Day 1 – No Glimpse, No Glory!

One of the greatest philosophers in American sports (I mean, Yogi Berra) once said, "You can observe a lot by just watching." Now, I’m not entirely sure what he meant by that, but I completely understand the idea that sometimes you need to catch a glimpse of something before you can... well... truly see its possibilities.

It was the same for this guy named Gideon. He didn’t think much of himself, but God saw something in him. God didn’t see Gideon for what he was—He saw him for what he could be, for what he maybe even secretly wanted to be, and more than that: for what God intended to make of him. God had already caught a glimpse of what Gideon would become.

The disciples of Jesus, of course, had already caught quite a few glimpses of who He really was and what He had come to do. But in today’s story, they get to see much more than just a glimpse! Not just a small flash, but a full-blown revelation of Jesus—not as a rabbi or just a man—but as none other than the Son of God.

Wow…the Bible says, “We live by faith, not by sight.” That’s true, but still, our faith is often built on what we hope to see—or on the small glimpses we’ve already caught. And even more, we get to look over the shoulders of Peter, James, and John and witness what they saw, and hear what they have heard!

And here’s the thing: you can observe a lot by just watching. When you understand and believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He came to show us the way, to teach us, and to take us—straight through death itself—into new life with Him, you begin to grasp the importance of what happens here, on this mountain. Because then you start to see what He sees in you and me.

And that’s the last “glimpse” for today. May you catch a glimpse of what God—what Jesus—sees in you. You are so deeply loved that He came for you, stepping down the mountain just for you. Will you let Him in?