I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Memory of the month: And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" —Luke 24:32
Today's reading: 1 SAMUEL 7-9 LUKE 9:18-36
Being There
They call it 'the Mount of Transfiguration'. Today's reading in Luke 9 records this:(28)...he(Jesus) took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.
Peter, John, and James were tired. It was exhausting traveling with Jesus. They walked all the time and sometimes many miles a day. So when Jesus stopped to pray, it was probably easy for the men to fall asleep.(We see it later on in the Garden. Matthew 26:40-He returned and found them sleeping)
But-in a flash, they were awakened fully to see Jesus, glowing, talking to Moses and Elijah.
When they were finished and Moses and Elijah were leaving, the human in Peter came out. (Human beings seem always to think they have to add something to what God has done-maybe to prove they had a part in the miraculous-consider all our buildings and statues in the name of Christendom.) Peter wanted to build shelters-monuments of a sort, maybe. Whatever, God did not think it necessary.
“This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”(Luke 9:35)
Peter was not 'there' yet. Yes, he was on the mount and saw the miraculous but he did not yet see the gravity of it all. He had been at one of the greatest moments in Bible history and all he could think of was building a monument.
>Jesus, Moses, and Elijah spoke of Jesus' departure(His crucifixion). We must assume Peter heard this because it is recorded in scripture.
Peter had witnessed the whole of the meeting and wanted to build three huts.
The message for us is that when we stop and find the place alone with God to pray-we are in the presence of the same power that was present that day. When we walk this earth with our minds trained on God, we are in the presence of His same power-the same as always. God does not change.
Peter learned. He learned that being there meant much more than seeing. Being there means listening, feeling, absorbing, loving...not denying.
Jesus was not there for Moses and Elijah; they were there for Him.
What does 'being there' mean to us-to you?
Jesus is there, today, for us. He is right here. Are we there for Him or do we expect Him to be there for us?
We just need to be there for Him. He will always be there for us.
...because He loves us...
Oh God,
Forgive me for coming to you with selfish thoughts but thank You for meeting me in the middle of my needs. Thank You for always being there.
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