JesusOnline.com

MENUMENU
  • Discover
    Evidence
    • About God
      • Has Science Discovered God?
      • Was Life Created by Design?
      • Accident or Intelligent Design?
      • Does God Exist?
    • About Jesus
      • The Jesus of History: Man or Myth?
      • Was Jesus a Real Person?
      • Is Jesus God?
      • Was Jesus the Messiah?
      • Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?
      • More Questions…
    • About the Bible
      • Is the Bible True?
      • Are the Gospels Reliable?
      • The Gospel of Barnabas: Secret Bible?
      • Are the Gnostic Gospels Factual?
      • Is the Bible Infallible?
      • The Bible’s Buried Secrets
    • Related Videos
      • “God Evidence” Videos
      • “Jesus Evidence” Videos
      • “Bible Evidence” Videos
  • Meet
    Jesus
    • Why Jesus?
    • The Gift of Heaven
    • Jesus’ Resurrection and You
    • Are You Going to Heaven?
    • Related Videos
  • Follow
    Jesus
    • Next Steps
      • Discover New Resources
      • Explore God’s Word
      • Connect with Believers
      • Why Grow?
    • Living for Jesus
      • Born Again as a New Creation
      • Trusting by Faith
      • Abiding in Christ
      • Embracing Your New Identity
      • Loving God Wholeheartedly
      • Pursuing Truth in God’s Word
      • Depending on the Spirit’s Power
      • Obeying God Faithfully
      • Connecting with God’s Family
      • Resisting the Enemy
      • Advancing Christ’s Kingdom
    • Time in God’s Word
      • Read eBible
      • Download Bible
      • Devotionals
      • Key Verses
      • Bible Study Tools
    • Related Videos
      • “Next Steps” Videos
      • “Living for Jesus” Videos
      • “Time in God’s Word” Videos
  • Find Hope
    & Love
    • #GODisHOPE
    • FOREVER LOVED!
  • More
    • Share Jesus
    • Join Community
    • Download App
    • Contact Us
    • Search
  • Translate

Total Transformation

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters–one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. (Matthew 17:1-8)

Paul tells us that believers are being “transformed” into Christ’s likeness with ever-increasing glory which comes from the Holy Spirit:
I think if Peter were with us today he would tell us it is sometimes better to simply not say anything! During this particular moment with Jesus, Peter didn’t know what he was saying–of course he didn’t!

I am kind of with Peter. I can certainly see why he wanted to stay up on that mountaintop. It was so much more peaceful and pleasant up there than dealing with all those frustratingly annoying sheep below. It’s pure peace at the feet of the Master.

But it was not God’s plan for Peter, James and John to set up residence on the mountaintop. And it isn’t His plan for us either. Earth is not our home, heaven is. Peter was permitted that glorious encounter for the benefit of me and for you. He was given a special moment with Jesus that revealed His very nature. Our “encounters,” whether they are truths taught or an experience of God’s faithfulness demonstrated in our lives, are not for us alone. They are to be used to help strengthen the faith of others as well.

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. (Proverbs 10:19)

In our verses for today, Jesus takes His inner circle–Peter, James, and John–up a high mountain for an encounter with God that they will never forget. Indeed, Peter records in his second epistle as being an eyewitness to this incredible encounter:

We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. (2 Peter 1:16-18)

In the Matthew passage it tells us that Jesus was “transfigured” before them. The word translated “transfigured” is from the Greek word metamorphoo meaning “to transform, change one’s form; to alter fundamentally.” This word is used of Jesus’ transfiguration which involved the miracle of transformation from an earthly form into a supernatural one … It describes a spiritual transformation, an invisible process in Christians which takes place during their life in this age. (Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, New Testament Lexical Aids). This same word is found in Romans 12:2 when Paul admonishes us to be different from the world by being “transformed” by the renewing of our minds:

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

Paul also tells us in 2 Corinthians that believers are being “transformed” into Christ’s likeness with ever-increasing glory which comes from the Holy Spirit:

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)

It was not God’s plan for Peter, James and John to set up residence on the mountaintop. And it isn’t His plan for us either.
As we manifest the fruit of the Spirit in our lives we are progressively being transformed into Christ’s likeness and Christlikeness is the goal of our Christian walk.

Take It to Heart

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Previous – Next

   Follow Jesus
  •   Overview
  •   Discover New Resources
  •   Explore God's Word
  •   Connect With Believers
  •   "Next Steps" Videos
  •   Overview
  •   Born Again as a New Creation
  •   Abiding in Christ
  •   Embracing Your New Identity
  •   Loving God Wholeheartedly
  •   Pursuing Truth in God's Word
  •   Depending on the Spirit
  •   Obeying God Faithfully
  •   Connecting with God's Family
  •   Resisting the Enemy
  •   Advancing Christ's Kingdom
  •   "Living for Jesus" Videos
  •   Overview
  •   Explore the Bible
  •   Bible Study Tools
  •   Bible Study Courses
  •   Devotionals
  •   Key Verses
  •   "Time in God's Word" Videos
  •   Overview
  •   Pride vs. Humility
  •   Fear vs. Faith
  •   Anger vs. Forgiveness
  •   Overindulgence vs. Moderation
  •   Dissatisfaction vs. Contentment
  •   Deciet vs. Honesty
  •   Divisiveness vs. Harmony
  •   Rebellion vs. Obedience
  •   Irresponsibility vs. Dilligence
  •   "Next Steps" Videos
  •   "Living for Jesus" Videos
  •   "Time in God's Word" Videos

We like you.
Like us back on social media!


Copyright © 2022   |   JesusOnline Ministries   |   Contact Us   |   Sitemap   |   Privacy Policy   |   Website Terms of Use Policy

TAKE JESUSONLINE WITH YOU
  GET THE FREE APP NOW