From the desk of Pastor Ben

The Father’s Testimony of the Son – Part 1

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!”         (Matthew 17:5)

Another confirmation of Jesus’ deity was the terror caused by the intervention of the Father while Peter was still speaking. Through the form of a bright cloud, God overshadowed the 3 disciples and spoke to them in “a voice out of the cloud.” The Father spoke identical words at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:17), and during Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem — only a few days before His betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion — the Father again publically and directly declared  His approval of the Son (John 12:28).

In calling Jesus His Son, the Father declared Him to be of identical nature and essence with Himself (John 5:17-20). Jesus is the essence of divine nature as the apostles repeatedly emphasize (see Romans 1:1-4; Colossians 1:3).

In calling Jesus His “beloved Son,” the Father declared not only a relationship of divine nature but also a relationship of divine love. They had a relationship of mutual love, commitment, and identification in every way.

In saying, “with whom I am well-pleased,” the Father declared His approval with everything the Son was, said, and did. Everything about Jesus was in perfect accord with the Father’s will and plan.

Ask Yourself:
Would you say you are “well-pleased” with your Lord and Savior today? Or do you perhaps take issue with Him about some of the things he has said, done, or allowed into your life? Begin or end this day by getting your trust and love for Him settled again in your heart.

From the desk of Pastor Ben
Peter Testifies of Jesus

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
                                    (Matthew 17:4)

Luke gives us the additional information that Peter spoke “not realizing what he was saying” (Luke 9:33). Peter completely failed to comprehend the significance of Jesus’ glory or of Moses’ and Elijah’s testimony. In his combined bewilderment and fear, Peter could think of nothing but making three tabernacles with his own hands in which Jesus and the two Old Testament saints could dwell.

We can only guess at Peter’s motive for making the suggestion. He had no interest in Jesus’ going to Jerusalem or in His coming again. He wanted the Lord to stay, not leave and return. He especially did not want Him to leave by way of death (Matthew 16:2). As usual, he was caught up in his own plans and his own will rather than the Lord’s.

Peter’s idea was not so much wrong as foolish. He was foolish in perhaps thinking that Jesus might not have to die after all, that there was now opportunity to fulfill His mission by avoiding the cross and therefore avoiding the need of later returning. Peter was also foolish in placing Moses and Elijah, great as they were, on the same level as Christ by wanting to build tabernacles for all three of them. Only Christ is supreme.

Ask Yourself:
If you were able to take a brash, reactionary approach to the issues in your life right now that seem too big to handle, what would you probably do? And looking back from a point in the near or distant future, how do you think that action would appear? It is always better to wait and worship.

From the desk of Pastor Ben
Old Testament Greats Testify of Jesus

“Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.”
                                    (Matthew 17:3)

Out of the many godly Old Testament believers God could have chosen to appear with Jesus, why did He choose Moses and Elijah? As no others, Moses and Elijah represented the Old Testament, the law and the prophets. And they could give testimony to Christ’s divine majesty and glory. By their presence together, they affirmed, in effect, “This is the One of whom we testified, the One in whose power we ministered, and the One in whom everything we said and did has meaning. Everything we spoke, accomplished, and hoped for is fulfilled in Him.”

Luke says that these two great saints were talking with Jesus “of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:31). They were not simply there to reflect on the Lord’s glory, but they were talking with Him as friend to Friend about His departure, His imminent sacrifice, which was the supreme objective and work of His earthly ministry.

It was significant that the discussion was about Christ’s saving work through His death, because it was this truth the disciples found most difficult to accept. Moses and Elijah gave confirmation not only of Jesus’ divine glory, but also of His divine plan. Their supernatural testimony no doubt later gave the apostles added conviction and courage as they proclaimed that Jesus was “delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23).

Ask Yourself:
If even the revered leaders and prophets of ancient Israel are in awe of Christ, recognizing Him as their Lord, how much more readily should we bow before His presence, honoring Him for His majesty, thanking Him for His loving sacrifice on our behalf?

From the desk of Pastor Ben
Christ’s Transformation

“He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.”         (Matthew 17:2)

During this brief display of divine glory, Jesus “was transfigured.” That is the translation of the Greek word metamorphoo, from which we get metamorphosis. It basically means “change into another form.” From within Himself, Jesus’ divine glory was manifested before Peter, James, and John.

Here Jesus revealed Himself as He truly is, the Son of God. As the divine glory radiated from His face, it illuminated even His garments, which became “white as light” in supernatural testimony to His spiritual splendor.

The “light” portrayed Jesus’ glory and majesty, as Peter testified years later in his second epistle: “For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased’” (2 Peter 1:17). John later testified that “we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

In His human form Jesus Christ was hidden, but when He comes again, He will come in His full divine majesty and glory, a glimpse of which Peter, James, and John witnessed on the mountain. From now on there could be no doubt He was God incarnate, and there should have been no doubt He would come some day in the fullness of His glory.

Ask Yourself:
How encouraging of Christ to use this event to provide a context for the hard realities He had just told to His followers, as well as to confirm the glorious realities still to come. How has Jesus encouraged your heart in recent days, and how have you responded?

From the desk of Pastor Ben
Eyewitnesses of the Transfiguration

“Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter, and  James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves.”         (Matthew 17:1)

Peter, James, and John were they most intimate disciples of Jesus, so it isn’t surprising that it was these three that Jesus took with Him. Four reasons seem likely for Jesus’ taking only these three men to witness His transfiguration. First, they would be reliable witnesses of His manifested glory, able to confirm the event to the other disciples and to the rest of the church. The Lord’s promised display of His kingdom glory (Matthew 16:27-28) would be confirmed by the testimony of these three trustworthy witnesses.

Second, these 3 men were probably chosen because of their intimacy with Jesus. They were with Him the most and understood Him the best, and they frequently accompanied Him when He went away for times of intense fellowship with His Heavenly Father (Mark 5:37; 14:33)

Third, as the acknowledged spokesmen among the 12 disciples, the ones whose word was most respected, these 3 men could most reliably and convincingly articulate what they witnessed on the mountain.

The fourth possible reason is negative. If all 12 disciples plus the crowds were to have seen Jesus transfigured, the entire region likely would have been in turmoil, with Jesus feeling more pressure to become the political and military deliverer the people expected the Messiah to be (see John 6:15; 12:12-19). That was a situation best avoided.

Ask Yourself:
We often focus merely on the facts of these accounts from Scripture, as well as in the ongoing, personal situations we face in life. Seeing that Jesus had specific purposes for doing what He did, what purposes of His could you see for some of your current circumstances?

From the desk of Pastor Ben
Promise of His Return Restated – Part 2

“Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
                                    (Matthew 16:28)

It was not uncommon for Old Testament prophesies to combine a prediction of a far distant event with a prediction of one in the near future, with the earlier one even prefiguring the latter. Such prophecies would thereby have near, soon-to-come fulfillment’s as well as distant ones. The fulfillment of the near prophecy served to verify the reliability of the distant one. It seems reasonable to assume that Jesus verified the reliability of His second coming prophecy by giving a glimpse of His second coming glory to some of the disciples before they would “taste death.”

In light of that interpretation — and because in all 3 Synoptic Gospel accounts, the promise of seeing His glory is given immediately preceding the account of the transfiguration (see Mark 9:1-8; Luke 9:27-36) and basileia can be translated “royal splendor” — it seems Jesus must have been referring specifically to His transfiguration before Peter, James, and John only six days later (see Matthew 17:1). Those three disciples were the “some” among the Twelve who would not die until, in a most miraculous preview, they would “see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

Ask Yourself:
Seeing the layers upon layers of meaning that make up His Word, what does this tell you about the knowledge and wisdom of God, as well as the vastness of His plan for us, for the world, and for time itself? Lose yourself in wonderment at your Lord’s love and compassion!

From the desk of Pastor Ben
Promise of His Return Restated – Part 1

“Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
                                    (Matthew 16:28)

In light of Jesus’ growing opposition by the Jewish leaders and His predictions of impending death, it was surely with some skepticism that the disciples heard their Lord’s promise of one day returning in glory. Understanding the disciples’ confusion and weak faith, Jesus repeated the promise, adding that “some of those who are standing here . . .will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

“Taste death” was a common Jewish expression that referred to drinking the cup of death, or in other words, to dying. Jesus assured the disciples that some of them would see Him “coming in His kingdom” before they died.

To understand correctly what Jesus meant, it is first of all helpful to know that the Greek word basileia (kingdom) was often used as a term to mean “royal majesty” or “regal splendor” — in much the same way that scepter has been used figuratively to represent royal power and authority. Used in that way, basileia would refer to a manifestation of Jesus being king rather than a literal earthly reign. His promise could therefore be translated, “until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingly splendor.” That’ exactly what Peter, James, and John saw six days later at His transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8).

Ask Yourself:
What do you do with selected statements of Scripture that seem obviously contradictory to each other or to your own experience? In light of this one, which seems on its face to be untrue, what do you gain by beginning with confidence in the truthfulness of His Word?

From the desk of Pastor Ben
Warning About His Return – Part 3

“He will then repay every man according to his deeds.”     (Matthew 16:27b)

For unbelievers this truth is a dire warning, because at Christ’s judgment they will have no acceptable deeds to present to the Lord as evidence of salvation. Many professing Christians will say on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles. And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matthew 7:22-23).

For unbelievers, this will be a day of unending fear as they finally realize the good works they relied on to make them right with God were nothing more than filthy garments (Isaiah 64:6) that leave them totally unfit to stand before the righteous King and Judge. At Jesus’ second coming, Paul warns, He will hand out “retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thessalonians 1:8).

There will be a day of reckoning for all people. For the cross-bearing, obedient Christian it will be a day of great rejoicing and glory, because he will have evidence that the life of God is within him by faith in Jesus Christ. But for the unrepentant, Christ-rejecting sinner, it will be a day of great terror and torment, because they will have no evidence of the life of God that the believer has.

Ask Yourself:
When you think of those whose carefully built defenses will be exposed before God’s holy fire at judgment, how seriously does this make you want to take your responsibility for personal evangelism? What keeps you from being more deliberate in sharing what you know?

From the desk of Pastor Ben
Warning About His Return – Part 2

“He will then repay every man according to his deeds.”     (Matthew 16:27b)

Among the last words of Scripture is Jesus’ declaration, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12).

Unbelievers are unable to produce genuinely righteous works because they don’t have the indwelling Holy Spirit to produce them nor a godly new nature through which the holiness of the Spirit can be expressed. Conversely, believers are characterized by righteous works because they have God’s life and Spirit within them as the source and power for those works. A person who has no evidence of righteous behavior in his life has no basis for assurance of salvation, no matter how long and vocally he may have professed being a Christian.

Yet, the honest believer knows that no matter how faithfully he studies and obeys God’s Word and has fellowship with Him in prayer, he still falls short of the Lord’s perfect righteousness. But he also knows, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”
(1 John 1:9). When a believer has given his life to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit produces in him works that are worthy of God’s reward. For the believer, therefore, the truth that the Lord “will then repay every man according to his deeds” is a wonderful promise.

Ask Yourself:
If anything assures us that grace is much more than a one-time event, it is our daily experience of realizing how much we need Him to do anything that is lasting, truly meaningful, and worthwhile. How have you learned again how dependent you are on His grace?

From the desk of Pastor Ben
Warning About His Return – Part 1

“He will then repay every man according to his deeds.” (Matthew 16:27b)

At His glorious coming, Jesus also “will then repay every man according to his deeds.” The believer looks forward to the second coming in the hope of sharing the Lord’s glory, but the non-believer can look forward to it only in fear of being condemned under the Lord’s judgment.

In speaking here of repaying “every man according to his deeds,” Jesus was pointing out that it will be a time of glory and reward for those who belong to Him and a time of judgment and punishment for those who do not. On that day, every man will be judged on the basis of his deeds. It is not that deeds are the means of salvation, which is by grace through faith alone. But a person’s outward deeds are the surest evidence of his inward spiritual condition. Jesus said that people are best known by their fruits (Matthew 7:16). James declared that faith, if it has no works, is dead” (James 2:17).

The Lord’s return is bittersweet for believers who are sensitive and loving. Like John as  he tasted the little book he took from the angel’s hand (Revelation 10:10), they think of the second coming as “sweet as honey” regarding their own destiny but “bitter” regarding the destiny of the many lost souls who reject Christ. His coming ultimately will resolve the destiny of every person (John 5:25-29).

Ask Yourself:
How motivated are you by the reward of being honored at judgment for the ways you’ve let God’s righteousness, love, and mercy flow through you — the many evidences of fruit borne in you by His Holy Spirit? Forsake all that would cost you His greatest blessings.