Thursday, February 8, 2018
Matthew 17:1-7 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 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." While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," He said. "Don't be afraid."
DON'T BE AFRAID
The Super Bowl adds no value to your salvation and eternal life. But the transfiguration of Jesus does. You don't want to miss the BIG SHOW-- Jesus Christ revealed as the God-man. Not only revealed here towards the end of His Gospel mission, but at its beginning on the banks of the Jordan River, and throughout His earthly mission as He showed His divine nature in both His miraculous words and actions!
After the Super Bowl, whether or not you even watched it or care about it, we all go back to our regular lives. Quite the opposite of the Big Show we see with Jesus' disciples. But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," He said. "Don't be afraid." When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead" (Matthew 17:7-9).
It is only natural that the disciples, as sinful men, should be terrified at the sight and sound of God's voice from heaven. But as Moses and Elijah disappeared from sight, Jesus calmed their fears just as He does with any fears of our own. He is our Savior, our Brother, our greatest Friend. The transfiguration is so much more than Jesus "showing off" His power and glory, but rather He is showing off His amazing love for you and me in coming to this world. He came for you. He came to rescue you from your sin. He came to conquer death once and for all! He came as our Immanuel, "God with us." He came to touch us with His Word and remind us even in the face of death, "Don't be afraid."
