Reading: Matthew 17: 1-9
Just days before the incident in
Matthew 17, Jesus was walking with His disciples and asking them who people
were saying He [Jesus] was. They offered various thoughts: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, one of
the prophets. Then He asked, “But who do you say I am?” “You are the Messiah, the Son of God,” Peter
answered…and Jesus warned them strongly not to tell anyone who He was.
Later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John
up a mountain, where they were joined by the Old Testament saints Moses and
Elijah. Then an amazing thing happened (as
if seeing these two men wasn’t amazing enough!) – God the Father revealed to
them what Peter had professed a week earlier, Jesus was, God’s “beloved Son, with
whom I am well-pleased.”
Wow, what great news – everyone
should know this!
Again Jesus told them to keep secret
what they had seen. What? Are you
kidding? This is such good news – the
word needs to be spread, doesn’t it? Why
would Jesus put the brakes on the disciples’ enthusiasm? Two words we perhaps don’t like to hear, “God’s
timing” seem to be at the heart of it.
He told them to wait until He had risen from the dead, until they had
received His Spirit (Acts 1:8). When the
Spirit came, bringing power to them, now was the time to go and tell – once
they were equipped.
They needed to wait on God before
stepping out to proclaim Jesus to the whole world.
Through them, we, who have come after
the Apostles, see the King revealed; And today, through us, others see Him as
their King. Through us, God “manifests
the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place (2 Cor 2:14).” He equips His saints in every generation to
manifest His Messiah, His King. Without His
power, we are inadequate for the task. Praise God, our adequacy is from Him (2
Cor 3:5)!
Father, thank you that you plainly revealed Your Son to the world through
your word and your people. We pray that this Lenten season many more may see
Jesus as Their Messiah, their King. Amen
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