1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:06,080 Speaker 1: Let us pray, and after six days, Jesus taketh Peter 2 00:00:06,320 --> 00:00:09,680 Speaker 1: James and John his brother, and bringeth them up into 3 00:00:09,720 --> 00:00:15,400 Speaker 1: a high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them Matthew 4 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:21,680 Speaker 1: seventeen one and two. Like Peter, James and John, I 5 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:25,040 Speaker 1: thank you, Jesus that you are giving me uncommon access 6 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:31,160 Speaker 1: to understanding and experiencing you in new and powerful ways. 7 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:35,760 Speaker 1: I praise you for your continued desire to take me 8 00:00:35,960 --> 00:00:40,839 Speaker 1: higher and deeper into the things of the Lord. In 9 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:44,440 Speaker 1: the same way that you were transfigured, Jesus, I thank 10 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:48,240 Speaker 1: you that I am being transformed into the very likeness 11 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 1: and image of You, in the same way our heavenly 12 00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:57,920 Speaker 1: Father validated your purpose Jesus with John the Baptist, I 13 00:00:58,080 --> 00:01:01,800 Speaker 1: also am recognizing the validor I have from You Lord 14 00:01:02,320 --> 00:01:08,119 Speaker 1: to be seen and heard, transform me from the inside out, 15 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 1: and let me bring others who are close to me 16 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:21,160 Speaker 1: in on the journey of a transformed life. In Jesus' name, Amen, 17 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:26,520 Speaker 1: thank you for praying with us today. Continue your time 18 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:30,399 Speaker 1: with God by listening to today's Bible story, brought to 19 00:01:30,440 --> 00:01:43,640 Speaker 1: you by Bible in a Year dot com. 20 00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:48,920 Speaker 2: A beautiful transfiguration in our last story Jesus healed a 21 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:52,400 Speaker 2: man who was blind from birth. The young man who 22 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:55,760 Speaker 2: was healed was questioned by the Pharisees, for they did 23 00:01:55,760 --> 00:01:58,640 Speaker 2: not want to admit that Jesus was truly good and 24 00:01:58,680 --> 00:02:02,400 Speaker 2: had the power to heal. The once blind man stood 25 00:02:02,440 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 2: firm and declaring that no evil man could do what 26 00:02:05,520 --> 00:02:09,760 Speaker 2: Jesus did. Now we get a glimpse of Jesus's true glory. 27 00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 2: It emerges forth on a mountain, and three of the 28 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:17,920 Speaker 2: disciples come in contact with the true holiness of Christ himself. 29 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:20,320 Speaker 2: Inspired by the Gospels. 30 00:02:23,680 --> 00:02:26,640 Speaker 3: Hello, I'm pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of The 31 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:30,040 Speaker 3: Bible in a Year. In our last episode, we heard 32 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:33,040 Speaker 3: how Jesus healed a beggar who had been blind since birth. 33 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:36,799 Speaker 3: He used the opportunity to teach his disciples an important 34 00:02:36,880 --> 00:02:40,800 Speaker 3: lesson about God's compassion and to correct their wrong thinking 35 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:44,839 Speaker 3: about the cause of illness and disease. He also used 36 00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:47,839 Speaker 3: it as an opportunity to show the Pharisees their own 37 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:52,079 Speaker 3: lack of compassion and spiritual vision. Today we'll hear how 38 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:56,760 Speaker 3: Peter demonstrates a deeper understanding of who Jesus is. Then 39 00:02:56,800 --> 00:02:59,799 Speaker 3: we'll learn how Jesus gives three of his closest disciples 40 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 3: an opportunity to see his true glory and a mountaintop 41 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:07,200 Speaker 3: experience that would lead them both terrified and in wonder 42 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:11,000 Speaker 3: at the same time. Let's listen now to the gospel reading. 43 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:17,080 Speaker 2: The fire crackled under the evening stars. Jesus and his 44 00:03:17,160 --> 00:03:22,240 Speaker 2: disciples lounged around the warm flames. Jesus was praying silently 45 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:25,919 Speaker 2: to the Lord. The disciples were staring into flickering light. 46 00:03:26,760 --> 00:03:30,519 Speaker 2: Jesus lifted his eyes to the disciples. What do people 47 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:34,760 Speaker 2: say that I am? He asked. The disciples shrugged. Some 48 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:37,400 Speaker 2: say that you are John the Baptist that he has 49 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:41,040 Speaker 2: said while poking the fire. Others say you are Elisha. 50 00:03:41,640 --> 00:03:43,800 Speaker 2: Some would even say you are one of the prophets 51 00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:46,920 Speaker 2: of old that has risen from the dead, James answered. 52 00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:51,000 Speaker 2: Jesus looked deep into the flames. But who do you 53 00:03:51,120 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 2: say that I am? He asked. It was a serious question, 54 00:03:54,960 --> 00:03:59,320 Speaker 2: a question that required thought. Peter lifted his gaze to Jesus. 55 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:02,440 Speaker 2: He was not known as a deep thinker. In fact, 56 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:07,280 Speaker 2: Peter was often known for his fast mouth and brash actions. However, 57 00:04:07,440 --> 00:04:09,640 Speaker 2: Peter was sure of what he was about to say, 58 00:04:10,120 --> 00:04:13,520 Speaker 2: he knew it in his bones. Peter looked deeply through 59 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:17,240 Speaker 2: the flames towards Jesus. You are the Christ, he said, 60 00:04:17,839 --> 00:04:21,360 Speaker 2: the son of God. It was early the next morning, 61 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:23,680 Speaker 2: and the sun had not yet peered over the horizon. 62 00:04:24,320 --> 00:04:29,039 Speaker 2: Darkness still shrouded the cool morning, and Jesus gently woke Peter, James, 63 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:32,680 Speaker 2: and John, not waking the other disciples, Jesus led them 64 00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:36,040 Speaker 2: up a hill it overlooked the first moments of sunrise. 65 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:39,520 Speaker 2: As Peter, James, and John stood over the valley below, 66 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:43,880 Speaker 2: a bright light emerged from Jesus. The brightness was piercing, 67 00:04:43,960 --> 00:04:47,279 Speaker 2: and his face shone like the rising sun itself. It 68 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:50,680 Speaker 2: was as if his humanity was unzipped and the essence 69 00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:53,680 Speaker 2: of his deity shone through the cracks. It was too 70 00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:57,039 Speaker 2: amazing and too terrifying for the three men to describe. 71 00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:01,320 Speaker 2: Emerging from the light was Moses and Elijah themselves. The 72 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:04,320 Speaker 2: three men watched as Jesus spoke with them, yet they 73 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:07,359 Speaker 2: were not as equals. The two historic men of faith 74 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:10,400 Speaker 2: bowed to Christ as their lord and spoke to him 75 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:13,880 Speaker 2: as God. It was too great for Peter's heart to handle. 76 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:17,520 Speaker 2: He spoke up and said, Lord, it is good that 77 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:20,560 Speaker 2: we are here. Let us make three tenths up here 78 00:05:20,640 --> 00:05:24,520 Speaker 2: for you, Moses and Elijah, then we can. As Peter 79 00:05:24,680 --> 00:05:28,320 Speaker 2: was speaking, a bright light consumed Peter and the others completely. 80 00:05:29,040 --> 00:05:32,240 Speaker 2: A cloud of holy radiance swirled around them like a tempest. 81 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:36,039 Speaker 2: Peter shrunk on the floor into a fetal position, covering 82 00:05:36,080 --> 00:05:39,480 Speaker 2: his eyes from the light. A voice like thunder boomed 83 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:43,440 Speaker 2: from the clouds, saying, this is my beloved son, with 84 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:48,720 Speaker 2: whom I am pleased. Hear him and only him. The 85 00:05:48,839 --> 00:05:52,280 Speaker 2: voice sent all the disciples onto their faces. Then the 86 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:57,080 Speaker 2: light disappeared. The disciples opened their eyes to see Jesus 87 00:05:57,120 --> 00:05:59,880 Speaker 2: standing alone on the top of the hill. They saw 88 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:04,480 Speaker 2: Jesus only without his radiance, but equally holy. He helped 89 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:06,760 Speaker 2: them to his feet and led them down the hill. 90 00:06:07,400 --> 00:06:09,520 Speaker 2: The sun was beginning to rise, and they could see 91 00:06:09,560 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 2: the other disciples beginning to stir awake. Tell no one 92 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:15,960 Speaker 2: of what you saw this morning. Jesus commanded the three 93 00:06:16,480 --> 00:06:19,000 Speaker 2: not until the Son of Man is raised from the dead. 94 00:06:19,839 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 2: As they were descending down, one of the disciples asked, 95 00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:25,760 Speaker 2: isn't it said that Elijah will return before the Son 96 00:06:25,800 --> 00:06:30,000 Speaker 2: of Man. Jesus nodded and said it is true, but 97 00:06:30,120 --> 00:06:34,800 Speaker 2: Elijah has already come back. You just did not recognize him. 98 00:06:35,120 --> 00:06:38,760 Speaker 2: The disciples understood who he was referring to. John the 99 00:06:38,800 --> 00:06:42,760 Speaker 2: Baptist was a voice crying from the wilderness. He was 100 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:46,280 Speaker 2: the one who came before Jesus declaring the way of 101 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:46,800 Speaker 2: the Lord. 102 00:06:49,560 --> 00:06:52,839 Speaker 3: We began today's reading with Jesus and his disciples sitting 103 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:55,919 Speaker 3: by a fire. By this point, they've seen their teacher 104 00:06:56,080 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 3: do amazing things, from healing the crippled, lame and evil 105 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:03,880 Speaker 3: and raising the dead, to feeding thousands in a miraculous 106 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:07,839 Speaker 3: display of God's provision. They've heard him speak to the Pharisees, 107 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 3: challenging their understanding of God's law and the purpose of 108 00:07:11,600 --> 00:07:16,480 Speaker 3: God's law. So Jesus begins with a simple question, who 109 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:20,600 Speaker 3: do people say I am? The disciples are quick to reply, 110 00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:23,920 Speaker 3: Some say he's Elijah, others that he's John the Baptist. 111 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:27,680 Speaker 3: There seems to be no general consensus or true understanding 112 00:07:27,720 --> 00:07:31,040 Speaker 3: among many as to who is Jesus. So then he 113 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:35,760 Speaker 3: asked the harder question, who do you say that I am? 114 00:07:35,800 --> 00:07:38,800 Speaker 3: They've been closer to Jesus than anyone. They've seen him 115 00:07:38,840 --> 00:07:42,400 Speaker 3: in public, spoken to him in private. If anyone is 116 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:45,920 Speaker 3: to grasp his true nature, it should be them. I 117 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:48,880 Speaker 3: can almost hear the crickets as the question hung in 118 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:52,640 Speaker 3: the air silence, but not for long. If there's one 119 00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:54,960 Speaker 3: thing you can say about Simon Peter is that he's 120 00:07:55,040 --> 00:07:58,280 Speaker 3: quick to jump up and speak his mind. So he says, 121 00:07:58,720 --> 00:08:03,200 Speaker 3: you are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus replied 122 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:06,680 Speaker 3: that Peter was correct, but as Jesus continued, he told 123 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:09,920 Speaker 3: him that the insight did not come from Peter's on understanding, 124 00:08:10,840 --> 00:08:13,760 Speaker 3: God had revealed this truth the foundation of the church. 125 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:16,960 Speaker 3: God would one day build the truth that Jesus is 126 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:20,080 Speaker 3: the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the world, 127 00:08:20,520 --> 00:08:23,880 Speaker 3: is the core of the Christian faith. Less than a 128 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:27,520 Speaker 3: week later, Jesus took Peter, John and James with him 129 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:30,880 Speaker 3: to the top of a high mountain. As we've seen before, 130 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:34,320 Speaker 3: these three men had a very special closeness with and 131 00:08:34,440 --> 00:08:38,439 Speaker 3: access to Jesus, but nothing they'd seen so far had 132 00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:41,960 Speaker 3: prepared them for what was about to happen. There on 133 00:08:42,040 --> 00:08:47,960 Speaker 3: top of the mountain, Jesus was transformed right before their eyes. Jesus, 134 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:50,400 Speaker 3: the light of the world, shone brightly around them. His 135 00:08:50,520 --> 00:08:53,640 Speaker 3: face was bright as the sun and his clothes shone 136 00:08:53,679 --> 00:08:57,240 Speaker 3: in brilliant white. The disciples were amazed at what they 137 00:08:57,280 --> 00:09:01,559 Speaker 3: were seeing, but there was more to come. Then Elijah 138 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:04,960 Speaker 3: and Moses were standing with Jesus talking to him. The 139 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:08,520 Speaker 3: moment was so spectacular that Peter had an idea. Why 140 00:09:08,559 --> 00:09:12,400 Speaker 3: don't we just stay here forever? He asked. It's understandable 141 00:09:12,840 --> 00:09:16,960 Speaker 3: when we experience something incredible in life, changing our desires 142 00:09:16,960 --> 00:09:20,079 Speaker 3: often to capture that moment and never let it end. 143 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:23,760 Speaker 3: But to do so would have been self serving. This 144 00:09:23,840 --> 00:09:26,640 Speaker 3: moment was meant to move these disciples to greater things 145 00:09:26,679 --> 00:09:30,280 Speaker 3: in the future. Everything that Jesus is on the inside 146 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:34,160 Speaker 3: is now radiating on the outside. It is a metamorphosis, 147 00:09:34,360 --> 00:09:39,679 Speaker 3: a transfiguration, and they the disciples, would then be empowered 148 00:09:39,679 --> 00:09:42,360 Speaker 3: to take Jesus, the light of the world, to every 149 00:09:42,400 --> 00:09:45,760 Speaker 3: person they could. It's a reminder for all of us 150 00:09:45,800 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 3: to take these high mountaintop experiences when we feel very 151 00:09:49,240 --> 00:09:52,280 Speaker 3: close to God and allow them to strengthen us and 152 00:09:52,440 --> 00:09:55,640 Speaker 3: encourage us so that we would pursue God and share 153 00:09:55,679 --> 00:09:59,600 Speaker 3: his love with others. No sooner had Peter spoken than 154 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:02,320 Speaker 3: a cloud came over them, just as a cloud had 155 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:05,000 Speaker 3: covered Israel in the days of Moses in the desert. 156 00:10:05,760 --> 00:10:08,920 Speaker 3: God's voice thundered out of that cloud, repeating what God 157 00:10:08,960 --> 00:10:11,960 Speaker 3: had said when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. 158 00:10:12,440 --> 00:10:15,240 Speaker 3: This is my son, with whom I am well pleased. 159 00:10:16,040 --> 00:10:19,440 Speaker 3: But this time the identification of Jesus as God's son 160 00:10:19,679 --> 00:10:23,920 Speaker 3: came with a command. And that command is this, listen 161 00:10:24,240 --> 00:10:27,400 Speaker 3: to him. If there had been any question in their 162 00:10:27,400 --> 00:10:29,680 Speaker 3: minds that Jesus had come from heaven, that he is 163 00:10:29,720 --> 00:10:32,920 Speaker 3: the son of God, now all doubt was wiped away. 164 00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:38,400 Speaker 3: This realization filled Peter, James and John with fear because 165 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:41,320 Speaker 3: they were in the presence of God. But then we 166 00:10:41,320 --> 00:10:44,960 Speaker 3: see in Matthew seventeen and verse seven, but Jesus came 167 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:48,480 Speaker 3: and touched them, saying, rise and have no fear. They 168 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:51,880 Speaker 3: had nothing to fear because Jesus was with them, And 169 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:54,280 Speaker 3: the same is true today. Because of Christ, we do 170 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:56,959 Speaker 3: not have to fear the presence of God. We can 171 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:00,560 Speaker 3: fear him properly and respect him and revere him. But 172 00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:04,360 Speaker 3: fear real fear. The fear of God is love on 173 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:08,280 Speaker 3: its knees and worship of our God. As they descended 174 00:11:08,280 --> 00:11:10,679 Speaker 3: the mouth, and Jesus told them to keep what had 175 00:11:10,720 --> 00:11:13,400 Speaker 3: happened to themselves until the Son of Man had risen 176 00:11:13,400 --> 00:11:17,640 Speaker 3: from the dead. This command likely perplexed them, as they 177 00:11:17,640 --> 00:11:20,560 Speaker 3: still did not fully understand what Jesus was going to do. 178 00:11:21,840 --> 00:11:24,680 Speaker 3: One of the disciples asked why some say Elijah must 179 00:11:24,679 --> 00:11:27,920 Speaker 3: return before the Son of Man, and Jesus explained that 180 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:31,880 Speaker 3: in a way, this had already happened. John the Baptist 181 00:11:31,920 --> 00:11:35,120 Speaker 3: had completed the ministry of Elijah, preparing the way of 182 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:39,040 Speaker 3: the Lord. But just as the people fail to recognize Jesus, 183 00:11:39,559 --> 00:11:42,160 Speaker 3: they did not recognize that John the Baptist was the 184 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:46,800 Speaker 3: one declaring the arrival of the Savior. Dear God, we 185 00:11:46,920 --> 00:11:49,960 Speaker 3: thank you for your word, which is light and life 186 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:53,559 Speaker 3: to us. Thank you that you are the Savior, the 187 00:11:53,559 --> 00:11:55,880 Speaker 3: Son of God, who is the light of the world. 188 00:11:56,760 --> 00:12:00,240 Speaker 3: Help us to remember that in mountaintop experiences, and we 189 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:03,120 Speaker 3: see you clearly that it's not enough for us to 190 00:12:03,160 --> 00:12:05,840 Speaker 3: remain there, but we are to go and tell others 191 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:08,640 Speaker 3: of your love and your grace. We pray this in 192 00:12:08,679 --> 00:12:12,880 Speaker 3: the name of Jesus. Amen. Thank you for listening once 193 00:12:12,920 --> 00:12:16,480 Speaker 3: again to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Jack 194 00:12:16,520 --> 00:12:20,560 Speaker 3: Graham from Dallas, Texas. Please download thepray dot com app 195 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:24,160 Speaker 3: and make prayer and Bible study the priority of your life. 196 00:12:24,559 --> 00:12:27,200 Speaker 3: And if you enjoyed this podcast, share it with someone 197 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:30,640 Speaker 3: you love because by sharing this word of God, you 198 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:33,679 Speaker 3: can make a difference in someone's life. And if you 199 00:12:33,760 --> 00:12:36,520 Speaker 3: want more resources on how to tap into God's power 200 00:12:36,960 --> 00:12:39,719 Speaker 3: for living the Christian life, be sure to visit us 201 00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:49,120 Speaker 3: at Jack Graham dot org. God bless This episode is 202 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:53,240 Speaker 3: sponsored by Meta Share, an innovative healthcare solution for Christians 203 00:12:53,480 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 3: to save money without sacrificing quality. 204 00:12:57,559 --> 00:13:00,000 Speaker 2: Welcome to the Premius podcast, where hope is our own 205 00:13:00,040 --> 00:13:04,319 Speaker 2: only bias. Each day, we'll unpack the most prominent stories 206 00:13:04,360 --> 00:13:07,040 Speaker 2: happening in the news and offer a Christian perspective. 207 00:13:07,880 --> 00:13:10,160 Speaker 1: We won't shy away from the hard topics, and we 208 00:13:10,240 --> 00:13:14,000 Speaker 1: won't dilute the hopeful message of Christ. This is more 209 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:15,440 Speaker 1: than a daily brief on the news. 210 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:18,439 Speaker 2: It's a way to be informed and transformed. 211 00:13:19,640 --> 00:13:23,160 Speaker 1: Listen to Pray News on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, 212 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:24,960 Speaker 1: or wherever you get your podcasts.