Welcome to 40 days with Christ today is day 24.
PRAYER: Father in heaven, in Holy Scripture, Colossians testifies that Jesus is before all things and in Jesus all things hold together. In everything may Jesus occupy the place of supremacy in our lives. And it is in His name we pray. Amen!
SCRIPTURE: Mark 9:2-8*
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
DISCUSSION:
It is hard to overstate the magnificent position of respect that Moses and Elijah had in the history of God’s people Israel. When Moses led the Israelites out of slavery, God told Moses to strike the water with his staff and the Red Sea parted open. In 2nd Kings 2, when Elijah rolls his coat up and strikes the Jordan River with it the water parts to the right and to the left so that both Elijah and Elisha cross the river on dry Ground.
God gave the Ten Commandments directly to Moses and Moses passed them along to the people.
Elijah prayed for fire from heaven to come down to consume the idols of Baal and it happened!
When it came time for Moses to Die the Lord first showed him the promised land and then the Lord took him. He was 120 years old yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength. The Lord himself buried Moses and no one to this day knows where his grave is.
When it was time for Elijah to leave earth, suddenly a chariot and horses appeared with fire all around them. Elijah was carried into heaven in a strong wind. His body was never found either.
I guess it makes sense that when Moses and Elijah appeared and started talking with Jesus that Peter would suggest to make three shelters. One for Moses, another for Elijah and another for Jesus.
But God had OTHER plans! A cloud surrounded them and a voice came out of the cloud saying “This is my son and I love him. Listen to him.”
When they looked around, who did they see? Elijah and Moses were nowhere to be found. Only Jesus remained.
Let’s pray. Father in Heaven, please help us to put Jesus in the proper position of full authority in our hearts. And in our lives help us to put Jesus in the Supreme place of authority that he deserves for we know that one day every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Help us to confess it now!
It is in the name of Jesus we ask this and believe, Amen.
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