Title: Only Jesus (Matthew 17:1-8)
I pray the Lord's blessings to the souls who long for grace.
Today, we would like to share grace through the word of Jesus alone. Jesus took his beloved disciples to Mount Hermon, surrounded by clouds, overlooking Palestine. After ascending the mountain, Jesus was transfigured in front of the disciples, and he was with Moses and Elijah in a splendid appearance. The disciples were in fear, but when they heard the voice of the Lord from the cloud and told them not to be afraid, they could not see anyone except Jesus.
Biblical scholar Hendrix tells the story of this mountain of transfiguration, saying that it was God's providence to give the disciples confidence and courage, and to give Christ the strength to overcome suffering. Faith is something that is gradually strengthened through experience. It is the same as when a sick person prays hard and is healed, he can live with greater confidence than anyone else.
However, this mystical experience leaves the essential meaning of belief and, like the opium, indulges in such a mystery will result in another disbelief. Obviously, this incident of the Mount of Transfiguration must be an event to convince the disciples who Jesus is. When they woke up from their fear, only Jesus was left. This is giving us amazing meaning.
(1) The only reason Jesus was seen before them was because he was the only person who had accomplished the salvation of mankind.
(2) It is the fact that He is the shepherd of mankind sent by God and the Son of God who came to fulfill God's providence.
(3) Humanity can only find the meaning of being saved by hearing the words of Jesus and believing.
The voice of heaven was clearly heard by Jedar. This is My Beloved Son, so I told you to listen to me. This is a message that all mankind must hear. I believe that it is the voice of heaven that we should listen to now. Clearly, Christ is the way of mankind, the truth of life, and the Lord of eternal life. Only Jesus, standing tall in front of the disciples, is not glamorous. However, the moment when the disciples look only at Jesus, they stand with great emotion and faith. What is the meaning of this transformation of Mt. Byun telling us living in the modern age?
First, it is a matter of what you are looking at.
Now we live in an ever-changing era. We live in an age where the fear of when and what change is coming is dominated. In fact, the disciples saw and followed Jesus, but they did not have a clear direction of faith. The transfiguration that was shown at this time was the only way to know the value of Jesus. The splendor of Jesus with Moses and Elijah was not faith. After that, only Jesus was seen as their faith.
When I see tribulation, I am afraid. Seeing poverty makes me sad. The splendor is enchanting. Peter looked at the storm and was thrown into the sea. Ananias and Sapphira, who looked to the material, died for deceiving the Holy Spirit. What to see because by it we will be drawn into
All. Those who looked to Jesus were healed, comforted, and saved. Please believe that the only thing we need to look at now is Jesus.
Livingstone, an English explorer missionary, received a letter from his beloved fianc e and told him to love the Lord more. Because the Lord Jesus is the common friend we hope to go to. I pray that you will become saints of faith who only hope for Jesus.
Second, it makes you think about what is more valuable.
Now, it doesn't matter where we live and how leisurely we live. What is more precious than that is the person's outlook on life and values.
A person with a big heart and wide heart is not biased toward any person or condition.
Thinking about how to act. A Spanish painter decided to distribute copies of "The Last Supper" and began to paint with all his heart. Even before the painting was finished, my friends came and rave about it. It was that the glass he drew was beautiful. He said that he was very heartbroken when he heard that the wine cup that was meant to represent Esu was more beautiful, and erased it. Because Esu is more important to that picture.
This showed the disciples that Jesus was more precious. The only thing that is more precious to us now is faith in Jesus.
Third, we need to think about why only Jesus was seen.
Moses is the representative of the law and Elijah is the representative of the prophets. Moses died and Elijah was alive and ascended to heaven. Now we cannot be saved by law or prophecy. Only Christ, who is the gospel, the fulfillment of the law and prophecy, can save us. For those who live by faith, only Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. I pray that you will become saints who believe in Jesus.