus, Son of God.  

Believe and be saved.  Be still and “Listen to Him.”  

Lord,

I am listening.  Jesus you are indeed the Way to Truth which never changes.  You are our gift of grace from God our Father who gives us eternal life.  I love to see your glory at work in my life and in the lives of others who believe you. 

I love listening to you in the quiet of our first hour of the day together.  I love you, Lord with all my heart, mind, and soul.  Your teaching helps me see the many facets of life with you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Remove from me all that offends you.  Fill me with your Holy Spirit.  Holy moments are knowing that you abide in us as we abide in you.

In Jesus Name, Amen

O soul are you weary and troubled
No light in the darkness you see
There’s light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace