(Read Matthew 17:1-9)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. We have been studying the life of the Apostle Peter and our study has brought us to Matthew 17. The Bible says:
“Jesus took Peter, James, and John the brother of James and went up on a high mountain. They were all alone there. While these followers watched him, Jesus was changed. His face became bright like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. Then two men were there, talking with him. They were Moses and Elijah.
Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you want, I will put three tents here—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While Peter was talking, a bright cloud came over them. A voice came from the cloud and said, “This is my Son, the one I love. I am very pleased with him. Obey him!” The followers with Jesus heard this voice. They were very afraid, so they fell to the ground. But Jesus came to them and touched them. He said, “Stand up. Don’t be afraid.” The followers looked up, and they saw that Jesus was now alone.
As Jesus and the followers were coming down the mountain, he gave them this command: “Don’t tell anyone about what you saw on the mountain. Wait until the Son of Man has been raised from death. Then you can tell people about what you saw.”
Jesus invited His inner circle to experience a very special moment for Him. The 5,000 were not present. The 70 were not there. The 12 were not even invited, excepted for the three: Peter, James and John. Today I will not focus on what this event meant for Jesus. I won’t focus on the theological aspects of the event. My focus this morning is on Peter and how he responded to a supernatural manifestation right before his eyes. Unlike James and John, who both remained silent in the presence of the supernatural, Peter could not contain himself. He had to say something, even if what he said did not make much sense or add much value. Peter was just being himself.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- Jesus invited Peter to experience a special moment in his life and unlike James and John, who both sat in silence in the presence of the Lord, Peter felt like he ‘had’ to say something. But Jesus did not rebuke Peter. Jesus knew Peter was just being Peter. Like He did with Peter, God will use you, and your quirky ways, for His glory.
- God knows who you are. He knows your personality inside and out and He loves you just the way you are.
- The Holy Spirit will lead you to develop Godly character and to change ways that are not pleasing in His sight, but ultimately He will not force you to change who you are. God wants you to be you and He wants to use your personality for His glory.
- Peter was not the most eloquent, he often put his ‘foot in his mouth’, and his temper flared up from time to time, but God still used him. Likewise, God will use you. He will not wait until you are “perfect” to be used.
- Allow God’s glory to flow through your personality. God loves you and your personality, so you should as well.
- It’s okay to be yourself with God. He knows how you are and He loves you anyway :-).
- God will flow through you when you are being yourself.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. You made plans for me before the foundations of the world and You made those plans knowing how I was going to be. You know my personality and You love me just the way I am. There are some things You lead me to change, and those are more character issues than personality traits. You will work on my character, but You want me to keep my personality. My personality is what makes me unique. You love me and You want to use me, personality and all, for Your glory. So here I am Father. All that I am and all that I am not, is all Yours. Your glory will flow through me and my personality, today and every day. Thank You for allowing me to be myself. Actually, You want me to be myself, because Your power flows the best when I am being authentic. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
