Read: Luke 9:28-36
The clock winds down, approximately 40 days before the crucifixion of Christ. Jesus warns the disciples of the horrors to come. His words fall on deaf ears. No one likes to hear that their beloved leader’s plans oppose their personal plans. The disciples believe Jesus is going to transform their political futures, make Israel great again, and that they will rule right alongside Him. In all their earthly glory, they will make their mammas proud, safely sheltered from this world’s hurts. God will vanquish the Romans. Little do they know a hurricane of pain is coming. The disciples need shelter.
A CROSS PROVIDES NO SHELTER
Jesus warns them, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. …Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” (Luke 9:22-24) No wonder the disciples ignore these words. Taking up a cross does not fit their plans. A cross provides no shelter.
Witnessing the Transfiguration offers the disciples a glimpse of eternity for the unbearable days which are approaching. The disciples catch sight of the glory of the Eternal Christ. Jesus offers a shelter and guard for the disciples’ hearts.
GUARDED HEARTS
Paul Tripp writes in “Forever: Why You Can’t Live Without It”: “The word ‘guard’ in I Peter 1:5-6 tells us exactly what God is doing in the here and now, and exactly why we can have hope, even in unexpected moments of pain. Not only does God have a plan that you are included in, but he is also with you daily and guarding you through every situation as he is preparing you for forever. Guarded means that not only is your future guaranteed, but it means that God is protecting you in the here and now as well. If forever is in your future, then God must ‘guard’ you between now and whenever forever becomes your permanent address. ‘Guarded’ means you cannot only be assured of future hope, but of the right here, right now comfort of present help”.
GOD’S WORDS FOR SHELTER
Peter suggests they build sacred shelters to guard the present party of visitors who have arrived from eternity. Afterall, isn’t eternity arriving with the disciples sitting on thrones? God doesn’t strike down Peter, God drives to the heart of the matter, “This is My beloved Son, My Chosen One; listen and obey and yield to Him!” God provides shelter and the answer for the coming days. “Listen and obey and yield to Him!” He speaks to their eternity, present and future.
YIELD YOUR PRESENT ETERNITY
“This is My beloved Son, My Chosen One; listen and obey and yield to Him!” Obedience guards our hearts and provides the shelter we need today. Is this your daily goal? Yield your present eternity to Him.
Click to read how Christians across the globe are practicing eternal living today.