Matthew 16:27-17:8
“What You See From Up Here” • 9.14.08 • Kingsfield Church, Sunday Morning Service
Intro.
- This message before us begins at a beautiful place in Israel called “Caesarea Phillipi.” It's a bit of a resort area, complete with beautiful waterfalls and a mountainous landscape.
- It is here that the Lord sits His disciples down and asks the question that would define their relationship: "Who do you say that I am?"
- The disciples mumbled a bit, then Simon stood up, speaking for the group and said, "You are the Christ, the son of the living God!"
- The word "Christ" is the Greek word for the Hebrew concept of the Messiah, the Annointed One. He is the one that God's people had waited and hoped for.
- This was a great moment of revelation that came directly from God Himself.
- Jesus affirms Simon's words, gives him a new name, Peter, and then subsequently tells the disciples something that seems to contradict what had just been revealed.
• Matthew 16:21 : "From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day."
- Hold on Lord. You are the Christ, the Messiah, the deliverer! How is it that you are going to die? How does that make sense?
- Really, that was not a new dilemma. The scholars of that day, and even the Jewish rabbis today have a problem reconciling this seemingly contradictory concept, since they do not yet recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
- The Old Testament presents the picture of the Messiah as both conquering hero and suffering servant. How could these two be reconciled into one person?
- I believe that this passage was recorded so that the disciples would see clearly that there was no need to be concerned. Jesus was and is the One Messiah, who would both suffer and conquer.
- In the passage before us Jesus gives the disciples, and for that matter, you and I, a preview of Kingdom realities. Jesus in this passage, (I.) gives, (II.) reveals the, (III.) expresses the
Text
• Matthew 16:27-17:1 : "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother and led them up a high mountain by themselves." Jesus tells these disciples that they will see Him as He will be in His Kingdom.
- Jesus takes along Peter, James and John, who had become His inner circle, likely because they were the first disciples. As such they were also elder statesmen among the disciples.
- And let's be honest: They were the most dense of the group!
- Peter was already a spokesman for the disciples, and later, in early church history, these men would have prominent roles in establishing the faith.
- This was not the first instance that Jesus called three to a special course of instruction.
- We see them together with the Lord at Jairus’ house, recorded in Mark 5. Jesus has been approached by Jairus, who was asking for the healing of his daughter.
- While he is asking, a servant comes and informs him that his daughter has died. In Mark 5:37, the Bible tells us that Jesus allowed Peter, James and John to come with Him.
- In that chapter, Jesus raises Jairus' daughter from death, and these men are there to witness that occasion.
- Here, in Matthew 17, this is the second time that Jesus has pulled these three aside and we'll understand that there is already an undercurrent of the shadow of death.
- These men, Peter, James and John, were about to see something that would radically alter their perceptions of Jesus, life and death.
• Matthew 17:2 : "and he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light."
- Jesus was transfigured. He metamorphosized right in front of them! Literally, Jesus shed off His human body and revealed what He was underneath,
- All I can say is "Don't try this at home!!" Leave it to Jesus!
- His face, His clothing, all altered and what was revealed to the disciples, was the King of Kings in all of His glory.
- The gospel of Mark adds that Jesus’ clothes were “exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.” (Mark 9:3)
- Luke's gospel adds that “His robe became white and glistening.” (Luke 9:29)
- This was the real Jesus, in His majesty and in all of His power. In the minds of the disciples, what could conquer this? What would death mean in the light of this being?
- This man was no man at all! He is God, hiding in human flesh!
- He is the King of Kings, here in all of His glory. What a privilege to have been there!
- It's compelling to me to consider that this same word for transfiguration is used by Paul to describe our transformation in Romans 12.
- We are being transfigured as well. Christ is changing our hearts, changing our minds.
- I am thankful that He does not just save us and leave us the way that we are. He immediately begins His work of transformation in us from the inside out, just as He displays here.
• Matthew 17:3-5 : "And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, 'Lord it is good for us to be here; if you wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!'" As if this were not a coronary producing event already, both Moses and Elijah appeared!
- One has to wonder if Moses and Elijah were wearing name tags, because Matthew reports definitively, without any shadow of doubt. Peter identifies them in his desire to make some booths of shelter.
- Matthew simply tells us that they came and talked with Him. Now, wouldn't you like to be in on that conversation! What could be so important? A little news from heaven perhaps?
- Thankfully, we do not need to speculate. The transfiguration event gives a preview of the culmination of Christ's ministry by alluding to three Old Testament pictures. Luke fills in the details for us on the first allusion.
• Luke 9:31 : "who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem."
- This is an interesting translation and it reads funny in the NKJV. The word "decease" really seems out of place. Other translations, the NASB and the NIV use the word "departure."
- The literal rendering of the word, here translated "decease" is the Greek word "exodus."
- Moses and Elijah spoke to Jesus about the exodus that he was about to accomplish. For those with a Biblical background, you will know what "the exodus" refers to.
- In the Old Testament, the people of God, the Israelis, were slaves in Egypt for over 400 years. They cried out for God to deliver them.
- God decided to begin the process of deliverance. He met with Moses, who was a semi-retired shepherd, in the back of Midian's desert.
- It took some great coaxing to get the 80 year old man to do it, but God eventually moved powerfully through Moses and delivered the nation of Israel.
- After a series of 10 plague judgements upon the Egyptian god, they went out from Egypt in what is known as the Exodus.
- In the same way, Jesus Christ, through what He was about to accomplish, has delivered you and I from our slavery to sin, and consequently, death.
- This was always the purpose of Jesus' ministry. Turn with me to Matthew 1:21.
• Matthew 1:21-23 : "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."
- Turn with me to Colossians 1:12. Paul, beginning his epistle to the church of Colosse urges them to walk worthy of the Lord.
• Colossians 1:12-14 : "giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."
- Jesus is our deliverer. His death at Jerusalem and subsequent resurrection would secure our redemption from sin, our deliverance from the Kingdom of darkness.
- If you have never heard that, and would believe that this morning, you would be counted as one of the redeemed. I'll get back to that in a moment.
- Now, as we move on, we wonder about the presence of Elijah. Moses after leading the people out of Egypt later became the writer of the law.
- If Moses represents the law, then Elijah represents the prophets and thus our second Old Testament allusion.
- In I Kings 18, Elijah took on 400 Baal prophets on one day and won at the Battle of Carmel. It's easily one of the most enjoyable chapters in the Bible.
- Later, Elijah would be carried away in chariot of fire, further growing his renown.
- What is fascinating to me is this: Neither Moses nor Elijah finished their mission! Moses was not allowed to enter the promised land. Joshua had to take the Israelites in.
- In a similar fashion, Elijah was also relieved of duty by his assistant Elisha.
- Both names, Joshua and Elisha mean the same thing: God is salvation! The name Jesus, a Greek transliteration, means the exact same thing, as His Hebrew name would also be Joshua!
- Jesus is showing the disciples that He has come to fulfill the law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah), to utterly and finally complete their mission!
- Turn with me to Matthew 5:17,18. Jesus says this explicitly.
• Matthew 5:17,18 : "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled."
- Peter sees all of this and offers a suggestion in verse 4: "Let's stay here! Forget the cross. Forget the suffering. We'll get some booths going and we'll usher in the Kingdom right now!"
- Take note of what the word says next in verse 5. "While he was still speaking..." In other words, Peter, shut up!
- I have been in rooms with great men. In such places, you will never find me offering an opinion! If those men point to me and ask, my first response will be, "Me?"
- I love Peter's impetuous and reckless fervor and I don't blame him. I want to skip the suffering and the pain too! But the glory of God will not come through the vehicle of ease in any of our lives!
- As Peter suggests this course of action, a bright cloud overcame them. This is now our third Old Testament allusion.
- When we think about the cloud biblically, we will recall to mind that this was how God lead his people during the time of their wanderings in the desert.
- For 40 years, when it was time to break camp, the cloud would move. Then when it was time to to camp, the cloud would rest over the top of the Tabernacle.
- His presence resting on top of the tabernacle in the wilderness was a picture of His rest and approval. Here, God the Father speaks and leaves no doubt.
- The Father says of Christ, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him."
- This is the second time that the Father specifically says this. The first time was when Jesus submitted to baptism, a picture of death, burial and resurrection.
- It's interesting to me here that Christ is again affirmed by the Lord when that same discussion is brought up. God the Father delights in the Son as He submits Himself to the plan of redemption.
- The culmination of Christ's ministry then is the redemption/rescue of His people from their slavery to sin, the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, and the eternal approval of God the Father.
- To you and I today, we understand that the life of Jesus and the voice of Jesus completes the whole message of God to us. God the Father says: "Hear Him."
- Jesus represents all of God's message to you and I. Jesus speaks of God's love in that He has come to initiate relationship with us.
- Jesus speaks of God's Holiness, in that He lived a life that perfectly satisfied God's holy law.
- Jesus speaks of God's wisdom, His power to forgive, His power to restore, heal and bless.
- Jesus says it all!
• Matthew 17:6-8 : "When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said 'Arise and do not be afraid. When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.'" Here is one of the great understatements of the Bible. Please put yourself in Peter, James and John's shoes.
- I would have fainted much earlier in the program! I give the disciples credit for making it this far. They have watched their Rabbi transfigure before their eyes, their dead heros appear out of thin air and their God speaks from the cloud of Shekinah glory. Yeah, I definitely would have fainted!
- The Bible tells us that they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. This is the automatic response that would happen to each of us if we were to face God today in our flesh.
- His holiness, His power is so overwhelming. Like Peter, James and John, we would hit the deck as well.
- I can never take anyone serious who tells me that when they see God, they are going to give Him a piece of their mind and tell Him where to get off!
- These people imagine that they would be able to stand in the presence of Almighty God and intimidate Him with their vitriolic anger. I almost laugh in their face right then.
- I am a Christian and have been for over 20 years of my life. I love the Lord, I am a Pastor, but when I see God, it will be straight to the ground, face as close to the Earth as I can possibly get.
- In fact, if I can dig a little first, I will!
- Now, that is the natural response to the presence of the Father. Notice the next phrase: But Jesus came and touched them.
- This is so beautiful. Where the voice of God the Father had put them on the ground, the voice of God the Son had lifted them up again!
- Where there was an instant separation from the Father, there was an instant connection to the Son, who bridges the gap between the two. Jesus Christ has ended the hostility between God and Man.
- Turn with me to Romans 5:8. The Apostle Paul is outlining the basis for our salvation.
• Romans 5:8-10 : "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."
- Jesus touched them and assured them that they did not need to fear. In the same way, His nail pierced hands reach out to touch you. If you have never known Him, He calls today.
- If you have known Him and you have walked away, He calls you Home. Either way, the message is that Jesus is the God that touches and affirms that you need not fear if He is with you.
Conclusion
- Today, we understand that this event happened in the lives of these disciples, so that they would be strengthened in the face of Christ's death, though that may have taken effect after the fact.
- As we read and take in this same word today, we marvel at the master plan of salvation seen in the weavings of this message:
- Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, has accomplished a spiritual exodus for His People that fulfills the law and the prophets and is eternally approved by the Lord. As a result, those that look to Jesus will have no fear in the presence of God.
- Will you look to Jesus today? Will you settle the issue?
- We may tell you of the love of God and His passion for your soul, but He planned for and demonstrated His love toward you. Will you hear and receive?
“What You See From Up Here” • 9.14.08 • Kingsfield Church, Sunday Morning Service
Intro.
- This message before us begins at a beautiful place in Israel called “Caesarea Phillipi.” It's a bit of a resort area, complete with beautiful waterfalls and a mountainous landscape.
- It is here that the Lord sits His disciples down and asks the question that would define their relationship: "Who do you say that I am?"
- The disciples mumbled a bit, then Simon stood up, speaking for the group and said, "You are the Christ, the son of the living God!"
- The word "Christ" is the Greek word for the Hebrew concept of the Messiah, the Annointed One. He is the one that God's people had waited and hoped for.
- This was a great moment of revelation that came directly from God Himself.
- Jesus affirms Simon's words, gives him a new name, Peter, and then subsequently tells the disciples something that seems to contradict what had just been revealed.
• Matthew 16:21 : "From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day."
- Hold on Lord. You are the Christ, the Messiah, the deliverer! How is it that you are going to die? How does that make sense?
- Really, that was not a new dilemma. The scholars of that day, and even the Jewish rabbis today have a problem reconciling this seemingly contradictory concept, since they do not yet recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
- The Old Testament presents the picture of the Messiah as both conquering hero and suffering servant. How could these two be reconciled into one person?
- I believe that this passage was recorded so that the disciples would see clearly that there was no need to be concerned. Jesus was and is the One Messiah, who would both suffer and conquer.
- In the passage before us Jesus gives the disciples, and for that matter, you and I, a preview of Kingdom realities. Jesus in this passage, (I.) gives, (II.) reveals the, (III.) expresses the
I. Confirmation Of His Deity (16:27-17:2)
II. Culmination Of His Ministry (17:3-5)
III. Consolation Of His Personality (17:6-8)
II. Culmination Of His Ministry (17:3-5)
III. Consolation Of His Personality (17:6-8)
Text
I. Confirmation Of His Deity (16:27-17:2)
• Matthew 16:27-17:1 : "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother and led them up a high mountain by themselves." Jesus tells these disciples that they will see Him as He will be in His Kingdom.
- Jesus takes along Peter, James and John, who had become His inner circle, likely because they were the first disciples. As such they were also elder statesmen among the disciples.
- And let's be honest: They were the most dense of the group!
- Peter was already a spokesman for the disciples, and later, in early church history, these men would have prominent roles in establishing the faith.
- This was not the first instance that Jesus called three to a special course of instruction.
- We see them together with the Lord at Jairus’ house, recorded in Mark 5. Jesus has been approached by Jairus, who was asking for the healing of his daughter.
- While he is asking, a servant comes and informs him that his daughter has died. In Mark 5:37, the Bible tells us that Jesus allowed Peter, James and John to come with Him.
- In that chapter, Jesus raises Jairus' daughter from death, and these men are there to witness that occasion.
- Here, in Matthew 17, this is the second time that Jesus has pulled these three aside and we'll understand that there is already an undercurrent of the shadow of death.
- These men, Peter, James and John, were about to see something that would radically alter their perceptions of Jesus, life and death.
• Matthew 17:2 : "and he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light."
- Jesus was transfigured. He metamorphosized right in front of them! Literally, Jesus shed off His human body and revealed what He was underneath,
- All I can say is "Don't try this at home!!" Leave it to Jesus!
- His face, His clothing, all altered and what was revealed to the disciples, was the King of Kings in all of His glory.
- The gospel of Mark adds that Jesus’ clothes were “exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.” (Mark 9:3)
- Luke's gospel adds that “His robe became white and glistening.” (Luke 9:29)
- This was the real Jesus, in His majesty and in all of His power. In the minds of the disciples, what could conquer this? What would death mean in the light of this being?
- This man was no man at all! He is God, hiding in human flesh!
- He is the King of Kings, here in all of His glory. What a privilege to have been there!
- It's compelling to me to consider that this same word for transfiguration is used by Paul to describe our transformation in Romans 12.
- We are being transfigured as well. Christ is changing our hearts, changing our minds.
- I am thankful that He does not just save us and leave us the way that we are. He immediately begins His work of transformation in us from the inside out, just as He displays here.
II. Culmination Of His Ministry (17:3-5)
• Matthew 17:3-5 : "And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, 'Lord it is good for us to be here; if you wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!'" As if this were not a coronary producing event already, both Moses and Elijah appeared!
- One has to wonder if Moses and Elijah were wearing name tags, because Matthew reports definitively, without any shadow of doubt. Peter identifies them in his desire to make some booths of shelter.
- Matthew simply tells us that they came and talked with Him. Now, wouldn't you like to be in on that conversation! What could be so important? A little news from heaven perhaps?
- Thankfully, we do not need to speculate. The transfiguration event gives a preview of the culmination of Christ's ministry by alluding to three Old Testament pictures. Luke fills in the details for us on the first allusion.
• Luke 9:31 : "who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem."
- This is an interesting translation and it reads funny in the NKJV. The word "decease" really seems out of place. Other translations, the NASB and the NIV use the word "departure."
- The literal rendering of the word, here translated "decease" is the Greek word "exodus."
- Moses and Elijah spoke to Jesus about the exodus that he was about to accomplish. For those with a Biblical background, you will know what "the exodus" refers to.
- In the Old Testament, the people of God, the Israelis, were slaves in Egypt for over 400 years. They cried out for God to deliver them.
- God decided to begin the process of deliverance. He met with Moses, who was a semi-retired shepherd, in the back of Midian's desert.
- It took some great coaxing to get the 80 year old man to do it, but God eventually moved powerfully through Moses and delivered the nation of Israel.
- After a series of 10 plague judgements upon the Egyptian god, they went out from Egypt in what is known as the Exodus.
- In the same way, Jesus Christ, through what He was about to accomplish, has delivered you and I from our slavery to sin, and consequently, death.
- This was always the purpose of Jesus' ministry. Turn with me to Matthew 1:21.
• Matthew 1:21-23 : "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."
- Turn with me to Colossians 1:12. Paul, beginning his epistle to the church of Colosse urges them to walk worthy of the Lord.
• Colossians 1:12-14 : "giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."
- Jesus is our deliverer. His death at Jerusalem and subsequent resurrection would secure our redemption from sin, our deliverance from the Kingdom of darkness.
- If you have never heard that, and would believe that this morning, you would be counted as one of the redeemed. I'll get back to that in a moment.
- Now, as we move on, we wonder about the presence of Elijah. Moses after leading the people out of Egypt later became the writer of the law.
- If Moses represents the law, then Elijah represents the prophets and thus our second Old Testament allusion.
- In I Kings 18, Elijah took on 400 Baal prophets on one day and won at the Battle of Carmel. It's easily one of the most enjoyable chapters in the Bible.
- Later, Elijah would be carried away in chariot of fire, further growing his renown.
- What is fascinating to me is this: Neither Moses nor Elijah finished their mission! Moses was not allowed to enter the promised land. Joshua had to take the Israelites in.
- In a similar fashion, Elijah was also relieved of duty by his assistant Elisha.
- Both names, Joshua and Elisha mean the same thing: God is salvation! The name Jesus, a Greek transliteration, means the exact same thing, as His Hebrew name would also be Joshua!
- Jesus is showing the disciples that He has come to fulfill the law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah), to utterly and finally complete their mission!
- Turn with me to Matthew 5:17,18. Jesus says this explicitly.
• Matthew 5:17,18 : "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled."
- Peter sees all of this and offers a suggestion in verse 4: "Let's stay here! Forget the cross. Forget the suffering. We'll get some booths going and we'll usher in the Kingdom right now!"
- Take note of what the word says next in verse 5. "While he was still speaking..." In other words, Peter, shut up!
- I have been in rooms with great men. In such places, you will never find me offering an opinion! If those men point to me and ask, my first response will be, "Me?"
- I love Peter's impetuous and reckless fervor and I don't blame him. I want to skip the suffering and the pain too! But the glory of God will not come through the vehicle of ease in any of our lives!
- As Peter suggests this course of action, a bright cloud overcame them. This is now our third Old Testament allusion.
- When we think about the cloud biblically, we will recall to mind that this was how God lead his people during the time of their wanderings in the desert.
- For 40 years, when it was time to break camp, the cloud would move. Then when it was time to to camp, the cloud would rest over the top of the Tabernacle.
- His presence resting on top of the tabernacle in the wilderness was a picture of His rest and approval. Here, God the Father speaks and leaves no doubt.
- The Father says of Christ, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him."
- This is the second time that the Father specifically says this. The first time was when Jesus submitted to baptism, a picture of death, burial and resurrection.
- It's interesting to me here that Christ is again affirmed by the Lord when that same discussion is brought up. God the Father delights in the Son as He submits Himself to the plan of redemption.
- The culmination of Christ's ministry then is the redemption/rescue of His people from their slavery to sin, the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, and the eternal approval of God the Father.
- To you and I today, we understand that the life of Jesus and the voice of Jesus completes the whole message of God to us. God the Father says: "Hear Him."
- Jesus represents all of God's message to you and I. Jesus speaks of God's love in that He has come to initiate relationship with us.
- Jesus speaks of God's Holiness, in that He lived a life that perfectly satisfied God's holy law.
- Jesus speaks of God's wisdom, His power to forgive, His power to restore, heal and bless.
- Jesus says it all!
III. Consolation Of His Personality (17:6-8)
• Matthew 17:6-8 : "When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said 'Arise and do not be afraid. When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.'" Here is one of the great understatements of the Bible. Please put yourself in Peter, James and John's shoes.
- I would have fainted much earlier in the program! I give the disciples credit for making it this far. They have watched their Rabbi transfigure before their eyes, their dead heros appear out of thin air and their God speaks from the cloud of Shekinah glory. Yeah, I definitely would have fainted!
- The Bible tells us that they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. This is the automatic response that would happen to each of us if we were to face God today in our flesh.
- His holiness, His power is so overwhelming. Like Peter, James and John, we would hit the deck as well.
- I can never take anyone serious who tells me that when they see God, they are going to give Him a piece of their mind and tell Him where to get off!
- These people imagine that they would be able to stand in the presence of Almighty God and intimidate Him with their vitriolic anger. I almost laugh in their face right then.
- I am a Christian and have been for over 20 years of my life. I love the Lord, I am a Pastor, but when I see God, it will be straight to the ground, face as close to the Earth as I can possibly get.
- In fact, if I can dig a little first, I will!
- Now, that is the natural response to the presence of the Father. Notice the next phrase: But Jesus came and touched them.
- This is so beautiful. Where the voice of God the Father had put them on the ground, the voice of God the Son had lifted them up again!
- Where there was an instant separation from the Father, there was an instant connection to the Son, who bridges the gap between the two. Jesus Christ has ended the hostility between God and Man.
- Turn with me to Romans 5:8. The Apostle Paul is outlining the basis for our salvation.
• Romans 5:8-10 : "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."
- Jesus touched them and assured them that they did not need to fear. In the same way, His nail pierced hands reach out to touch you. If you have never known Him, He calls today.
- If you have known Him and you have walked away, He calls you Home. Either way, the message is that Jesus is the God that touches and affirms that you need not fear if He is with you.
Conclusion
- Today, we understand that this event happened in the lives of these disciples, so that they would be strengthened in the face of Christ's death, though that may have taken effect after the fact.
- As we read and take in this same word today, we marvel at the master plan of salvation seen in the weavings of this message:
- Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, has accomplished a spiritual exodus for His People that fulfills the law and the prophets and is eternally approved by the Lord. As a result, those that look to Jesus will have no fear in the presence of God.
- Will you look to Jesus today? Will you settle the issue?
- We may tell you of the love of God and His passion for your soul, but He planned for and demonstrated His love toward you. Will you hear and receive?
No comments:
Post a Comment