February 11, 2018 Sunday

“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”  —  because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid. And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves. Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead.” (Mark 9:2-9 NKJV)

            The Transfiguration is confusing to many and they merely read over it if they read the Bible at all.  By doing we can miss an amazing picture of not only Jesus but of our future.

            We are given a small picture of the Heavenly glory of Jesus and a glimpse of God as we will experience in Heaven.  The phrase “such as no launderer on earth can whiten them” is a reminder of the wondrous difference between earth and Heaven.

            And when the disciples missed the point God made sure they got it!

“And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”

            With the cloud like a filter between Heaven and earth God shows there is a veil or a shadow between Heaven and earth.  Our sin and the shadowy world we live in are cut off from Heaven as without Jesus are we.

            Here we see the Jesus on earth glows with glory of Heaven!  Jesus is our way from the world of shadows to the glory of Heaven!  If we come through faith in Jesus we too will be transfigured into an eternal life with God!

            This is seen in the two earthly beings that appear with Jesus!  They “prove” to us we also will pass from this world of shadows to the glorious Heaven to see and experience God.

            When we, as they come down from the mountain we must remember this hope as they did.  They didn’t tell anyone but this touched their lives so much that they had to share it with believers as a sign of the glory of Jesus and the hope we have!!!

            Are you experiencing the glory of Jesus as you read the Bible and spend time in prayer?  Are you experiencing the glory and faithfulness of God in the sunrise, the movement of the stars and in your life?  Look around you and see the salvation of God!

            I was able to go to worship at Asbury today.  It is always so good to be with and worship with old and new friends.  Every time I enter the sanctuary I remember those who have gone to see the face of God!  The pain and weariness grow each day.  I cannot remember the last time my feet didn’t hurt and plague me.  The only time I feel it less is when something else hurts more.  I am so weary now.  But God is always there and keeps from being depressed by giving me people around the world to pray for.  This helps me take my mind off myself by caring about others.  Even when I read a book or watch a show on TV God calls me to pray.  I do not know what I would do without god’s love!

          Rather than preparing a sermon once a week I have changed to having a devotional each day.