One On One: 100 Days With Jesus--Ministry YearsSample

Glory: The One who was and will be   

Jesus’ time on earth was at its solstice. Starting now, all roads cascade in a fast, downhill race to Jerusalem and the Cross. In three months, Jesus will lay down His life. 

Perhaps saying it out loud to the disciples made it all the more real to Him. 

Jesus needed His Father. He needed confirmation and clarity. He needed strength to continue with the plan. Perhaps most of all, He needed comfort. Perspective. Yes, He knew the reason He left heaven for earth was to die for the sins of the world, but now it’s here and in His humanity, the prospect overwhelmed Him. So with His three closest men, Jesus climbed a mountain to pray.

After the hike up the mountain, Peter, James, and John took a nap, and Jesus went to His knees. Suddenly, a light burst from His face and His clothes flashed like lightning. For a few brief shining moments, time and space shifted. This Jesus, bursting with light, became the Jesus He was before He came to earth. The burden of His humanity lifted momentarily and Jesus stood there as He always has existed in His glory. 

But He wasn’t alone. His Father sent two servants to help Him, just like He did three years ago when He dispatched angels to Jesus after 40 days in the wilderness. This time, the Father sent Moses and Elijah. 

Yes, the same Moses who 1300 years before led God’s people out of Egypt and who carried the ten commandments down the mountain—that Moses. Moses had asked God if he could glimpse His glory and now there he is, standing with Jesus in His glory (and finally in the Promised Land.) 

And Elijah, the courageous prophet, who 850 years before stood for God in a wicked generation and on another mountain just south of here called down fire on evil, and stopped the rain on command, and for whom God sent a chariot of fire to escort him directly to heaven. 

These were the rock stars of Jewish history. But for Jesus, they were messengers from home. They knew who He was, where He’d come from, and where He was going. They stood with Him and strengthened Him. 

Perhaps they reminded this weary Warrior of the joy ahead. On the cross a few weeks from now, He will defeat death. He will trample evil and sin under His feet. Someday He will present His blood-bought believing ones to His Father and bring them home with Him. Just the reminder of it all renewed Jesus’ courage.

By now, the disciples were awake and witnessing the dazzling scene. They’re amazed to see their heroes from history. But simply a glimpse of Jesus’ glory sent them to their faces in awe. 

Then a cloud enveloped the mountaintop and a voice thundered, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” The same voice, the same approval Jesus heard from His Father at the beginning of His ministry now strengthened Him for the final run. Recharged, Jesus was ready for what waited for Him in Jerusalem. 

And just like that, the mountaintop was dark and quiet again. Jesus reached down and helped His stunned friends to their feet. Wide-eyed and quiet, they looked at Him for the first time.

Once you see Jesus for who He really is, can you ever see life or yourself the same way again? 

 Tomorrow: One on one with Jesus and a grateful sinner