Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ

Matthew 17:1-8

Today in our modern world man is taught to believe in himself. It has been engrained in our minds in modern times not to trust anybody, depend on anybody, and put no confidence in anybody. We are to believe in one person and that is ourselves. There is some truth in not relying upon or trusting other people. Many people, even the closest of friends tend to let us down in some way and from that we develop the attitude “I am just going to do it myself!” This is all fine and good until the day comes when we even let ourselves down. Then who do we look to?

Someone asked G K Chesterton once “If a man cannot believe in himself then who is he to believe in?” Chesterton responded “This is the starting point of the Gospel.” Who can man believe in? Jesus says to believe on Him! Notice I said believe on and not in. A man can believe in many things and never commit himself to them. And this is the reason why we or others let ourselves down to begin with. We can never be fully committed the way we should be because of our fallen human nature. Selfishness and pride tend to get in the way and the next thing you know we fail others and ourselves.

Peter wanted to make three tabernacles or tents. One for Moses, one for Elijah, and one for Jesus. A tent or tabernacle was a place set aside for the worship of God and God alone. At this point, Peter and the disciples did not see any difference between the three. But then God the Father spake! “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye Him!” After this voice came the disciples fell down and when they arose again “They saw no man save Jesus only.”

The point I would like to make is that Man at his best and the best of men have faults and failures and we dare not build a tabernacle for man. Moses and Elijah were great men of God and both were instrumental in Gods overall plan of redemption. They were highly effective and well respected but they were still men! They had their sins and struggles but yet God gave them grace in their weakness.

The point of the Transfiguration is to show forth the preeminence of Christ. We can believe in great men and woman of God but we should never believe on them. To believe on is to cast oneself upon and totally commit one’s life too. When we look to others we will eventually be disappointed. When we look at ourselves we will eventually disgusted. But when we look unto Jesus we will always be delighted!

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!

Pastor Robby