A Panel Discussion Between Moses, Elijah and Jesus

ALL – Psalm 73:1-28
ALL – Proverbs 12:10
OT – Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20
NT – Luke 9:28-50

You’ve seen it at leadership conferences, weight-loss retreats, church planting networks, universities, and Fortune-500 companies. When experts get together, people pay attention. After all, what’s better than one expert? How about a whole panel of them? If you want to learn, you turn to the experts, and panel discussions are wonderful opportunities for learning because experts sharpen one another and spur on one another’s best thinking.

If you want to know God, you ought to listen to the experts. Peter, James and John had that opportunity one day. They went up a mountain with Jesus, and while they were there they saw Moses and Elijah appear with them on the mountain. Not only that, but Jesus was gloriously transfigured before them. These three men represent all the wisdom God has revealed; Moses represents God’s Law (part of the Old Testament), Elijah represents God’s Prophets (another part of the OT), and Jesus is the center of our entire New Testament. What greater experts could you find to point the way to God? In this panel discussion of the ages, what did they talk about?

They were splendid in appearance, glorious to see; and they were speaking of his death at Jerusalem, to be carried out in accordance with God’s plan. – Luke 9:31, The Living Bible

They were talking about the culmination of Jesus’ ministry! The cross! The resurrection! Perhaps even His ascension (other translations say they were talking about “his departure”)! Moses (the Law), Elijah (the Prophets) and Jesus all agree: Jesus’ cross is our way to God!

Let’s pay attention to this panel discussion.

But let’s notice one thing more: our hope is not in the panel. Our hope is in the Expert of experts, the Servant of servants, the Guide of guides, the Lord of lords and King of kings—Jesus Christ. As Peter and the other two disciples began to realize what was going on, they responded with awe and wanted to set up camp right there, to hold on to all three of these wonderful people. But God intervened:

And a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him.” Then, as the voice died away, Jesus was there alone with his disciples. – Luke 9:35-36, The Living Bible

Moses and Elijah never expected to receive the glory and honor and attention we give to Jesus. They came to lead us to Jesus. They came to introduce us to our God, the King, the eternal Son, the one who would one day die for our sins, conquering sin—only to rise from the dead three days later, conquering death, too.

Are you listening to Him?

To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.

Being the Church - Video

I just watched and would like to share a helpful video about what it means to be the church. Pastor Daniel Montgomery of Sojourn Community Church keeps it simple, but shares some big concepts from God that can transform the way we look at ourselves as the church.

Church 101 from Sojourn Community Church on Vimeo.

Jesus Christ Gave Himself for You

ALL – Psalm 31:19-24
ALL – Proverbs 8:14-26
OT – Exodus 29:1-30:10
NT – Matthew 26:14-46

I have three of the most wonderful kids in the world, and I would suffer just about anything to keep them safe, even (especially!) if they were putting their own lives in danger. But I’m not so gung-ho to protect adults who are risking their necks. They should know better! I believe I would try to help someone in real trouble, even if I didn’t know them. But I would be very careful to protect myself in the process. I think so, anyways.

Jesus came into a world full of people whose sins were leading them to the brink of death. People who should have known better—many of them, at least. And instead of protecting Himself, Jesus gave Himself to save us all, all who will trust in Him. Deliberately. On the night He was betrayed, Jesus was intent on saving us:

As they were eating, Jesus took a small loaf of bread and blessed it and broke it apart and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take it and eat it, for this is my body.” And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks for it and gave it to them and said, “Each one drink from it, for this is my blood, sealing the New Covenant. It is poured out to forgive the sins of multitudes. Mark my words—I will not drink this wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” – Matthew 26:26-29

He gave Himself to save sinners. You and I are sinners. Have you received His salvation yet? If not, please do. If so, please walk in Jesus’ salvation.

To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.