Glimpse Of Glory
"And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.” ~ Mark 9 vs 2 - 13 (ESV)
This is also found in Matthew 17 vs 1 - 8
In these verses Jesus unveiled his true self - God incarnate. Revealing himself in that manner had a specific purpose. The three men who were with him namely Peter, James and John would not only see but also experience Christ in his truest form as God. Everyone knew him as just a miracle worker and a good teacher. But to transform himself in front of them, gave them a different perspective on whom he really is and all that he said of himself regarding the scriptures must be true.
And as if that wasn't enough, Moses and Elijah appeared talking with the Lord. These men were two of the legends of Israel's history. One was one of the greatest leaders who led the people of Israel from a place of bondage in Egypt to freedom in the promised land. The other, one of the greatest prophets who had slain 450 prophets of the false god known as baal and asked the Lord to stop rain for three and a half years and then again to open up the heavens for a downpour. These men did many more exploits for God. But the fact that the Lord spoke to these men shows the splendor of his absolute magnificent glory. It is significant that Moses and Elijah appeared here because Moses represents the 'Law' and Elijah 'the prophets', because in all of scripture both the law and the prophets point to Jesus. All of scripture is fulfilled in him.
When it comes to his glory, we must understand that his glory isn't just something that shone on the outside as if it was something reflected or even deflected for that matter. His glory came from within himself, from the inside out. That's how we get the word 'Transfiguration', which in the greek is the english word 'Metamorphosis'. His glory radiated from his entire being. He is glorious.
This is also found in Matthew 17 vs 1 - 8
In these verses Jesus unveiled his true self - God incarnate. Revealing himself in that manner had a specific purpose. The three men who were with him namely Peter, James and John would not only see but also experience Christ in his truest form as God. Everyone knew him as just a miracle worker and a good teacher. But to transform himself in front of them, gave them a different perspective on whom he really is and all that he said of himself regarding the scriptures must be true.
And as if that wasn't enough, Moses and Elijah appeared talking with the Lord. These men were two of the legends of Israel's history. One was one of the greatest leaders who led the people of Israel from a place of bondage in Egypt to freedom in the promised land. The other, one of the greatest prophets who had slain 450 prophets of the false god known as baal and asked the Lord to stop rain for three and a half years and then again to open up the heavens for a downpour. These men did many more exploits for God. But the fact that the Lord spoke to these men shows the splendor of his absolute magnificent glory. It is significant that Moses and Elijah appeared here because Moses represents the 'Law' and Elijah 'the prophets', because in all of scripture both the law and the prophets point to Jesus. All of scripture is fulfilled in him.
When it comes to his glory, we must understand that his glory isn't just something that shone on the outside as if it was something reflected or even deflected for that matter. His glory came from within himself, from the inside out. That's how we get the word 'Transfiguration', which in the greek is the english word 'Metamorphosis'. His glory radiated from his entire being. He is glorious.
As much as Jesus revealed himself to them in this way, he was also showing how he will be returning again soon. In all of his majesty and power he will be coming back in the same way, full of Glory. For we must remember that after this particular incident it was then that our Lord began to speak of all the things that should take place leading up to his death on the cross and even more so, to his resurrection.
With glory must also come power. Not the kind of power that many hunger after but the kind of power that declares him as the the sovereign creator of the universe. That no matter how much power man obtains in a lifetime, it's not even worth a drop in the ocean compared to the powerful display of the Lord's glory when he returns. Man has only power to take away life but God's holy power has the enormous ability to give life, even life into eternity. His glory will surely display his incomparable power. We too can experience his glory even if it's only but a glimpse and that would be more than enough for this lifetime for complete transformation in our lives.
I sincerely hope that all who profess to love and serve the Lord will experience his glory in their lives. That all would see an open heaven over their lives.
Like the three disciples who experienced his glory in all beauty. They had but one problem and that was that they had no idea how to respond and that's why Peter responded the way he did when he asked to build shelters for Moses, Elijah and the Lord Jesus himself. Peter was stunned. May we be more than that. To some, to those who don't believe, they will be stunned by his glory at his return.
But to us who do believe, may we respond in worship and honour. May we glorify him by declaring his praises and matchless worth to the ends of the earth.
My prayer that as you read this, it would become your prayer too. That you would catch a glimpse of his eternal glory in your life and that would spur you on to things that have more value than earthly possession.
Experience His Glory.
Blessings,
Shane
With glory must also come power. Not the kind of power that many hunger after but the kind of power that declares him as the the sovereign creator of the universe. That no matter how much power man obtains in a lifetime, it's not even worth a drop in the ocean compared to the powerful display of the Lord's glory when he returns. Man has only power to take away life but God's holy power has the enormous ability to give life, even life into eternity. His glory will surely display his incomparable power. We too can experience his glory even if it's only but a glimpse and that would be more than enough for this lifetime for complete transformation in our lives.
I sincerely hope that all who profess to love and serve the Lord will experience his glory in their lives. That all would see an open heaven over their lives.
Like the three disciples who experienced his glory in all beauty. They had but one problem and that was that they had no idea how to respond and that's why Peter responded the way he did when he asked to build shelters for Moses, Elijah and the Lord Jesus himself. Peter was stunned. May we be more than that. To some, to those who don't believe, they will be stunned by his glory at his return.
But to us who do believe, may we respond in worship and honour. May we glorify him by declaring his praises and matchless worth to the ends of the earth.
My prayer that as you read this, it would become your prayer too. That you would catch a glimpse of his eternal glory in your life and that would spur you on to things that have more value than earthly possession.
Experience His Glory.
Blessings,
Shane
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thepassionatebeliever@gmail.com
thepassionatebeliever@gmail.com
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