Peter

September 30

Matthew 17:1-13, (Luke 9:32)

Peter’s amazing experience

Jesus went up a high mountain with Peter, James and John to be alone and to pray. While they were on the mountain, a change came over Jesus: His face shone like the sun and His clothes were dazzling white. Just then, Moses and Elijah appeared and started talking to Jesus.

Peter, who had dozed off, woke up and blurted out, “Lord, it is so wonderful to be here! I can make three shelters: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

While Peter was still speaking, a shining cloud came over them, and a voice said, “This is my own dear Son with whom I am pleased—listen to Him!”

The terrified disciples fell with their faces to the ground, but Jesus touched them saying, “Don’t be afraid.”

How did Jesus make His face shine?

On a rainy day, when the sky is a misty gray, we say that the sun isn’t shining (because we can’t see it). Yet if we could rise above the clouds, we would see that the sun is shining, and has never stopped shining.

Jesus has never stopped shining either! From before time began, the brightness of His holiness has been shining, and will carry on shining forever. His light is so bright that we won’t even need the sun to give us light in heaven. “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light” Revelation 22:5.

Just as we suddenly see the sun beams shine through a break in the clouds, the three disciples were allowed to see the glory of Jesus for a short while. As the rays of light streamed from His body, they saw the glory of His holiness. Jesus didn’t have to do anything to shine: He IS the Light of the world (John 8:12). And as we become more and more like Jesus, we start reflecting more and more of His glorious light (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Verse for today  

The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. Numbers 6:25