IF... the motive matters!

I was just reading how Satan said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God..."  This reminded me that theologians will often use "If" by saying, "If this is true..." They are using the same tactic that Satan used to cause doubt or test Jesus.

Is this a good idea?

It made me think about the heart motive.

Satan seeks to turn Jesus away from God.

Theologians are seeking to turn people toward God. 

Motive matters.  

What do you think? 

Have you ever had someone speak a truth that caused you confusion? 

Or had someone speak a truth that resonated deep in your bones?  

Motive matters.

Why Peter, James and John?

I was asked this week, "Why did Jesus choose Peter,  James, and John?"

That is a really good question. Why?

There are so many layers to the possibilities.

First, we can truly only deeply invest in a select few. Not everyone can be with us in our highest high and our lowest low. These three were the ones. They were allowed into the Transfiguration and the Garden of Gethsemene. 

Jesus modeled for us a simple pattern of investment. One beloved, a chosen select three to deeply invest in, and twelve to train and equip.

Even though John is called the beloved one, Peter is the one we see Jesus investing in the most of the three. Why? Peter is the one Jesus said, "He was giving the keys to the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 16:19). So, it makes since that Jesus would work deeply in Peter's character, knowledge, counsel, and understanding. The church would be born through his testimony.

But, what of the Sons of Thunder? James and John were known for being hot heads. It would be easy to say it was because Jesus needed to tame these two, but here is the reality.

James was the first Apostle to be martyred. His hot headedness was passion without Holy direction. Could it be that Jesus knew his passion would make him an important witness for God's kingdom? James needed to be present because James was going to give his head on the chopping block of Herod Agrippa. James needed to be fearless as he bore witness. Was Jesus giving him the gift of presence in the highs and lows because He knew it would give the fuel to James' passionate nature to speak boldly even in the face of death?

Now, John, he was the one who called himself the beloved disciple. He was the last of the Apostles to die. Is it possible that he felt beloved because he was the one Jesus knew would suffer through the pain of seeing and experiencing the loss of all his brothers suffering through horrific deaths for simply speaking the truth about Jesus? I wonder how many times John experienced the fright of flight before he penned Revelation.

Yeah, good question!

It makes me also wonder, What about you?  What about me? What is it that Jesus is allowing us to see, experience, or know?  How might these things be unfolding because He knows what we must do for God's kingdom to grow through our testimony? 

I dare say that like Peter, James, and John, we will not know the impact of our testimony today in the economy of the Ancient of Days.

Shalom, Shalom y'all! 

The Transfiguration

In the transfiguration, Jesus' glory was revealed. I once read that the miracle wasn't that Jesus' glory was revealed in that moment, but that it was concealed the rest of the time. Powerful thought.

This is my storyboard to remember this story.

Jesus is in the middle with rays beaming from Him. Moses holds a scroll and Elijah a shepherds stick while Jesus' arms extend as a cross to remind me they have come to talk to Jesus about what will happen in Jerusalem. 

A cloud encircled all of them. This reminds me that the voice of God spoke saying, "This is my Son, whom I love, listen to Him." 

Peter, James and John are just looking up as the Shekina (Glory) is revealed. I use the three figures to remember Peter wanted to create three tabernacles to celebrate this moment. Peter is pointing up so I know he is who spoke up. 

A simple sketch for a profound moment of remembrance. Can you imagine seeing something so miraculous only to be told, "Tell no one of this!" 

Matthew 17:1-13