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Don’t Misplace The King
John TiltonMatthew 17:1-5
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 covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
So Peter, James and John receive the blessing and honor to accompany Jesus to the top of a mountain and see Him transfigured before there eyes with His eyes bright as the sun and His clothes becoming white as light. That would be a mind-blowing moment of realization of whose presence one was in. However, upon seeing Moses and Elijah appear, they become confused and misplace the position and authority of Jesus, the Son of God in relation to Moses and Elijah; in a way of lowering Jesus to the place and authority of Moses and Elijah, or raising Moses and Elijah to the deity and authority of Jesus. God then steps in via a voice from a bright cloud to proclaim and affirm who Jesus is, as well as His deity and authority. Grace could be extended to Peter, James and John in saying that they probably did not fully understand what transpired before them in Jesus being transfigured until God stepped in.
I wonder if we often misplace Jesus in who He is by way of us putting others who are great leaders in ministry in the place that only Jesus deserves? Do we sometimes place great men of God on a pedestal before Jesus, rather then putting Jesus first and giving great leaders respect rather then reverence? Do we get enamored and caught up in looking up to successful celebrities, athletes, business people and others, our reverance and occupation with them results in taking our focus off of Jesus and thereby subtly steer our attention, time and effort toward other things in life, whether it be fame, accomplishment, money and success? Perhaps we can take a look at our time spent on who and what we are dedicated to. Understandably, we know that we are called to learn, grow and equip ourselves for life and living. Yet, do we appropriate time in priority to the Lord, as well as in our discretionary time for Jesus and serving Him? I believe that the more time that I spend with the Lord and serving Him, the further I will move the balance and equilibrium in my life toward and heart, peace and understanding that will bring joy and fulfillment to me. In contrast, the more time I spend on things of the world in seeking and acquiring possession and position, I may be subtly sweeped into misplacing Jesus in my life and be more prone to the influences and pitfalls of the world.
Dear Lord, I pray that I would always remember that you are the one and only living God, who died for my sins and who sits and the right hand of God interceding on my behalf. May I realize the best advice in life, to seek and invest my time, heart and efforts with you and serving you, knowing that my life will then be fulfilling, at peace and filled with joy. Thank you!
