The verses used by Selwyn for today’s study – illustrate an important truth; sometimes what we want, does not match God’s plan. Here we see the disciples wanting to see the restoration of Israel, as it was, at the time of King David, whereas Jesus had His eyes firmly fixed on eternal salvation. Jesus managed to lead, all those who were His, towards His vision, except for Judas.
These following verses are worth a careful examination ( I especially like the highlighted bits), Matthew 16:21-28; 17:1-9 (NIV):’From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
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 face down 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.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” ‘
Selwyn starts today’s study with: ‘the last qualification of a counsellor to consider – is the ability to come alongside someone who is hurt and to support them in their pain.‘ Later on, he summarises the feelings of Jesus’ disciples when they realised that their hope of an earthly Messiah did not match the reality of God’s plan.
He writes: “Christ’s foretelling of HIs death seemed to make the idea Peter held of Messiahship impossible. The disciples wanted to reign with Jesus (on earth); He knew He was heading to the cross.
The six days of confusion would be ended by the act of the Transfiguration, but before that, what must it have been like for our Lord and His disciples as they walked together through the northern part of Israel? He, no doubt, was pained by their failure to understand, and they were pained by the revelation that their concept of Messiahship did not appear to match His. But did He leave these misunderstanding disciples and go it alone? No, He stayed with them. He was there for them even when they were not there for Him.‘
It is the same for us: often, we fail to seek or try to understand God’s plan for our lives. Many times – we want to follow Jesus but not with a cross on our shoulder. It’s our nature, to seek all the good things of life and we often try to avoid those difficult times – especially when called to stand up and state (and live) what we believe. Jesus gives life – a perfect, love filled, eternal life – that’s our goal – and, to give God, all the glory.
Our goal is not to seek heaven on this earth – but to share Jesus’ vision – of eternal heaven, with Him. Do you agree?
Yet, the best part is: Jesus never leaves us – even when our ideas about what He should do – does not match His timeless plan. He stays with us – right to the end – because of His great love for us!
‘Being there’
The verses used by Selwyn for today’s study – illustrate an important truth; sometimes what we want, does not match God’s plan. Here we see the disciples wanting to see the restoration of Israel, as it was, at the time of King David, whereas Jesus had His eyes firmly fixed on eternal salvation. Jesus managed to lead, all those who were His, towards His vision, except for Judas.
These following verses are worth a careful examination ( I especially like the highlighted bits), Matthew 16:21-28; 17:1-9 (NIV):’From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
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 face down 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.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” ‘
Selwyn starts today’s study with: ‘the last qualification of a counsellor to consider – is the ability to come alongside someone who is hurt and to support them in their pain.‘ Later on, he summarises the feelings of Jesus’ disciples when they realised that their hope of an earthly Messiah did not match the reality of God’s plan.
He writes: “Christ’s foretelling of HIs death seemed to make the idea Peter held of Messiahship impossible. The disciples wanted to reign with Jesus (on earth); He knew He was heading to the cross.
The six days of confusion would be ended by the act of the Transfiguration, but before that, what must it have been like for our Lord and His disciples as they walked together through the northern part of Israel? He, no doubt, was pained by their failure to understand, and they were pained by the revelation that their concept of Messiahship did not appear to match His. But did He leave these misunderstanding disciples and go it alone? No, He stayed with them. He was there for them even when they were not there for Him.‘
It is the same for us: often, we fail to seek or try to understand God’s plan for our lives. Many times – we want to follow Jesus but not with a cross on our shoulder. It’s our nature, to seek all the good things of life and we often try to avoid those difficult times – especially when called to stand up and state (and live) what we believe. Jesus gives life – a perfect, love filled, eternal life – that’s our goal – and, to give God, all the glory.
Our goal is not to seek heaven on this earth – but to share Jesus’ vision – of eternal heaven, with Him. Do you agree?
Yet, the best part is: Jesus never leaves us – even when our ideas about what He should do – does not match His timeless plan. He stays with us – right to the end – because of His great love for us!