Keep Looking Up

Matthew 17 is the story of the Transfiguration.

It’s a beautiful story about the time that Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, with him to a mountaintop to be alone.  While there, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so much so that His face was bright like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.  The bible tells us that, “Suddenly, Moses and Elijah were standing with Him.”  (verse 3)

Peter had such a profound experience in the company of greatness and in the presence of His Jesus marked by such splendor, he suggested that they stay there, making for themselves shelters to live in. 

It is likely that Peter was thinking the the Kingdom was about to ushered in to full glory, and in a haste specific to his nature and character, he desired to memorialize the moment.

But as many know the story, the Lord spoke in a brilliant cloud and said, “This is My dearly beloved Son, who brings Me great joy.  Listen to Him.”  (verse 5)

Then scripture tells us in verse 6, “The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.” 

The disciples knew what it meant to experience an encounter with the Lord, and in fear and reverence, properly responded.

But it’s the next verses that tell us a little something more.

“Then Jesus came over and touched them.  ‘Get up’, He said.  ‘Don’t be afraid.’  And when they looked up Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus.”  (verses 7-8)

They recognized the touch of their Jesus.  They heard the voice of their Savior.  And they saw only their Christ.

Ahh… and I wonder today if the same could be said of us.  The weary Jesus-people.

Because what I know to be true is that one single encounter with Him changes everything.

We become fearful only when we loose sight of Him.
Where He’s standing.  How He’s working.

We sink into a pit of darkness when we don’t lean in to hear His voice.
What He has spoken over us.  What He's saying to us.

One touch… one voice… one vision of glory - and everything changes!

He speaks to us today and says the same to you and me, “Get up.”  “Do not be afraid.”

And when we choose to look up… to focus our gaze upon Jesus and Jesus only… nothing else will matter.  No crisis, no illness, no guilt and shame, no economic setback, no loss… nothing else will matter.

Beholding the Savior is the only survival skill we must learn to master.

Keep looking up!