Transfiguration

 

    Jesus' power is known to us, but is still a mystery.  He changed so much after his baptism and continued to change until his ascension.  One of the most significant changes was his transfiguration.

    Jesus took a couple of apostles with him to a private place.  The chosen ones were Peter, James, and John.  All three would be pivotable for the first true church after Jesus' ascension.  When he transfigured, his face shined like the sun and his clothes became as white as light.  

    It was only the four of them were on the mountain when Jesus ascended, but they were suddenly met by two other figures: Elijah and Moses.  The pivotable people for the old church and holiness.  They came to talk with Jesus.  

    There is no telling what was going through the apostles heads or what they were feeling, but they took it in stride.  Maybe they had seen so much that this did not take them too much by surprise.  Peter always needed to be doing something, so he offered to create a shelter for all three of them: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.

    All of a sudden, there was the voice of God.  He spoke of His love for His son, Jesus.  This is when they became terrified.  It was more than anything any of them had ever experienced.  They fell to their faces and when they finally lifted their heads the two people had disappeared and Jesus was standing alone.  

    They went back down the mountain and as they went, Jesus ordered them to tell no one what they had seen.  As soon as they reached the bottom the people were there waiting for Jesus' miracle healings.  

    Jesus had left the other apostles behind to continue with his work, but they were not able to heal a boy from seizures.  He was tired of their unbelief.  A little faith has so much power, so they should have been able to heal the child.  We only have to hold on to a little faith.  However, if you let that faith grow, can you imagine what kind of power that would hold?  You would be able to move mountains.  

    Jesus rebuked the demon and he left the boy.  He used this time to remind them about his death and resurrection.  His words humbled and grieved the apostles.  Everything Jesus did was for their benefit.  He wanted his message to sink in.  He wanted them to be better students.  However, from the human perspective we don't always know what we are supposed to be focusing on when we are learning and being exposed to so many new things.  It took time for the full message to sink in.

    Jesus understood their limitation, but he only had so much time with them.  He wanted every moment to count.  Jesus continued to teach nonstop.  He taught about paying taxes, so that even today we can be held accountable.  Pay what the government deems worthy out of faithfulness to God.  He will provide for your needs even if your government may not.  He always provides for the obedient.

Matthew 17