Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

20 October 2024

Reading From  Matthew 17, Mark 9, Luke 9:28-62 

“Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus…then his disciples asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?”

Jesus replied, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.” Then the disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist.”

–Matthew 17:1-3, 10-13

     The Transfiguration was a unique and powerful experience for these disciples.  I wish that we were privy to what was said between Moses, Elijah and Jesus.  There a few things that I gleaned from reading this passage today.  The glowing face of Jesus reminded me of when Moses came down from Sinai and his countenance reflected the glory of God.  While I know that my smile doesn’t compare to the brilliance of the sun, I do hope that the way I present myself shows people that I spend time in the Presence of the Lord.  Any glorious reflection Moses or any son or daughter of God have does not compare with the glory of King Jesus Himself. 

     Moses and Elijah appearing with Jesus shows us that in the afterlife people will be recognizable in their resurrected bodies.  Just how exactly Peter, James and John knew it was Moses and Elijah isn’t clear.  It could have been revealed to them by the Holy Spirit in that moment or Jesus may have clued them in later, but it’s not like there were pictures of those prophets in circulation at the time.  Moses symbolizes the Law and Elijah the Prophets.  Jesus fulfilled them both in His Person and Ministry. 

     John the Baptist came “in the spirit and power of Elijah” according to Luke 1:17 in order to be the voice of one calling in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord and His work and turn the hearts of the children to their fathers and the fathers to their children.  Also, Elijah was known for speaking truth to power in standing up to the wickedness of Ahab and Jezebel.  In a similar way, John the Baptist was not afraid to take a righteous stand with Herod Antipas and Herodius.  We must be courageous in our stand for truth and what is right. 

“Lord, show us Your glory.  Reveal more to us about Your nature and character.  We declare that Jesus, You are God and we worship You in spirit and in truth.  I pray that our lives would reflect Your glory and our faces would shine because we have been in Your Presence.  Change our hearts and align our lifestyles with the righteous principles of Your Word. In Jesus’ Name I pray all these things, Amen.”

Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”

And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

–Exodus 33:18-23

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
    the whole earth is full of his glory.”

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

–Isaiah 6:1-4

Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”

 –John 11:40