Where Are My Eyes Fixed? Ministry Success, or Seeing Jesus?

Doug Holliday

“Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials —one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭17:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a mountain with Him. 

A theme is emerging.  

  • Jesus prioritized time away.  
  • Jesus prioritized time alone.  
  • Jesus prioritized time for rest.  
  • Jesus prioritized time for prayer. 

“Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭17:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus led them up a mountain.  A high mountain.  High.  That tells me that not many would venture to make that trip.  Jesus went to a place where He knew He could be alone. 

  • The value of alone. 
  • The value of quiet. 

As the four of them are alone atop the mountain, praying and resting, the four becomes six.  Moses and Elijah join them and begin talking with Jesus.  As they do, Jesus appearance is transformed.  He became bright white and shone like the sun, a piercing, blinding light. 

Peter, James, and John were impressed.  They wanted to make this a permanent experience.  They wanted to enjoy.  They were mesmerized by the experience.  They were in awe of seeing Moses and Elijah.  

Am I ever more impressed by the ministry than I am by Jesus Himself?  Am I ever more impressed by the impact of the activity of God than I am by God Himself?

Ouch. 

Peter, James, and John were with Jesus every day.  And yet, now Moses and Elijah show up and they want to build a shrine to memorialize the moment. 

“Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭17:7-8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

They saw only Jesus. 

They saw only Jesus!  All the glitz and pop evaporated, and what mattered remained.  Jesus. 

Where are my eyes focused?  Are they more focused on the activity of God than on the God of the activity?

May my eyes always return to Jesus.  May I see Him.  May I hold onto Him.  May I feel His touch on my shoulder, and return my gaze to Him. 

They only saw Jesus. 

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

NOTE:Today’s blogpost is based upon Sonlife’s study, Knowing Him / A 50 Day Study in the Life of Christ / Day 38