The Transfiguration
Devotional
Holy Moments
A Study Of Burning Bush Experiences
Object:
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his
brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And
he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun,
and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to
them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to
Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will
make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one
for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud
overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my
Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!"
When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were
overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get
up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no
one except Jesus himself alone.
-- Matthew 17:1-8
Why can't certain things last forever! Some experiences are so good and so holy that it seems to us that God might want to hold that moment forever! After all, it would be a Holy Moment we would be enjoying. It's not like we are asking for a perpetual birthday party, or an endless vacation! We would love the Holy Moment of events like the Transfiguration to last forever. But the Lord knows better. He moves time along -- and with time he moves us along as well.
Peter, James, and John (the three privileged disciples who accompanied Jesus on other special assignments such as keeping watch for Jesus as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane) followed Jesus up a mountain. Once isolated from the clamor of the crowds and the attacks by the religious power-structures, something very holy happened. Jesus was transfigured before them. Jesus' face shone like the sun; even his clothes became dazzlingly white. As if that were not enough, suddenly two of the greatest Old Testament prophets, Moses and Elijah, appeared with Jesus in this Holy Moment of heavenly revelation.
Let's not be too hard on Peter. He spoke what James and John were probably thinking (and what you and I would also be thinking at that moment). This is good, Lord. We like this. This is a far cry better than fighting the crowds down in the valley. Let's make this moment and this mountain the command post for the Kingdom! If you wish, Lord, I will make three houses, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah, and we can just stay up here and coordinate the Kingdom from here!
Once in a while two Holy Moments occur in rapid succession. Such happened here. Just at the end of the miracle of the Transfiguration, a cloud overshadowed them and God's voice boomed from Heaven, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!"
Peter, James, and John fell prostrate to the ground. Perhaps they were thinking thoughts that have filled my mind when I have put forth my plans without first listening to Jesus!
Have you ever noticed what happened next? When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. It's not that Moses and Elijah disappeared and it's not that the view from the mountain top was obscured. Rather, after the Holy Moments of the Transfiguration and God's Word spoken from the clouds, they now saw Jesus more clearly. That often happens after Holy Moments!
Questions
1. When was the last time you got so excited about some Christian ministry program that you set out to accomplish it without first consulting with (praying to) the Lord?
2. When was the last time God's Word corrected your thought on a matter?
3. When was the last time God led you back to the valley to labor among God's people rather than to remain forever in a prayer closet or spiritual retreat?
Prayer
Dear Lord, we praise and thank You that You know best what we need and what our world needs. Please give us such glimpses of Your coming Kingdom and Holiness that we are fed and strengthened to listen to and obey Your Word as we labor and witness in the valleys of life. One more thing, Lord: please keep our eyes fixed on You. Amen.
-- Matthew 17:1-8
Why can't certain things last forever! Some experiences are so good and so holy that it seems to us that God might want to hold that moment forever! After all, it would be a Holy Moment we would be enjoying. It's not like we are asking for a perpetual birthday party, or an endless vacation! We would love the Holy Moment of events like the Transfiguration to last forever. But the Lord knows better. He moves time along -- and with time he moves us along as well.
Peter, James, and John (the three privileged disciples who accompanied Jesus on other special assignments such as keeping watch for Jesus as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane) followed Jesus up a mountain. Once isolated from the clamor of the crowds and the attacks by the religious power-structures, something very holy happened. Jesus was transfigured before them. Jesus' face shone like the sun; even his clothes became dazzlingly white. As if that were not enough, suddenly two of the greatest Old Testament prophets, Moses and Elijah, appeared with Jesus in this Holy Moment of heavenly revelation.
Let's not be too hard on Peter. He spoke what James and John were probably thinking (and what you and I would also be thinking at that moment). This is good, Lord. We like this. This is a far cry better than fighting the crowds down in the valley. Let's make this moment and this mountain the command post for the Kingdom! If you wish, Lord, I will make three houses, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah, and we can just stay up here and coordinate the Kingdom from here!
Once in a while two Holy Moments occur in rapid succession. Such happened here. Just at the end of the miracle of the Transfiguration, a cloud overshadowed them and God's voice boomed from Heaven, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!"
Peter, James, and John fell prostrate to the ground. Perhaps they were thinking thoughts that have filled my mind when I have put forth my plans without first listening to Jesus!
Have you ever noticed what happened next? When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. It's not that Moses and Elijah disappeared and it's not that the view from the mountain top was obscured. Rather, after the Holy Moments of the Transfiguration and God's Word spoken from the clouds, they now saw Jesus more clearly. That often happens after Holy Moments!
Questions
1. When was the last time you got so excited about some Christian ministry program that you set out to accomplish it without first consulting with (praying to) the Lord?
2. When was the last time God's Word corrected your thought on a matter?
3. When was the last time God led you back to the valley to labor among God's people rather than to remain forever in a prayer closet or spiritual retreat?
Prayer
Dear Lord, we praise and thank You that You know best what we need and what our world needs. Please give us such glimpses of Your coming Kingdom and Holiness that we are fed and strengthened to listen to and obey Your Word as we labor and witness in the valleys of life. One more thing, Lord: please keep our eyes fixed on You. Amen.
