Have you ever become frustrated with yourself in wondering when you were
going to change, maybe wondered just what it was going to take? Perhaps
you've witnessed an amazing transformation in another Christian's life
and you want to experience that same growth in your life as well. Or maybe
you're one of those that has never seen a complete change come about in
another person's life and you don't think God is capable of changing anyone
at all.... Turn with me today to Luke chapter 9 and let's read through
verses 28-36 before we begin:
"And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took
Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as
he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment
was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men,
which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease
which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were
with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his
glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they
departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to
be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for
Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. While he thus spake,
there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered
into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This
is my beloved Son: hear him. And when the voice was past, Jesus was found
alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those
things which they had seen."
We find here that Jesus had chosen Peter, John and James to go up into
the mountain to pray with Him - apart from the others. The Savior has
some things that He wants to specifically show these disciples whom He
is training. But in verse 32, it is said of them that they were heavy
with sleep. Because of this, Peter, John and James missed hearing how
and what Jesus spoke to His Father in prayer. As a matter of fact, a total
transfiguration of Christ had occurred during this sacred time of prayer
and they missed it completely! The Bible says that the fashion of Jesus
countenance had been altered during those moments He spoke with His Father....
Tell me, how has the fashion of your countenance altered since you've
been a Christian, dear lady? Are you spending enough time on your knees,
talking to your Father in heaven? Your face will prove your answer....
Prayer brings a glow that no cosmetic item could ever promise to deliver!
In Matthew 17:2, another account of this same story says, "And was transfigured
before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white
as the light."
In Mark 9:3, another place where the Word of God speaks of this glorious
event scripture says, "And his raiment became shining, exceeding white
as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them."
By these descriptions, what took place sounds like quite a spectacular
change to me, how about you? Imagine waking from a heavy sleep and finding
Jesus radiating in such a magnificent way! One can only wonder how many
times you and I have missed what God has wanted us to see and hear in
our walk with Him simply because we were asleep spiritually....
The word "transfigured" describes a change on the outside that comes from
the inside. Jesus allowed His glory to radiate through His whole being
and wanted to share this glory with the disciples and they almost missed
it for sleeping!! You see, this was the only time Jesus revealed His glory
in this way while He was on the earth. What a privilege these three had
been set apart for! Praise the Lord they finally woke up and were able
to witness some of God's glory, not to mention Jesus amazing conversation
with Moses and Elias! What a Bible conference to sit in on, amen?
Of course, this must have been an overwhelming experience for the three
men to wake up to, and Peter says immediately (as Peter always does!)
in Mark 9:5, "And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good
for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and
one for Moses, and one for Elias."
Peter didn't know what else to say in the face of such an experience,
one that he had certainly not been prepared for! Maybe if Peter, John
and James had stayed awake long enough to pray with Jesus they would have
been prepared to properly understand this transformation they were privileged
to witness! Have you ever misunderstood what God was showing you because
you hadn't been faithful in prayer? Prayer prepares our understanding,
ladies! Prayer affords us GOD'S perspective on the circumstances that
come into our lives so that we can properly evaluate them, and then act
accordingly. Peter's evaluation and plan of action to erect three tabernacles
was an incorrect one, and was corrected by God Himself in a cloud...
Matthew 17:5, "While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed
them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved
Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."
Mark 9:7, "And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came
out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him."
Luke 9:34-35, "While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed
them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a
voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him."
Yes, God interrupted Peter's speech and focused everyone's attention -
not on the vision they were caught up in - but on the Word of God! "HEAR
HIM", God had said! Ladies, Christianity is not based on or built upon
spectacular visions or experiences, neither does change occur apart from
the unchanging Word of God! The disciples had missed hearing the very
words of Christ, therefore Peter misinterpreted this experience. Hence,
he spoke prematurely and without understanding. He had been guilty of
placing Jesus on the same level as Moses and Elias. God was correcting
Peter and saying "JESUS ONLY!" He it is whom God is well pleased with!
It's the only way a transfiguration can take place in our lives, amen?
Jesus ONLY - His Word, His will, His glory! You and I can have a spiritual
"transfiguration" each day by surrendering our body, mind and will to
the Lord, allowing HIM to transform us from within. As we look into the
Word of God daily, we see Jesus and are transfigured by the Spirit of
God into the glory of God. During this time, Jesus taught these three
disciples that prayer is key to a transformed life. But Christ needs to
be our focus in prayer as well! Not until we focus on Him entirely will
we be able to radiate the glory of the Lord in our lives!
Matthew 17:8, "And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw NO MAN,
save Jesus only."
Mark 9:8, "And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw NO
MAN any more, save Jesus only with themselves."
Luke 9:36, "And when the voice was past, Jesus was found ALONE."
God's timing of causing the cloud to overshadow them when He did was to
get the focus of these disciples back on Jesus and in so doing, block
out all else! They were focusing too much on the "experience" of the moment,
too much on man, and they weren't hearing HIM!
So dear lady, have you become more wrapped up in spiritual experiences
rather than truth? Have you been too focused on man and lost sight of
the Lord? Has God had to bring any clouds into your life for the purpose
of getting you back into the Word to hear from Him? He so much wants us
to hear Him, to have the Spirit speak to us, and for us to see Jesus ONLY
- yet we are so easily distracted, aren't we? What does it take to get
you to listen to the Lord?? One cloud after the other? I hope not!
As wonderful as the religious experiences you encounter might be, they
are not the basis for a consistent Christian life! As time marches on,
those experiences fade and so do the feelings that were encountered at
the time. However, true consistency, continual growth and inner renewal
can only come about through the WORD OF GOD. Experiences come and go,
but the Word abides forever! God's Word never changes; experiences do,
and they are no measurement of righteousness. Whatever you and I might
be distracted by today, God would interrupt and say to us, "HEAR HIM!"
Like these three specific individuals, the Lord would set you and I apart
today and have us transformed into the image of His Son as well. Prayer
is a prerequisite to the substantial changing of people and circumstances,
amen? The result - our own personal transfiguration!
2 Cor. 3:18, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory
of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even
as by the Spirit of the Lord."
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000
Pamela A. Iannello
