Seeing Yourself In the Light of the Truth...

Human beings are fickle. God grants us experiences that are miraculous, then after a short time passes by, we tend to forget or choose not to remember how blessed we were that God granted us these special occasions. Here in Matthew ch 17, Peter, James, and John get the experience of a lifetime, the Transfiguration. Then, not soon after this, after experiencing God firsthand with Moses and Elijah, the disciples get told they have little faith, Peter denies Jesus three times, and all the disciples desert Jesus. Wouldn’t you think that Peter, James, and John would be different? The fact that they had this “Divine Appointment”, the transfiguration, you would think they would be the ones to stand up for Christ when he was arrested. But they weren’t. It was only after experiencing the shame of fleeing and denying Jesus, that they became the leaders of the disciples, making a worldly impact that has lasted through today because of this experience. This just goes to show us our humanity is fickle. Once you accept this about yourself, true progress can be made in furthering the Kingdom.

1 Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. 2 As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light. 3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.4 Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If You want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials–one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”5 But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy. Listen to Him.” 6 The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.7 Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” He said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus.9 As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”10 Then His disciples asked Him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?”11 Jesus replied, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.”13 Then the disciples realized He was talking about John the Baptist. Matthew 17:1-13