Mountaintop Message

The transfiguration of Jesus is a well known event in the ministry of Jesus for people with even a Sunday School level of Christian training. Jesus takes Peter, James and John with him to the top of a mountain and is transfigured before them so that he is shining with a light that is brighter than the sun. Moses and Elijah appear and have a conversation with him. A cloud envelops them all and a voice speaks out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!"

The question is, "What does this mean?" Why did this happen at this point in Jesus' ministry? What did it accomplish for these disciples? How does it fit into God's programs for Israel and the Church? What does it mean for us today? How should we respond?

What Kind Of Savior?

It is hard to forget that the 2016 presidential election is in full swing. The polarization of America between left and right has never been more evident.

On the far left is Bernie Sanders, a self-styled "Democratic-Socialist" who is doing very well with young adults who presumably do not remember the socialists of the past century. Bernie is pulling Hillary Clinton to the left... but she was already pretty far left to start. Either one of these candidates will, if elected, shift the balance of the Supreme Court to the point where the constitution and bill of rights are completely meaningless and "constitutional" will only mean "the current cultural prejudice of progressive theory."

The candidate most popular with the people on the far right is Donald Trump. I cannot say that Mr. Trump is himself on the far right, because all of his extreme conservative positions are completely opposite of his historic positions on the same issues. He is, at best, a political opportunist, capitalizing on the anger and frustration of conservative Americans who are sick of having been force fed progressive social dogma over the past generation.

What do we know about the character of this man? He is a narcissist, a blowhard, immoral, unfaithful, violent, bigoted, misogynistic, dictatorial, obscene and arrogant. And the so called "evangelicals" are evidently voting for him in the primaries. So Mr. Trump is not even a standard bearer for a position. He is only a mirror reflecting a seething rage among millions of Americans who feel disenfranchised. Will he accomplish anything good if he becomes president?

Who should we vote for? You will need to decide for yourself.

Against this "black-drop" of decay, think about Jesus Christ - the Savior of the World.

Sinless Savior. Loving God. Humble and Meek. The Righteous Judge. Exalted to the right hand of the Father. Glorious in majesty.

Jesus is our hope - our only hope.

I fully expect America to continue its descent into the moral abyss, no matter who is elected. Communities will become increasingly lawless and impossible to police. Vigilante justice will result in shootings and lynchings. Polarization will increase. Despair will be the norm.

But Jesus will stand as a bright light - a beacon of hope - a ray of sunshine - inviting people to come to him for transformation - sins forgiven - new hearts for God - new hope for life everlasting.

Polluted Water

Once I was high in the mountains of eastern Arizona and I needed some water. There was a spring of water there on the top of the mountain, but it had been used as a wallow for the elk. It was all torn up and crisscrossed with elk tracks.

The water was there - in muddy elk tracks polluted by elk droppings.

Would you drink it?

This is a good illustration of what our hearts look like to God when we are polluted by sin.

True Disciples

The original twelve disciples of Jesus were pupils, traveling with and learning from their Rabbi. They evidently figured that when Jesus made it big and came to rule the world from Jerusalem that they would have high positions in his government.

But Jesus had a different plan and a very different idea about what makes a disciple.

Seeking A Sign

Some people suggest that what the gospel needs is "signs and wonders." If we would only do miracles of healing, raising the dead and calling down fire from heaven - then people would believe what we say about Jesus.

But Jesus, who was doing such miracles, was still not believed by the vast majority of the people. Besides that, when the Jewish leaders came to him and demanded a sign from heaven, Jesus refused. Seems that Jesus knew something about this that is greater than what we know.

Children & Dogs

Jesus is such a nice person in most of the gospel accounts. But what is going on when he is approached by the Syrophoenician woman? He ignores her, refuses to help her and insults her? What are we supposed to learn from this?

Jesus & The Posers

When the Pharisees and Scribes came to see Jesus they did not notice his exceptional teaching and miracles. They focused in on the fact that his disciples did not conform to the "traditions of the elders." This really bugged the Pharisees.

But Jesus points them to something far more important. He says that their traditions are not going to help them achieve godliness and purity. They need something else.