WHAT'S ALL THIS TRANSFIGURING ABOUT?

TRANSFIGURATION: A GLIMPSE OF GLORY! [HIS & YOURS]

About a week after Jesus plainly told His disciples that He would suffer, be killed, and be raised to life (Luke 9:22), He took Peter, James and John up a mountain to pray. 

While praying, His personal appearance was changed into a glorified form, and His clothing became dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus about His death that would soon take place. 

Peter, not knowing what he was saying and being very fearful, offered to put up three shelters for them. This is undoubtedly a reference to the booths that were used to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, when the Israelites dwelt in booths for 7 days (Lev. 23:34–42). 

Peter was expressing a wish to stay in that place. When a cloud enveloped them, a voice said, “This is My Son, whom I have chosen, whom I love; listen to Him!” 

The cloud lifted. 

Moses and Elijah had disappeared. 

And Jesus was alone with His disciples who were still very much afraid. 

Jesus warned them not to tell anyone what they had seen until after His resurrection. The three accounts of this event are found inMatthew 17:1-8,Mark 9:2-8, andLuke 9:28-36.

Undoubtedly, the purpose of the transfiguration of Christ into (at least a part of) His heavenly glory was so that the “inner circle” of His disciples could gain a greater understanding of who Jesus was. 

The word "transfigured" is a very interesting word. The Greek word is "metamorpho" and it means to transform, literally or figuratively to metamorphose, or to change. The word is a verb that means to change into another form. It also means to change the outside to match the inside. 

The prefix "meta" means to change and the "morphe" means form. In the case of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ it means to match the outside with the reality of the inside. Jesus' divine nature was "veiled" (Hebrews 10:20) in human form and the transfiguration was a glimpse of that glory.  The voice of God attesting to the truth of Jesus' Sonship was the second time God's voice was heard. The first time was at Jesus' baptism into His public ministry by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:7; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). 

Christ underwent a dramatic change in appearance in order for the disciples to behold Him in His glory. 

The disciples, who had only known Him in His human body, now had a greater realization of the deity of Christ, though they could not fully comprehend it. This gave them the reassurance they needed after hearing the shocking news of His coming death.

Symbolically, the appearance of Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets. As well as the 2 or 3 witnesses required to establish truth. But God’s voice from heaven (the third witness) – “Listen to Him!” - clearly showed that the Law and the Prophets must give way to the authority of Jesus. 

The One who is the new and living way is replacing the old – He is the fulfillment of the Law and the countless prophecies in the Old Testament. Also, in His glorified form they saw a "preview" of His coming glorification and enthronement as King of kings and Lord of lords. [As well as a "movie trailer" of our own bodies, after we are resurrected.]

Which brings me to explain this next baffling text: 

Luke 9:27 says, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." (See alsoMatthew 16:28andMark 9:1for the parallel quotes.)

In each of the synoptic Gospels, the next event immediately after this promise from Jesus is the transfiguration. Rather than interpreting Jesus' promise as referring to His second coming to establish His kingdom on earth, the context indicates that Jesus was referring to the transfiguration. The Greek word translated “kingdom” can also be translated “royal splendor,” meaning that some disciples standing there would see Christ as He really is—the King of heaven—which occurred in the transfiguration. 

The disciples, Peter, James, and John saw Jesus in all His glory and splendor, chit chatting with a glorified Moses and Elijah. This is a glimpse of what will occur in Jesus' kingdom. The disciples were dumbstruck at the sight and “fell on their faces” (Matthew 17:6). AND YOU SHOULD TOO!!!! 

The disciples never forgot what happened that day on the mountain and no doubt this was intended. Thus, John wrote in his gospel, “We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only” (John 1:14). 

Peter also wrote of it, “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). 

Those who witnessed the transfiguration (Peter, James and John) bore witness to it to the other disciples and to countless millions down through the centuries. And it is recorded to increase our faith in the hope for which we believe. 

I am so excited. I cannot wait to be with Jesus in my glorified body!!! Thank you Lord for the BEST PREVIEW EVER! (Better than the Lazarus movie trailer of you proving you are The Resureection and The Life!) 

Hope you enjoyed this Upside Down Caramel Macchiato with Whip and a warm Morning Bun! 

Robbs 

MISUNDERSTANDING DEATH

Death itself is a devastating and horrible thing. But God promises to work all things—including death—for good for those who love him and are called by him (Romans 8:28).

Isaiah 57:1-2 gives us one glimpse into how God views the death of his saints:

The righteous man perishes,
and no one lays it to heart;
devout men are taken away,
while no one understands.
For the righteous man is taken away from calamity;
he enters into peace;
they rest in their beds
who walk in their uprightness.

There are two ways this is true for Christians. First, “in this world [we] will have tribulation” (John 16:33). We will only stop having tribulation when God makes all things new, and takes us home. 

Second, the greatest calamity that will befall humans is the wrath of God. That is what we need to be “taken away” (saved) from. The Bible tells us plainly that Christians will suffer various worldly calamities (Romans 8:35-36). But what makes us “more than conquerors” in all these things is the Calvary love of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:37). Since we “have now been justified by [Jesus’] blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God” (Romans 5:9).

So, when those of us who are counted righteous in Christ die, we are delivered from our greatest calamity and all lesser calamities. We enter into joy, blessings, peace and rest. And this is a mercy that the world doesn’t understand.

And one more thing. The Lord Jesus finally sees his great desire for us fulfilled: “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory” (John 17:24).

Which is why “precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15).

Believe. 

Dark Roast, lightened with cream and sweetened with sugar. Yum. 

Robbs

DEATH & FEELING HELPLESS

Feeling helpless about how to help a friend or family member who's mourning a loss?

Small acts speak volumes. 

Here's how to help someone who's grieving, in simple, thoughtful ways:


Listen.

There's no need to rush in with words of comfort, especially if they don't come naturally.

Better: Simply make a space, with your companionable silence, for the bereaved to express herself if she chooses.

Don't hurry an emotional moment.

A common impulse when someone gets choked up with grief is to change the subject and try to shift to safer emotional ground.

Better: See the moment through. Pause. Offer a hug. Share your own comment about the person who died, if it feels appropriate. Be patient and unselfish about your own comfort. 

Talk about the person who died.

Don't avoid mentioning the person who died; he or she is still very much in the minds of grieving family and friends.

Better: Reminisce or mention how the person inspired you or made you happy. When they naturally come to mind, don't be afraid to say things like, "Wouldn't Lucy have loved these flowers?" or, "I can just hear Bill saying, 'It's a great day for fishing!'"

Stick to honesty over platitudes.

There's no "right" thing to say to a survivor, but there are plenty of wrong things, like these 10 things never to say to someone who's grieving.
 1. How are you doing? 

2. God is in control./ It's God's will./There's a reason for everything. 

3. I know how you feel.....I lost my_______________ too. 

4. He is in a better place. (And other vomitus religious platitudes.) 

5. At least you have other children. 

6. God wanted another angel. 

7. It was his/her time to go. 

8. You have to be strong for "_____________. " 

9. God never give us more than we can handle. 

10. Call me of there's anything I can do for you. 

Better: If you're tongue-tied, acknowledge it. Try, "I don't know what to say. Please know I'm thinking about you." Or, "I can't imagine what each day is like for you now. I'm here for you."

Don't ask how you can help; just do.

Asking even simple questions ("Do you want me to pick up milk for you?" "What do you like to eat?") puts an added burden on the bereaved. Especially soon after a death, someone who's mourning may be physically and emotionally incapable of such decision making.

Better: "See the need, do the deed." Simply step in when you see a need: Furnish a meal (ready to eat or freeze, in disposable containers that don't need to be returned), organize regular meal delivery, pick up milk or eggs or fresh bread when you're at the store and leave them in a cooler on the porch, mow the lawn, take care of the car, stop by to walk and feed the dog. Think of essential tasks that can be handled unobtrusively.

The words we choose matter. They communicate our understanding of the character of God and his place in suffering. We could learn a lot from Job's friend's...they were perfect when they were silent.

At best it's simple: HUG. 

Coffee is on the house today, for everyone! 

Robbie Sprague