It’s always exciting to take a backstage tour in a grand venue—to see where the stars prepare—perhaps to see them behind the scenes and to know them as they really are. On the Mount of Transfiguration, we are given a backstage pass to see a glimpse of Jesus in his heavenly splendour and to hear the voice of the Father above. Seeing Jesus in this light, we learn to listen all the more closely to his word, and to trust him entirely as the glorious Son of heaven.
We are so naturally worldly in our thinking, both about Jesus and his mission, and about ourselves and our discipleship. While we would like to imagine that being a Christian will lead to worldly glory and comfort, Jesus calls us to see the centrality of the cross to his mission – and to understand the call of discipleship, to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him.
We are so naturally worldly in our thinking, both about Jesus and his mission, and about ourselves and our discipleship. While we would like to imagine that being a Christian will lead to worldly glory and comfort, Jesus calls us to see the centrality of the cross to his mission – and to understand the call of discipleship, to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him.
It is not possible to engage with Jesus Christ and to make no response to him. Some will respond with skepticism; some will respond with questions, but a desire to know more; others will see him for who he is, and confess that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God. How will you respond to him?
It is not possible to engage with Jesus Christ and to make no response to him. Some will respond with skepticism; some will respond with questions, but a desire to know more; others will see him for who he is, and confess that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God. How will you respond to him?
It’s always exciting to take a backstage tour in a grand venue—to see where the stars prepare—perhaps to see them behind the scenes and to know them as they really are. On the Mount of Transfiguration, we are given a backstage pass to see a glimpse of Jesus in his heavenly splendour and to hear the voice of the Father above. Seeing Jesus in this light, we learn to listen all the more closely to his word, and to trust him entirely as the glorious Son of heaven.
The Christian lives in the midst of a battle against the devil and his agents. We need to put on and use the full armour that God has given us if we are to stand.
Here is the foundational promise of God, fulfilled in Jesus and the gospel. It all comes from God and his initiative. Abraham is the recipient, as we are recipients in Christ. This blessing is meant to go to the world—and so our missionary mandate is found here. The folly of Abraham here reminds us that the blessing rests on grace and not merit.
The spiritual biography of every Christian humbles us and points to God’s glory: we have been chosen in Christ, included in in him through the gospel, and sealed by this Spirit. This story of our salvation comforts and assures us, and it prompts us to glorify God.
