About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning... While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him” (Luke 9:28-29, 34-35 NIV). Alone again with his inner group: Peter, James and John. Last time, he had taken them into the house of Jairus, to witness a resurrection. This time he takes them up the mountain for another foretaste of glory! Its only a few days since he told them he was going to die and be raised up... since he told them that they must take up their cross daily in order to experience new life... and since he challenged them to walk worthy of that calling. Now, Jesus gives them a glimpse of what that life is like. It is the way of prayerful intimacy with God, being visibly transformed by his powerful presence, and shining with the light of his glory. It is a way of deep assurance, hearing the voice of God speaking to the soul, You are my child, and resting in the confidence that our reputation is in his hands. And now, Jesus has put the Spirit of adoption in our hearts: so we might have intimacy with God, and be changed from glory to glory. Perhaps taking up your cross is proving to be particularly challenging at the moment. If so, remember it is also the way God can reveal his glory in your life. Go with two or three close friends up the mountain to pray; and ask for the Spirit of adoption to be poured into your heart, that it might spread through your soul, and shine through your life.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 06:56:41 +0000