Our Eyes Fixed on Christ

“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 17:5-8 NIV)

Luke 9:33 adds this little tidbit about Peter’s suggestion to “tabernacle” on the mountain: “He did not know what he was saying.”

Yes, I’m still on the subject of touch. While preparing the previous lesson I ran across this passage and it just smacked me across the face!

My last entry spoke of touch removing all fear and here we see that Jesus’ touch did indeed relieve the disciples fear, but, what really hit me about this particular passage is that when they looked up they only saw Jesus! Now, I know that I’m stretching it a bit here, because Moses and Elijah were no longer with Jesus. But, if we allow ourselves to stop at this point we may uncover some rich treasure!

Up until this point, Jesus had been Peter, James and John’s Friend and Companion. In a limited and somewhat clouded way, they knew and believed Jesus to be the Son of God, but they really didn’t have a clue! Forgive me, could it be that maybe, just maybe their familiarity with Jesus had led them to think they were on any kind of equal footing with Him?

God the Father gives Peter, James and John an up close and very personal glimpse of Who Jesus is—God’s beloved Son—on equal footing with God alone! Suddenly, they can no longer bear to “hear” or to “see” and they fall down on the faces. Yes, in holy fear, but, oh, in worship and adoration, too!

In Revelation 1:9-19, John has yet another encounter with Jesus in all His splendor and glory! What is John’s response? What does our precious Lord do to remove John’s fear?

Beloved, do you fear? It doesn’t matter the why or the what. Allow Jesus to touch you—to lift up your head so that all you see is His beloved face! Peter did so for just a short period of time and he was able to walk on water! (Matthew 14:22-31) Imagine what God can do in and through us with our eyes fixed solely upon His Son!

Jesus Christ is not only our constant Friend and Companion. He is our God! Glory!