Matthew 17 - 8.15.24

Matthew 17:1-9

S –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.

4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

O - He was transfigured before them: The word transfigured speaks of a transformation, not merely a change in outward appearance. The effect was extremely striking; Jesus became so bright in appearance that He was even difficult to look at (like the sun). Blue letter bible.org

Undoubtedly, the purpose of the transfiguration of Christ into at least a part of His heavenly glory was so that the “inner circle” of His disciples could gain a greater understanding of who Jesus was. Christ underwent a dramatic change in appearance in order that the disciples could behold Him in His glory. The disciples, who had only known Him in His human body, now had a greater realization of the deity of Christ, though they could not fully comprehend it. That gave them the reassurance they needed after hearing the shocking news of His coming death. (gotquestions.org)

The Transfiguration was a foretaste of heaven; the participants (who had been dead a very long time) were doing something worth noting – talking together. In God’s world, interactions count highly. People are individuals, with minds, hearts, and opinions. People are also part of a wider whole, connected by relationships built on sharing between whole persons. Friendship is the key. Make time and opportunities to talk with others. Good conversations act as training for eternity.

Jesus is more than a great leader, a good example, a good influence, or a great prophet. He is the Son of God. When you understand this profound truth, the only adequate response is worship. When you have a correct understanding of Christ, you WILL obey him.

A – My application may be a stretch but I felt the need to share. (Side note two of my computers stopped working after typing this SOAP and another post was to be posted instead. I took the computer to the Geek Squad and it miraculously worked fine! So, I’m sharing.)  On Tuesday evening we attended a memorial for someone we didn’t know all that intimately but who touched our lives through several brief conversations over the years while doing work around our house. This man, Louis Godman (which I always told him was such an appropriate name because he was such a bright presence), had an infectious smile and way about him that made everyone who encountered him feel like his longtime friend. It may sound odd when I say that most of the time, I actually enjoy attending a Celebration of Life, and this one was definitely one I enjoyed and will remember for a very long time. Not because of the loss of course, or the sadness, but because of discovering more about who he was, and being able to meet so many of the people whose lives he had touched in some way. And there were MANY-it was standing room only. I have never seen a memorial put together with such love and intricate detail. From the décor, the music, the poems read, the eulogy, the raw, yet composed emotions from his partner and her adult children as they spoke, to hearing the stories from the woman who introduced him to us years ago. It was inspiring to catch a glimpse of how he impacted each of their lives and how we were all brought together on this occasion, as part of their journey, and to see the hand that God had played out through all of it was just amazing! There were so many things spoken that were clearly the hand of God throughout his 2 year battle with colon cancer (including the surgery that was never supposed to happen that bought him that extra time).  Even in the end, he was a positive force. Louis left behind a lot of aching hearts, but more than that, he left a legacy of a whole lot of joy! He inspired and he brought a smile to everyone who met him.

My “observation” today came directly out of my study bible, but what touched me was “In God’s world, interactions count highly. People are individuals, with minds, hearts, and opinions. People are also part of a wider whole, connected by relationships built on sharing between whole persons. Friendship is the key. Make time and opportunities to talk with others. Good conversations act as training for eternity.

To know that we will one day be able to interact with those we have lost, and even those we had briefly touched, makes me want to be a better person and to transform my own life into someone who leaves others inspired and in awe of what God has done for me. To know that having constant connections and interactions are important to God, and will be a part of eternity, we should be doing everything in our power to reach out to others. You never know whose life you may inspire, impact, or touch in some way. Or what seed you have planted that leads them to salvation or a deeper understanding of WHO God really is.

P – I pray that I myself, and my church family, would be aware of the joy it brings God to see His people come together, bringing comfort and joy to one another. I pray we would be aware of the special moments he puts before us to make those connections, and I pray that we turn to Him in honor and praise for being the one true SON OF GOD who deserves are complete adoration no matter what the world and Satan may be throwing at us. I pray we would seek the glory of God and revel in His amazing presence. And SHARE OUR STORIES!

Amen!

- Crystal Flory