Mark 9:8 “And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.”
I’ve always wondered what it would have been like to be Peter, James, and John, the three disciples Jesus reserved wonderful and specific mentoring and teaching for. These disciples saw Jairus’ daughter raised from the dead, heard Jesus pray in the garden on the night of His arrest, and in this place, were called up to the mountain to watch Him transfigure. They literally caught a glimpse of His deity peak out from His humanity as He prayed.
It was then that Moses and Elijah, two prominent Old Testament figures who represented the Law and the Prophets, arrived to speak with Jesus. Peter got the idea to build tents, go camping, and remain on the mountaintop - not a horrible idea, but not the best idea! While he spoke, the cloud descended and the Father spoke; “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” The cloud dissipated and they saw none but Jesus!
Our Tendency
We love to do much of the same. We will often embrace Jesus as a good thing, but along with a bunch of other “good” things. Family, church work, business, recreation, friendships, financial planning, a spouse, fiancé, or boyfriend/girlfriend can all easily occupy too high of a position of prominence in our hearts.
Our Aim
Our aim is to hear Jesus. To hear Him. It was only by hearing Jesus that Peter would ever successfully interpret Moses and Elijah, the Law and the Prophets. And we will only be able to interpret the good things in our lives correctly by placing Jesus where He belongs, alone and first in our hearts, recognizing Him as the one deserving preeminence, the King.
When Jesus is first, all the rest in our lives will be viewed correctly.
Your spouse, family, friendships, relationships, work, finances, recreation, or any other thing can only be viewed correctly when Jesus is in the first place. We only see them accurately when He is on the throne.
Our Push
I encourage you to allow Jesus to sit on the throne of your heart. Perhaps you have believed in Him, but have allowed a measure of spiritual apathy to invade your heart. Perhaps you have drifted. Perhaps some very “good” things in life have overtaken you like an all-consuming fire.
If this is you, get alone with Him. Pour out your heart, mind, and soul in confession before Him. Tell Him that you’ve been wrong to allow anything else to sit on the same level with Him. Receive His grace and mercy. Walk afresh with Him.
When He is first, everything else can become clear, but when He isn’t everything will become cloudy. Hear Him.
In Christ,
Nate
