A Taste of Eternity

What does life look like beyond the grave? Let’s examine our transformation now and its eternal result, by looking at the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-9.

Small Group of 3

Matthew 17:1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

A small attendance and a large miracle went hand-in-hand. False prophets often draw large crowds (Luke 6:26; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Matthew 7:13-14). Numbers alone prove nothing. Jesus rarely taught thousands, occasionally a hundred plus, most often a dozen or so and sometimes just three of His disciples.

Is quality time with a dozen and occasionally three key disciples a model for discipleship? Is it a pastor’s job to spend equal time with every single individual or intense time with a chosen few? Is it then up to those few to care for the rest of the flock?

Transformed

Matthew 17:2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

Here we read that Jesus was transfigured or transformed (μετεμορφώθη, metemorphōthē). This is the same word used in the letter to the Romans about us being “transformed” by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Are we being inwardly “transformed” into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18)?

As Peter, James and John saw the transfiguration a transformation was happening to them. Moses’ face shone like the sun after being close to God. Will our lives also shine? Is a life that is close to God a shining light in a dark world that will soon shine forever?

Moses and Elijah

Matthew 17:3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

Was this a vision of the future or present reality? Both Moses and Elijah had prophesied the coming of the Messiah during their lifetimes here on earth. But, weren’t these men dead and buried, still awaiting a future resurrection? Such questions assume that there is time in a timeless eternity.

Don’t our theological arguments about waiting for a future resurrection versus going to heaven after death fall silent when we realize that there is no time in eternity? Can we who live in a world restrained by time, really explain heaven, resurrection and eternal life in earthly terms? Perhaps not!

Peter’s Impetuosity

Matthew 17:4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

As Peter saw a vision of Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus, we see him acting impetuously, which was his personality. A tabernacle is a shelter, similar to what many Jews still make today in their backyards for the Feast of Tabernacles. They are quickly made from branches and leaves.

Was Peter asking, let me build some temporary shelters so you can stay awhile? Are we sometimes also impulsive with our opinions and suggestions? How often do we rush into decisions rashly and then later ask God to bless the decision that we have made without asking for divine guidance?

Keep on Listening to Him

Matthew 17:5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

We are not told what Moses and Elijah discussed with Jesus, but we are told what God said. A cloud had covered them and God spoke from the cloud. He said these important and familiar words, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

The present imperative active voice of the original Greek can be translated as: “you [plural] keep on listening to him.” What about preaching Jesus? To “keep on listening to him,” shouldn’t we be in a church where his words are rehearsed in our hearing and his words are the focus?

Jesus' Touch

Matthew 17:6-8 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

The Bible reveals that God’s voice frightens people. Peter, James and John were terrified and fell on the ground face down. Jesus set us the example of human touch. Sometimes all a person needs is a touch on the arm or a hug. It is a good thing to do.

Even modern science knows the importance of a caring touch. Babies and animals can die without a loving touch. In a cold-blooded world that separates families because of heartless, draconian laws and destroys people because of heavy-handed cruelty, a touch of human kindness is a particularly urgent need.

Tell No One

Matthew 17:9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Some things are better learned later in life. After this encounter on the mount of transfiguration, Jesus instructed Peter, James and John not to tell anyone until after his resurrection. Like children who are not ready for solid food some people should only be fed milk (1 Corinthians 3:2).

That’s why Jesus spoke in parables, to disguise the truth from those not yet ready to receive it (Matthew 13:10-14). That’s not an insult, but a matter of spiritual growth. It is given to some to know the mysteries of the kingdom, but to others it is not - yet.

Peter’s Testimony

Peter later wrote of his experience, that he was also a witness to Christ’s resurrection, and confirmed the Old Testament Scriptures (2 Peter 1:16-21). He taught that no scripture was “the prophet’s own interpretation” but rather, they “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Let’s look beyond our decaying, earthly existence to our metamorphosis into joyful, gloriously shining children of God. And let’s realize that that transformation has begun inside us and is taking place every day.

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Readings

1st Reader: Exodus 24:12-18

Thus ends the reading from Exodus. Moses ascended alone. Let us draw near to God alone in prayer.

2nd Reader: Psalm 99

Thus ends the reading from the Psalms. God alone is worthy of worship, He hears our prayers, and He is merciful.

3rd Reader: 2 Peter 1:16-21

The word of God for the people of God. Peter was eye-witness to the resurrection and believed the Scriptures. They were not “the prophet’s own interpretation” but rather, they “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Matthew 17:1-9 in Rhyme

Jesus took Peter, James and John
And led them up a mountain yon
There he was transformed before them
And His face shone just like the sun

And his clothes became as white as light
Moses and Elijah in sight
Peter said I’ll build some shelters
For you and each of the elders

As he spoke, a cloud covered them
And a voice said, “This is my Son
I’m well pleased with Him my loved One
So keep on listening to Him!”

Then they fell face down, terrified
But Jesus touched them and replied
“Get up,” He said. “Don’t be afraid.”
And Jesus stood alone unswayed

While coming down the mountain
Jesus gave them this instruction
“The news of these things, do not spread
Until the Son’s raised from the dead.”

Jesus and the Law, Part 2

Imagine a commentary on the Old Testament by Jesus Christ. It would be the best, and we have one in the Sermon on the Mount. Let’s begin to understand the intent of the law by its author. Let’s look at murder, adultery and bearing false witness in Matthew 5:21-37.

Murder

Matthew 5:21-26 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”

Jesus angrily turned over the money-changers’ tables (Matthew 21:12-13), and was angry with the Pharisees’ hard hearts (Mark 3:1-5) without sin (Ephesians 4:26-27). Unrighteous anger (Proverbs 15:18) is discerned by what comes out of our mouths, hate words, verbal abuse. The opposite is valuing human life.

Obeying just the letter of the law misses its purpose, love. Jesus encouraged us to reconcile with enemies if possible, or at least find some kind of agreement quickly, lest the whole matter go to an unjust court and we lose everything. The opposite of murder is reconcile or settle.

Adultery

Matthew 5:27-32 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”

31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

The letter of a law leaves loopholes as long as the specific forbidden act is not done. Jesus addressed the principle. As anger can lead to murder, lust can lead to adultery. Exaggerating to make the point, Jesus suggested self-mutilation, a sin. He meant: take drastic steps to avoid adultery.

Is all divorce a sin? Jesus’ exception is “porneia.” Louw-Nida defines that as sexual immorality of any kind. The Friberg Lexicon defines it as every kind of extramarital, unlawful, or unnatural sexual intercourse. Jesus is stricter than we are, but the general principle is: easy divorce is not God’s way.

Bearing False Witness

Matthew 5:33-37 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”

Rather than make rash promises that we may not be able to keep, God inspired James, “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.’" (James 4:15) Foolish and superstitious oaths don’t guarantee truth. Simply answer yes or no.

Ever felt like you are never good enough? Let’s face it! We’ve all been verbally abusive, lustful and broken promises. But it doesn’t end there. Take it to God. It’s over, forgiven! Don’t live in the failures of the past, but in the forgiven life of the people of Christ.
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Readings

1) Deuteronomy 30:15-20

15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

And that’s God’s Word for today from Deuteronomy...

Do we love God or not? Do we make excuses why we will not hear Him? Today God has given us the choice between life and death, blessings and curses. Heaven and earth witness our choice. Oh, that we would choose life, so that we and our descendants might live!

2) Psalm 119:1-8

1 “Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—3 they do no wrong but follow his ways. 4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. 5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! 6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. 8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.”

And that’s the Aleph section, the 1st of 22 parts to Psalm 119...

Whole-hearted servants of God diligently keep themselves pure. They love God’s teachings, remember His testimonies, seek Him wholeheartedly. They have no interest in worldly iniquity. God’s way is their meditation, and they desire it above everything. In deep humility know how imperfect we are and strive to live God’s way.

3) 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

1 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?

5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

The Word of God for the people of God…

The Corinthians were immature Christians who gloried in factions. The apostle reminds them that all ministers contribute to God’s work not their own and not to party factions. We are all workers along with God, who is pleased to associate us with Himself in the great work of His kingdom.

Matthew 5:21-37 in Rhyme

You’ve heard it said, You shall not kill
But I tell you don’t bear ill will
Angry, shouting verbal abuse
Using insults there’s no excuse

If while giving your offering
Mindful your brother has something
Against you, leave your gift and go
First be reconciled with your foe
Best settled quickly out of court
Than thrown in jail for a fake tort

So, Don’t commit adultery
And I say don’t look lustfully
If your right eye looks, gouge it out
If your right hand rubs do without
Better a body part expel
Than your whole body go to hell

Give the wife a divorce decree
Except for immorality
She’s victim of adultery
And don’t marry a divorcee

You’ve heard it said, Don’t break your oath
But to the Lord fulfill your troth
But I tell you, don’t swear at all
By heaven, or earth, His footstool

Or by Jerusalem city
Or by your head black or snowy
All you need is say, ‘Yes’ or ‘No’
All else is evil don’t you know

Jesus and the Law

Jesus condemned whoever sets aside the least of God’s commands. What does that mean? Let’s learn what our relationship to the law is. Let’s examine salt, light and the law in Matthew 5:13-20.

You ARE Salt

Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

How can salt lose its flavor? Good Bible study involves historical research, in order to make informed conclusions. We must be open to ancient definitions of things. Their definition of “salt” was most probably a mixture of gypsum and what we call salt today. This mingling could lose its “saltiness.”

You ARE Light

Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Jesus said, his disciples are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This was encouragement to be what they already were. We too are the salt that gives the world a good taste and the light that brightens this dark planet. Salt preserves. Let’s be ourselves.

Lamps Give Light

Matthew 5:15 “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”

Some Christians hide their faith. Being a closet Christian contradicts what Jesus taught. A city on a hill cannot be hid. A light is meant to be seen, not hidden away in secret. What must be seen? Our good deeds must shine, not to boast, but so that others may glorify God.

Good Works

Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Jesus encouraged his disciples to do good deeds. We don’t do good works in order to be saved, but because we are saved. “Do-nothing” Christianity is incomplete and weak. Faith without works is dead. One of the most effective forms of letting our light shine is by our good deeds.

Law not Abolished

Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

The law of Moses (the Torah) is the first 5 books of the Old Testament. The rest of the Old Testament is often called the writings. Jesus endorsed the entire Old Testament for Christians. Jesus did not do away with the Old Testament but fulfilled it. How? Let’s keep reading.

Letter or Spirit?

Matthew 5:18 “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”

Has the Old Testament been handed down to us faithfully? Jesus claims that no part of it is missing, not the smallest letter. Jesus endorses of every part of the Old Testament, even those parts that moderns don’t like. The Bible is the most historically accurate document in all history.

613 Commandments

Matthew 5:19 “Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

In an age when some pick and choose which parts of the Bible they agree with or not, Jesus endorses the entire Old Testament, all its 613 commandments. After this Jesus began to teach how Christians obey the law better than the Pharisees did, in the spirit of the law.

A Better Righteousness

Matthew 5:20 “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Deuteronomy expounds the Ten Commandments (#1 6-11; #2 12; #3 13:1-14:21; #4 14:22-16:17; #5 16:18-18:22; #6 19-21; #7 22:1-23:14; #8 23:15-24:7; #9 24:8-16; #10 24:17-26:15).[1] However, the letter of the law kills (2 Corinthians 3:6) and there is a righteousness by faith that is superior to the righteousness of the law.

[1] Hill, Andrew E. & Walton, John H. “A Survey of the Old Testament.” Zondervan Publishing House. 1991. 58.

The only option left is keeping the law in spirit. For example, circumcision is not of the flesh but the heart (Romans 2:29); there remains a Sabbath rest in Jesus for eternity (Matthew 11:28; Hebrews 4) and love fulfills the whole law (Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14).

The letter of the law is not righteous enough. It’s the way to cultish legalism. We fulfill the law via Jesus’ law of love. The law can teach us, but it is only a shadow of things to come. The cross is the reality. Love in action fulfills the law, all of it.

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Readings

Isaiah 58:1-12

1 “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins. 2 For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. 3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. 4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. 5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? 6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness a will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, 10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. 11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. 12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

And that was God’s word through Isaiah.

True religion is more than outward rites. It includes a change of heart, evidenced by good works.

Psalm 112

1 Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. 2 Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. 4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. 5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.

6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. 7 They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. 8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. 9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor. 10 The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

Thus ends the reading from Psalm 112.

This psalm praises God for blessings in this life, for spiritual wealth, consolation and a blessed life.

1 Corinthians 2:1-12

1 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him — 10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us

The word of God for the people of God.

Spiritual wisdom is higher than worldly wisdom. The gospel is both milk for babes and meat for adults. Are we ready for the meat yet?

Matthew 5:13-20 in Rhyme

You all are the salt of the earth
But if the salt has lost its worth
Can you make it salty again?
No, it will just be ditched by men

You all are light the world to fill
You can’t hide a town on a hill
Nor hide lamps under basket domes
Lamps are meant to light up our homes

Let good deeds shine for all to see
They’ll praise your Father heavenly
The law or prophets, I’ll not kill
No, I came the law to fulfill

Till heaven and earth pass away
The law’s smallest details will stay
So don’t annul the least command
Teaching the same to those at hand

You’ll be the least in the Kingdom
So obey God’s laws and teach them
You’ll be great in the Kingdom

Unless your righteousness exceeds
That of the scribes and Pharisees
You’ll never be there guaranteed!