Connect Up: The Transfiguration (Part 2)
Richard Hardee, Associate Pastor | Head of School
Peter, James, and John had just witnessed the
transfiguration of Jesus and the appearance of Moses and Elijah with
Him. They were so awed that Peter immediately spoke up and proposed a plan
to build three tabernacles on the mountain; one for Jesus, one for Moses, and
another for Elijah. But in the middle of his proposal, a bright cloud
covered them and God's voice spoke from the cloud. God redirected their
focus back to His Son and commanded them to listen to Him.
All mountain top experiences, where we clearly see God move,
hear His voice, and sense His Divine Presence must come to an end. We must
eventually come down from the mountain. We have the natural tendency to
want to linger there with God and not have to return to our normal routine of
life. But an important truth we see from this passage shows that Jesus
comes down with us. We are not left alone to make our way or carry out His
work.
Another truth is found in verse 12 where Jesus explains to
Peter, James, and John that Elijah had already come but the scribes did not
recognize him. The disciples came to understand that Jesus was referring
to John the Baptist, His forerunner, who came in the power and spirit of
Elijah. The important message is that the scribes - the religious people
of the day - did not recognize what was taking place right before their
eyes. They had all the knowledge of what was to come, but their eyes and
minds were closed to the Truth.
Let us not be guilty of failing to recognize God's plan
unfolding before our eyes. May we have eyes wide open as we look up to Him
and seek to carry out His work in our day.
TWEETABLE QUOTE: Let us not be guilty of failing to recognize
God's plan unfolding before our eyes. #RareElements
