November 24, 2018: SOAP #3178:  Matthew 17-19

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 17:1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

Observation:  Several weeks ago, Sharon and I bought a bin of toys at a garage sale.  There was a fancy helicopter with spinning blades and a way to hoist things from the ground.  But what sparked Tim’s attention was a transformer.  I was not able to figure it out, but in about 20 minutes, he was able to transform the toy from a human figure to a flying war machine and back.  It was there all the time; I just could not see it.

Jesus was not transfigured into something He was not, but into something He was!   For a moment, His divine nature was shining through His human nature.  The Son of man (which is how He usually referred to Himself) was seen to be the Son of God!

Application:  There are special times when Jesus is transfigured to me.  As He shows me in His Word, as He walks with me throughout each day, as I receive His help in simple ways, as I He reveals a mystery that has puzzled me for a long time, as He reassures me of His love—in such times He shows me that He really is just what I need.  It seems He created me with weaknesses that show off His greatness!

Prayer:  Jesus, you continue to amaze me.  You always appear to me to be just what I need at the moment.  You are always all that I need and more. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!