Daily Devotion

 

Here, we have another of the great moments in Jesus' life on earth.   Remember, He was just about to set out to Jerusalem, and to the cross. There had already been that great moment when He asked His disciples who they believed Him to be in order that He might discover if anyone had realized who He was. However, there was one thing Jesus would never do---He would never take any step without His Father's approval. In this scene we see Him seeking, and receiving.

 

We will never know what happened on the Mount of Transfiguration, but we do know that something tremendous did happen there. Jesus had gone to seek the approval of God for the important step He was about to take. There, Moses and Elijah appeared to Him and told Him to go on. Jesus could set out for Jerusalem now, certain that at least one little group of men knew who He was, certain that what He was doing was the consummation of all the life, though, and work of His nation, and certain that God approved of the step He was taking.

 

There is a vivid sentence here. It says of the three apostles, "When they were fully awake they saw His glory."

 

(1^st) In life, we miss so much, because our minds are asleep, and there are certain things which are liable to keep our minds asleep. (a) Prejudice: we may be so set in our ideas that our minds are shut. A new idea knocks, but we are sleepers. (b) Mental lethargy. There are so many who refuse the strenuous struggle of thinking. Sometimes we are so lethargic that we will not even face our questions and doubts. (c) There is the love of ease.There is a kind of defense mechanism in us that makes us automatically shut the door against any disturbing thought. 

 

(2^nd)Life is full of things designed to wake us up. (a) there is sorrow. Often sorrow can rudely awaken a person, but at that moment, through the tears, he will see the glory. (b) there is love.  Browning tells of two people who fell in love. "She looked at him; he looked at her- and suddenly life awoke." Real love is an awakening to horizons we never dreamed were there. (c) there is the sense of need. For long enough a person may live the routine half asleep; then all of a sudden there comes some completely insoluble problem. In that day there is nothing left to do, but to cry to heaven, because that need awakens us to turn to God.

 

Life Application: Our prayer needs to be, "Lord, keep me always awake to You."

 

Praise/Prayer: Dear Father, I am so thankful that I can call on You anytime of the day, or night. You are my strength and my hiding place. We have been together for a long time. When I was young I didn't think I needed You as much as I do now, every day, every minute. I know You love me, and You hold me in Your hand. What comfort that is. Amen!