On Line Bible Study - For the week June 9 - 15, 2009

Lesson 339

What Did They See?

The 16th chapter of Matthew's gospel concludes with these words: "Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

As Chapter 17 opens several of the disciples are about to get a taste of that "kingdom".

Matthew 17:1 -3 Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him.

(This paraphrase is from Eugene Peterson's "The Message".)

A couple lessons ago we talked about the sign that can be revealed only from heaven. There are aspects of Christian Spirituality that can not be conjured up by flesh and blood (that is, by human effort). We can not create God's glory; we can only be witnesses to it. That is what the "Transfiguration" of Jesus is all about.

Notice - this "sign" or revelation was not intended for all the disciples, but only for three that Jesus chose. One of the aspects of Protestant Christianity is that we have a personal relationship with Jesus - that we all can experience his grace, forgiveness and glory. True enough. But there are some things that are not given to all. Some signs - and healings, and revelations, and wisdom, and visions - are given only to a few.

Because of this reality, humility has to be practiced by those who receive. And faith has to be exercised by those who only hear about the experience. And, very importantly, the church needs to have great discernment in its determination regarding the validity of any particular experience a person or group of people might have.

But wait . . . Remember Matthew 13:43? "The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father." The transfiguration is Jesus - "sunlight pouring from his face . . ." - is reminiscent of Moses' face after he encountered God on the mountain. While only several of the disciples saw this, the scripture tells us we all will be "transfigured". I think in our time the issue is not so much "who" has seen it; the real question is this: "Can you see it now?"

In and through the Church - the fellowship of Christian believers - people should be able to see the "shining", the sunlight of forgiveness and reconciliation, burning bright, transforming our life together.

Someone recently asked if I thought we were living in the end times. The answer is: Absolutely! The "end times" began with Jesus! The tradition taught that Elijah would come back and precede the coming of the Christ. Jesus tells his disciples:

Matthew 17:11 - "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him . . ."

Some things are only intended to be seen by a few. Other things are intended to be seen by all, but we just don't have the eyes to see them! How many are the signs of God's goodness and grace! How pervasive is the evidence of some power beyond our own, some purpose greater than ours. In the midst of disasters and the hunger of the world and the pain of war there arises the "sunshine" of generosity.

Matthew tells us Jesus' birth is announced by the light of a star. He also tells us here that Jesus' ministry is as obvious as the sun! How can it be that so many didn't see it? How can it be that so many of those who claim him as their Lord and Savior still insist on living their own way? How is it that we continue to keep people out, hold them at arm's length, refuse to grant them fellowship with us?

Following the sign of the Transfiguration of Jesus, we encounter a miracle of deliverance:

Matthew 17:14 -16 At the bottom of the mountain, they were met by a crowd of waiting people. As they approached, a man came out of the crowd and fell to his knees begging, "Master, have mercy on my son. He goes out of his mind and suffers terribly, falling into seizures. Frequently he is pitched into the fire, other times into the river. I brought him to your disciples, but they could do nothing for him."

17 -18 Jesus said, "What a generation! No sense of God! No focus to your lives! How many times do I have to go over these things? How much longer do I have to put up with this? Bring the boy here." He ordered the afflicting demon out—and it was out, gone. From that moment on the boy was well.

"No sense of God!" This week, see the presence of God. Believe in it. Let it be your hope, your strength. Don't let anything or anyone take your focus off the power and healing of the Light of the World - Jesus Christ.

For next week we will finish Matthew 17 - Read verses 22 - 27 if you get the chance.