1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
As a disciple of Jesus, I really want to do something for Jesus. Moreover, I’m in a good position as a leader of a local church to do something. I even get paid for doing something. People expect me to do something. And so like Peter, my good intentions of doing something often miss Jesus’ best intentions for me. I busy myself with activity which does produce something tangible for Jesus. I feel good – I did something for Jesus.
But Jesus is simply calling me to be with Him before doing something for Him. I often get it wrong. I hustle past Jesus so I can do something for Jesus. Today, right now, I’m stopping to marvel not only at the earthly Jesus but the Christ of eternity. Peter caught a glimpse of this Christ. Christ today is triumphant, supreme, exalted, holy, majestic (can’t be contained in human body) King of eternity. In the presence of this Christ is the beginning of my personal transformation – not my anxious activity.
Kurt Holm, Pastor
The Creek Church Community – Walnut Creek
What I’m reminded of here is that Jesus had chosen 12 disciples, but only 3 got to go with Him places the others did not and experience things the others did not. In this account, they got to see Him is His glory and the Kingdom break through into our realm. What an honor and a blessing for those with Him.
This morning as I go out to join You/Your work at the Delta Healing Rooms, I pray that we will see Your Glory break through in every room in which we are ministering. Thank You for the opportunities You give every one of us daily to “be led by You to ‘high places’ to experience Your glory.” May we desire to be “inner circle” disciples. Where You go, I’ll go.
Psalm 27:4
One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple.
I think Peter was in awe of the moment and wanted to be able to bring something to add to it. God tells him to listen to His Son. This is will serve him well in the situations God leads him into in the future. Instead of trying to build something for God, I’ll increase my time listening to Him, doing what He says. It took some time, but Peter sure figured it out.
Great word Dave!
To me this is a bookend to the baptism of Jesus, where his authority was confirmed to all. He has the authority, I need to listen. My challenge is to quit complaining (about whatever Satan prods me to complain about in that moment) and listen to Jesus. The only thing I can ever remember Jesus complaining about was a lack of faith. Have faith, listen. Those are my challenges and goals.
This is a gracious reminder for me to not get so caught up in certain majestic moments that I miss hearing His Majesty, Jesus. I love to bottle up and experience again those great moments with Jesus. Here, it seems, the Father is more concerned that my ear is always tuned toward the frequency of heaven and listening to what Jesus is saying. Today, I’m not going to do an activity, build or craft anything — simply focus on listening to the Beloved. And as Kurt said so well, that will change me and free me from “my anxious activity.”
I hear God saying to me, Sean create space for others to be on the mountain to listen to me. When they experience the goodness of hearing me they also will want to stay, build houses and say “it is good for us to be here.”
I hear a rest and work thing. I want to build something for Jesus, I want to be pleasing. My Father wants me to know who Jesus is even more than I do. He wants me to listen to Him. I am stopping my wanting to please by doing . . . at least for this afternoon. I am listening now.
Kurt,
Great word! I hear God telling me get to the “stuff” after you have spent time with me. It’s not about the stuff it is about knowing God’s heart and knowing him. Only then should I do the stuff.
Kurt,
Thanks. Great challenge, both on a personal level and on encouraging others to be with rather than “rushing” into service. On a further personal level, I’m hearing something about my tendency (like Peter on the mount)to look to “sources” (a new book, a favorite author, a memorable quote) rather than Jesus. I’m going to set aside the books and enjoy being with Him. He is here, present–and I will look forward to being with Him as I gather with “two or three” in His name tomorrow.