Only Jesus

2-24-23

Today's devotion is based on Matthew 17:8, "When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus."
Peter, James, and John had just seen their Jesus transfigured into a shining and glorious version of himself. Jesus showed them who he truly was as the Son of God. The three disciples also saw two great prophets from long ago: Moses and Elijah. Seeing Jesus in all his glory and hearing the voice of God the Father speak from the heavens must have made the three disciples feel very small and unworthy. We are told that after they heard the voice from heaven, "they fell facedown to the ground, terrified."

But Jesus approached them, touched them, and said, "Get up. Don't be afraid." At that point, they looked and saw no one except Jesus. Moses and Elijah were gone. As great as it was seeing all the glory of God there on the mountain, what they needed to see was only Jesus.

This is ultimately what we need to see; only Jesus. The glory of God is too bright and overwhelming for us poor sinners. We needed God to come to us when we could never approach him. So, he did. Jesus, God himself, came to earth in our flesh and blood to be one of us so he could die for us in our place. If we want to know God, we look to Jesus. He is the one who allows us to come to the Father. He is the one who makes us worthy of all the glory of God by sharing the glory of his resurrection with us. He is what we need; only Jesus.
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Please pray with me: Dear Jesus, thank you for coming as one of us to save me. Please help me to look to you alone as I live my life of joys and troubles so that I can know the peace that indeed passes all understanding. Thank you for being our Way to the Father and glory everlasting. In your blessed name, I pray. Amen.