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pastorcowboy · 6 years ago

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Resurrection (A new Beginning)

Matthew series: Resurrection

Matthew 28 (A new beginning)

In Matthew 27, we have a small mention of an earthquake and a curtain being torn in two. You would think that would have been a pretty big deal. It also says for three hours darkness covered the land. That seemed like a pretty big deal too. History is an odd thing. We have so little information on the culture of the Romans. Archeology plays such a big part of discovering the past. In reality we know very little about history. From the Titanic to Hitler we have very little understanding of what happened in the end. How did the Titanic really sink? Did Hitler die?

Books have been written explaining both the Titanic and Hitler. We have the events but we also have a mystery. Why is their nothing written on the earthquake and darkness? There is so little written on the death of Jesus too. Some 1st century scholars have touched on the death of Jesus and the life of Rome. It seems some epic historical events got little coverage at the time. In Matthew 28, we have another earthquake. We also have another historical event. Jesus rose from the dead. Part of chapter 28 is the authorities rescuing the event from history. Guards are payed off. Rumors are circulated. What really happed to Jesus, Hitler and the Titanic? History seems ignorant of the real story.

I bring up Hitler and the Titanic because we know the story. We have heard the rumors. Jesus death and resurrection are a story over 2000 years later. History has not been kind to it. Was Jesus God? Did he rise from the dead? Was he even real? How do we prove the Titanic did indeed hit an iceberg? Eye witness accounts. What I find interesting is the earthquake. The whole earth shook when Jesus died and it shook when he rose from the dead. Your thoughts on resurrection?

Matthew 27:51 “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split “

Matthew 28:2 “There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it”

Exodus 19:18 “Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently.”

The tale of the Mary’s. Did you notice that the women came to the tomb first? Jesus had repeated over and over that he would rise in three days. Even Mary Magdalen said that we would be resurrected after the death of her brother. She knew. They all knew. Yet, who believed? The women did. The other Gospels mention more women. Actually, there are more details in the other Gospels. Why did Matthew mention so little? Who is the other Mary? It does not seem to be Jesus mother. It could be Mary the mother of the Zebedee brothers. She was present at the cross.

The guards probably thought they had the stupidest job. Guard a tomb. Do you know how many tombs there are in that area? Thousands and thousands. This is not a plush grave yard. It’s a carved-out hole in the wall of sand stone. The stone cave was probably not that big. Who owned the wall? It’s said in chapter 27 that Joseph of Arimathea donated his own new tomb.

Finally, we have the Sadducees. It’s fascinating. This is a group of Bible scholars. They were political and law writers. They did not believe in resurrection. You could notice that they disappear after Matthew 22. Jesus, from that point forward, talks about rising from the dead. The religious rulers that came to Pilate asking to guard the tomb were the chief priest and Pharisees. They did believe in resurrection. Ironically, they also wanted Jesus to stay dead. This whole chapter has a theme of belief. What do you really believe?

Matthew 27:62 “The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.”

Matthew 28:13 “telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ "

Acts 7:52 “Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him."

The poor guards. Like I said, they had a dumb job. Who guards the dead? They stood at the foot of the cross, watching men die. Let’s say just for fun that they were there at the cross. It says the centurion witnessed the whole thing and said “surely this was God’s son.” Fast forward to the tomb. There is another earthquake and angels appear. It says the guards shook and became like dead men. Imagine the rocks being split and the dead rising from nearby graves. You might faint too.

It’s interesting that Judas was given money from the religious to give up Jesus. The guards are given money by the religious to be quiet. Jesus said he could call on angels to save himself but he refused. Angels appear and roll away the stone. For the most part the disciples are nowhere to be found. The women are at the cross and the grave. The one person having the most trouble with attitude and Jesus was Mary Magdalene. Yet, she is found near Jesus the whole time through his death. I think she may have believed more than all of them.

Matthew 27:56 “Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.”

Matthew 28: “After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.”

Read Matthew 27 again. Read Matthew 28. There is so much more being played out between the death and resurrection of Jesus. Two sides of the cross. Check out 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

1. Let’s talk about Galilee. Jesus was Born in Bethlehem but moved to Nazareth. I always pictured those places in the same place. They are not that close. They are about 70 miles apart. Remember that’s on foot in those days. Jesus told the disciples while in galilee that he would die and rise again. Jesus told the women after his resurrection to tell the disciples to go to galilee like he told them. Told them what? All that he taught them from that place. They knew things we don’t read in scripture.

Jesus sent the disciples to a mountain in Galilee to wait for him. What mountain? Oh, there is a ton of speculation on this one. I have always thought that the sermon on the Mountain was at the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Tradition places it on Mt. Eremos in Galilee. That would fit a place to send the disciples because galilee was Jesus stomping grounds. (caution) however, Jesus baptism is right near the Dead sea. It’s not that far from Jerusalem, Bethlehem or the Mount of Olives. Placing Jesus in a certain place because it fits is just speculation. We should avoid that.

I feel one of the reasons Jesus sent the disciples back to Galilee is for safety. Remember the religious rulers were hunting believers down and that is how we are introduced to Paul in Acts. Many roads in this area were not that friendly. It’s possible the disciples were afraid to leave for home. Remember that Joseph of Arimathea donated his tomb. That is near Jerusalem too. Plus, the women had to run and tell the disciples that Jesus was missing in the tomb. They did not run 70 miles. What this means to me is that we need to just read it. Putting this mountain here and those disciples there is all rabbit trails that take our eyes off the real story of Jesus resurrection.

Matthew 28:8 “So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.”

John 20:19 “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!””

2. I just think there is something to the angels being clothed in white. I think there is something about the title Angel of the Lord. Some people call many of these incidences in the Old Testament, to be what they call, the pre-incarnate Jesus. Basically, Jesus in a different form other than his heavenly or earthy body. I am not so sure. In the New Testament, Jesus appears to many. Not once is he called the Angel of the Lord. Of the many appearances of this heavenly creature, there is sometimes a bright light, white clothes, or nothing descriptive at all. Often, they say something like “fear not.” Angels were said to look terrifying.

Matthew goes out of his way to mention them in white. Why? I feel it’s a staple or calling card. In the transfiguration, Jesus is turned to bright white. Read Daniel 7 and we see the Ancient of days clothed in white. In Revelation we have Jesus sitting on the great white throne of judgment. White is the good guy. White is holy and clean. I feel white is also a signature of heaven. There will be transparent pearl gates and gold streets. Plus, in heaven, there is no sun because the Glory of the Lord will shine. Moses met God and became too bright to look at. Brightness, light, and white are a sign of God’s presence.

Here is my last thought on this. Moses had to wear a veil to hide the light. There was a curtain hiding the inner chamber to God in the temple. When Jesus died the curtain was torn in two. We now see angels in bright white. A glimpse of heaven? A sign that heaven is here. Matthew begins making a case for the savior. The Jews knew that one day they would be taken to heaven. Matthew is finishing his Gospel by picturing heaven in the real world. We are free of death. Free to shine the light on a hill.

Matthew 28:18-20 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Judges 8:16 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Daniel 7:9 “As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.”

3. Why Sunday? The common Jewish week was from Sunday to Saturday. The Sabbath day went from Friday at 6pm till Saturday at 6 pm. Even when I was in Egypt recently, they do most of their day at night. They eat, gather, and rest. Muslims worship Friday. Jews Worship Saturday. Christians worship Sunday. The reason is simple. The religious rulers had Jesus crucified Friday at the end of the Pentecost week. Nobody worked from 6 pm on. It was a good time to get it done. The crowds were going home. It says in Matthew 28 that after the Sabbath the first day was dawning. Sunday!

Realize that the Jewish custom was to sacrifice a lamb for the sabbath Pentecost meal. They prepared everything before Friday at 6pm. Jesus is the last sacrifice. Ironic, coincidental, convenient? Many things God does is symbolic like a rainbow. Holiness is white. The ark was a seat of judgment like the great white throne. Jesus said “it is finished.” His time, day, week, ministry, sacrifice, and intention for creation was done. This first Sunday after, everything changed.

It’s the first day. In the beginning God created. On the first day Jesus rose from the dead. It’s a new beginning. The Sabbath was over. Ironically Jesus was criticized over and over for breaking the sabbath. Yet, after his resurrection we find him cooking fish while the disciples worked. When he raised Lazarus from the dead, he told them to feed him. The symbolism in Matthews Gospel is amazing.

Matthew 28:7 “Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.””

John 20:30 “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.”

4. Revelation 9 is a doozy. It describes a portion of the judgments of God on humankind. Read it and then realize in verses 20-21 they refused to repent. Ask yourself “what would it take to believe in God?” Matthew 28:17 is a doozy too. Three years with Jesus. All the words, miracles, and time spent with Jesus and they still did not get it. What would it take?

Jesus died. He is gone for three days. What are you doing after three days when someone has died? You move on. The disciples are back in Galilee. How long had it been? It was more than three days since the cross. It says in Acts 1 that Jesus appeared for 40 days. It’s Moses like. It’s symbolic and significant. The number 40 is Jewish. However long, Matthew points out that seeing Jesus after his death had doubters still. What would it take to believe?

The ending of Matthew is a doozy too. It’s called the great commission. There is more than that. Jesus mentions the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost clearly. There are still doubters on that. He mentions the end of the age. That means the end of times and there are still doubters. I feel that Matthew is ending his Gospel with a warning. Some will still doubt. Is it so hard to believe? Even after all the prophesies, miracles, and resurrection from the dead? It all pointed to the Christ as Jesus yet still some doubted.

Matthew 28:17 “When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted”

Revelation 9:20-21 “And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.”

What it means?

I can’t end this study properly. Matthew is so much more than I said it was. All I know is that I see prophesy. I see the teaching of Jesus. The Bible has pointed to this place. The resurrection. I am haunted by people taking the Bible verses out of context. Matthew has themes and an intentional point to make. Over and over he points out belief and doubt. That’s why he wrote a case for the Christ. He believes it was Jesus.

If you notice, Matthew does not expand the death and resurrection like the other Gospels do. He is to the point. It’s almost cold. Yet Matthew is only telling us what the prophesy said. He would be born, die, and raised from the dead. He is not glorifying heaven. He is not glorifying the man named Jesus. He is not glorifying the disciples, church, or Christianity. Matthew is pointing out that the radiant Christ of God is king over church, death, and creation.

Matthew wrote this Gospel to glorify the Christ. He said he came from God. He was anointed by God. Matthew then has Jesus as the victor of death and sin standing before his disciples. Verse 18 repeats that Jesus has all the authority in heaven and on earth. The kingdom is here and Jesus is the king. Then the king gives only one command “go and tell.” Moses last speech is really big. Jesus (the new Moses) needed only one verse “go and tell.” Matthew got it right because Christianity did go forth and changed the world. Many were saved by the Christ Jesus. It was a reckless plan. Yet, the prophets predicted it. God orchestrated it. He promised it in a covenant with Abraham and David. God took ownership of getting it done. So here we are, now, it’s up to you. What will you do with the Christianity Matthew wrote about?

Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

#resurrection #bible #matthew #jesus #new #begin

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tpanan · 7 years ago

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My Sunday Daily Blessings

August 6, 2017

Be still quiet your heart and mind, the LORD is here, loving you talking to you...........

Feast of the Transfiguration of the LORD (Catholic Observance)

Lectionary 614

First Reading: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

As I watched: Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was bright as snow, and the hair on his head as white as wool; his throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened and the books were opened. As the visions during the night continued, I saw: One like a Son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, The one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations, and languages serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 97: 1-2, 5-6, 9

"The LORD is King, the Most High over all the earth."

Second Reading: 2 Peter 1:16-19

Beloved: We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory, "This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Verse before the Gospel: Mt 17:5c

Alleluia, Alleluia

"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."

Alleluia, Allelluia

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."

When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

**Meditation:

Are you prepared to see the glory of the Lord and to share in his glory as well? The Lord Jesus is eager to share his glory with us! We get a glimpse of this when some of the disciples see Jesus transfigured in glory on a high mountain. [In many churches of the east and west this event is celebrated as a major feast on August 6.] Jesus often went to a lonely place to pray - to seek solitude and sanctuary away from the crowds. But on this occasion, Jesus' face became radiant like the sun and his clothing became dazzling white (Matthew 17: 2 and Luke 9:29).

This vision of radiant light and glory is prefigured in the prophecy of Daniel. In chapter 7 of the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament we see a vision of the "Son of Man who came with the clouds of heaven" and was presented before the royal court of heaven and the "Ancient of Days" who is clothed in a radiant garment "white as snow" (Daniel 7:9,13). The prophet Daniel foretold that God would send his Anointed One, the Son of Man who would come on the clouds of heaven to bring God's reign of glory and righteousness on the earth (see Daniel 7:13-15). Daniel's vision describes a royal investiture of a human king before God's throne. The Son of Man is a Messianic title for God's anointed King, the Lord Jesus Christ. The New Testament word for "Messiah" is "Christ" which literally means the "Anointed One" or the "Anointed King". God sent us his Son not to establish an earthly kingdom but to bring us into his heavenly kingdom - a kingdom ruled by truth, justice, peace, and holiness. The kingdom of God is the central theme of Jesus' mission. It's the core of his Gospel message.

The Lord Jesus came to fulfill all that Moses and the prophets spoke Jesus on three occasions told his disciples that he would undergo suffering and death on a cross to fulfill the mission the Father gave him. As the time draws near for Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross, he takes three of his beloved disciples to the top of a high mountain. Just as Moses and Elijah were led to the mountain of God to discern their ultimate call and mission, so Jesus now appears with Moses and Elijah on the highest mountain overlooking the summit of the promised land. Matthew's Gospel tells us that Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light (Matthew 17:2).

Jesus reveals his glory to the apostles and to us Why did Jesus appear in dazzling light with Moses and Elijah? The book of Exodus tells us that when Moses had met with God on Mount Sinai the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God (Exodus 34:29). Paul the Apostle wrote that the Israelites could not look at Moses' face because of its brightness (2 Corinthians 3:7). After Elijah, the greatest of the prophets, had destroyed all the priests and idols of Baal in the land, he took refuge on the mountain of God at Sinai. There God showed Elijah his glory in great thunder, whirlwind, and fire, and then spoke with him in a still quiet voice. God questioned Elijah, "What are you doing here?" And then directed him to go and fulfill the mission given him by God. Jesus, likewise, appears in glory with Moses and Elijah, as if to confirm with them that he, too, is ready to fulfill the mission which the Father has sent him to accomplish.

Jesus went to the mountain knowing full well what awaited him in Jerusalem - betrayal, rejection, and crucifixion. Jesus very likely discussed this momentous decision to go to the cross with Moses and Elijah. God the Father also spoke with Jesus and gave his approval: This is my beloved Son; listen to him. The Father glorified his son because he was faithful and willing to obey him in everything. The cloud which overshadowed Jesus and his apostles fulfilled the dream of the Jews that when the Messiah came the cloud of God's presence would fill the temple again (see Exodus 16:10, 19:9, 33:9; 1 Kings 8:10; 2 Maccabees 2:8).

Christ's way to glory The Lord Jesus not only wants us to see his glory - he wants to share this glory with us. And Jesus shows us the way to the Father's glory - follow me - obey my words. Take the path I have chosen for you and you will receive the blessing of my Father's kingdom - your name, too, will be written in heaven. Jesus fulfilled his mission on Calvary where he died for our sins so that Paradise and everlasting life would be restored to us. He embraced the cross to win a crown of glory - a crown that awaits each one of us, if we, too, will follow in his footsteps.

Origen (185-254 AD), a noted early church bible scholar and teacher, explains the significance of Jesus' transfiguration for our own lives: "Do you wish to see the transfiguration of Jesus? Behold with me the Jesus of the Gospels. Let him be simply apprehended. There he is beheld both "according to the flesh" and at the same time in his true divinity. He is beheld in the form of God according to our capacity for knowledge. This is how he was beheld by those who went up upon the lofty mountain to be apart with him. Meanwhile those who do not go up the mountain can still behold his works and hear his words, which are uplifting. It is before those who go up that Jesus is transfigured, and not to those below. When he is transfigured, his face shines as the sun, that he may be manifested to the children of light, who have put off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. They are no longer the children of darkness or night but have become the children of day. They walk honestly as in the day. Being manifested, he will shine to them not simply as the sun but as he is demonstrated to be, the sun of righteousness." (Commentary on Matthew)

Luke's Gospel tells us that while Jesus was transfigured, Peter, James, and John were asleep (Luke 9:32)! Upon awakening they discovered Jesus in glory along with Moses and Elijah. How much do we miss of God's glory and action because we are asleep spiritually? There are many things which can keep our minds asleep to the things of God: Mental lethargy and the "unexamined life" can keep us from thinking things through and facing our doubts and questions. The life of ease can also hinder us from considering the challenging or disturbing demands of Christ. Prejudice can make us blind to something new the Lord may have for us. Even sorrow can be a block until we can see past it to the glory of God.

We are partakers of his glory Are you spiritually awake? Peter, James, and John were privileged witnesses of the glory of Christ. We, too, as disciples of Jesus Christ are called to be witnesses of his glory. We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). The Lord wants to reveal his glory to us, his beloved disciples. Do you seek his presence with faith and reverence?

Sources:

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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tpanan · 8 years ago

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My Sunday Daily Blessings

March 12, 2017

Be still quiet your heart and mind, the LORD is here, loving you talking to you...........

Second Sunday of Lent (Roman Rite Calendar)

First Reading: Gen 12:1-4a

The LORD said to Abram: "Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father's house to a land that I will show you. "I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you." Abram went as the LORD directed him.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22

"LORD, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you."

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8b-10

Beloved: Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Verse before the Gospel: Mt 17:5

"From the shining cloud the Father's voice is heard: This is my beloved Son, hear him."

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

**Meditation:

Are you prepared to see the glory of the Lord and to share in his glory as well? God made a promise to Abraham that he would make him a channel of great blessing not only to his own family and future descendants but to all the families of the earth as well (Genesis 12:3)! The condition for the fulfillment of this promise was simple and straightforward - "Go from your family and country to the land that I will show you" (Genesis 12:1). Abraham not only believed in God's promise, he promptly obeyed and did as the Lord commanded him. God chose Abraham as his instrument of blessing - that through him and his descendants would come the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ who would reveal the glory and blessing of God's kingdom and bring salvation for all who would call upon his name.

The Lord Jesus is the fulfillment of all the promises made to Abraham and to his spiritual descendants. In all that Jesus did and said he sought to please his Father in heaven and to bring him glory. Like Abraham, he was ready to part with anything that might stand in the way of doing the will of God. He knew that the success of his mission would depend on his willingness to embrace his Father's will no matter what it might cost him personally. Jesus on three occasions told his disciples that he would undergo suffering and death on a cross to fulfill the mission the Father gave him. As the time draws near for Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross, he takes three of his beloved disciples to the top of a high mountain. Just as Moses and Elijah were led to the mountain of God to discern their ultimate call and mission, so Jesus now appears with Moses and Elijah on the highest mountain overlooking the summit of the promised land. Matthew's Gospel tells us that Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light (Matthew 17:2).

Why did Jesus appear in dazzling light with Moses and Elijah? The book of Exodus tells us that when Moses had met with God on Mount Sinai the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God (Exodus 34:29). Paul the Apostle wrote that the Israelites could not look at Moses' face because of its brightness (2 Corinthians 3:7). After Elijah, the greatest of the prophets, had destroyed all the priests and idols of Baal in the land, he took refuge on the mountain of God at Sinai. There God showed Elijah his glory in great thunder, whirlwind, and fire, and then spoke with him in a still quiet voice. God questioned Elijah, "What are you doing here?" And then directed him to go and fulfill the mission given him by God. Jesus, likewise, appears in glory with Moses and Elijah, as if to confirm with them that he, too, is ready to fulfill the mission which the Father has sent him to accomplish. Jesus went to the mountain knowing full well what awaited him in Jerusalem - betrayal, rejection, and crucifixion. Jesus very likely discussed this momentous decision to go to the cross with Moses and Elijah. God the Father also spoke with Jesus and gave his approval: This is my beloved Son; listen to him. The Father glorified his son because he was faithful and willing to obey him in everything. The cloud which overshadowed Jesus and his apostles fulfilled the dream of the Jews that when the Messiah came the cloud of God's presence would fill the temple again (see Exodus 16:10, 19:9, 33:9; 1 Kings 8:10; 2 Maccabees 2:8).

Partakers of his glory Are you spiritually awake? Peter, James, and John were privileged witnesses of the glory of Christ. We, too, as disciples of Jesus Christ are called to be witnesses of his glory. We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). The Lord wants to reveal his glory to us, his beloved disciples. Do you seek his presence with faith and reverence?

**Prayer:

"Lord Jesus, keep me always alert to you, to your word, your action, and your constant presence in my life. Let me see your glory." AMEN.

Sources:

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