What are you looking at?

Matthew 17:8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

Initially, upon their arrival at the top of the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John saw three people. They saw Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. They were exposed, physically, to what we are all exposed to spiritually on a daily basis: Jesus, the Law, and the Prophets.

As Peter, James, and John observed them talking, Peter spoke up. It was not out of the ordinary for Peter to speak his mind. Peter made the suggestion: “Hey, let’s build three churches up here. We’ll make one for Jesus, one for Elijah, and one for Moses!” (Matthew 17:4 paraphrased). But, the Bible says, even while Peter was speaking these words, a voice came from Heaven proclaiming Jesus as the beloved Son of God. This voice, the voice of God the Father, had one message for the disciples: hear Him (Matthew 17:5)!

The disciples were frightened when they heard the voice of God come booming out of heaven. They fell to the ground, lying on their faces. As they lay there, frightened by the presence of God, Jesus came to them and He touched them. As He touched them He spoke these very, very, very important words, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” (Matthew 17:7)

The awesomeness of God’s voice is frightening. This is the very same voice that spoke galaxies into existence. This is the very same voice that spoke this world into existence. This was not God’s still, small voice! But the true nature of God’s love and grace is found in the person of Jesus Christ. He reached out and touched the frightened. He put them back on their feet (giving them “right standing” with God--save that for later), and He told them not to be afraid.

As soon as Jesus did this for them, they looked up. They saw only Jesus! I find it interesting that the Bible makes no mention of Moses and Elijah leaving or disappearing. We assume, through interpretation, that they were gone, but we can’t be sure. Perhaps they were still there. We know they are still prevalent in the Christian world today. Each and every week the Law and the Prophets are taught. They are taught, mixed with, and on the same level as Jesus Christ. The point is this: the disciples saw only Jesus.

This is what we need to see today as well: only Jesus. All too often we put Moses (the Law) and Elijah (the Prophets) on the same level in our spiritual walk as Jesus. We give them equal standing, and this is not God’s desire for us. This is why God said Jesus is His beloved Son, not the Law or the Prophets. God wants us to hear Jesus.

When we hear Jesus we’re given the grace to stand, righteously, before God. When we hear Jesus, we’re given the confidence to not fear about this life. God wants us to know Jesus, the beloved Son in whom He is well pleased!