Just what is needed….
Just what is needed……
Mat 17:1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;
The Bible tells us that Jesus took Peter, James and John away from the other disciples on three occasions that we are aware of.
The first time, He took the three of them to the house of Jairus, whose 12-year-old daughter had died. There in that little girl’s room, Peter, James and John saw Jesus tell the little girl to rise up. She sat up miraculously back from the dead much to the absolute joy of her father Jairus.
The second time occurred when Jesus took the three into the Garden of Gethsemane and asked them to pray for Him for just one hour. Remember, they all fell asleep as Jesus prayed so intensely there that He sweat droplets of blood.
The third time is our opening text. Jesus had the three of them on the mountain where they saw Him glorified and Moses and Elijah also appeared speaking to Jesus of His soon death and resurrection.
Why did Jesus do these things with these three?
Could it be because these three apostles were going to each have very unique encounters with death?
Peter, He was told by Jesus about how he was going to die in John’s Gospel 21:8 But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Peter would later be crucified upside down until his death.
James, he was the first disciple to lose his life for his faith. He was put to death with the sword by Herod.
John, he was the last of the disciples to die. He was firstly banished to the island of Patmos. It was there that he received the Book of Revelation.
God prepared each of these three, Peter, James and John for what they each would face. God will and does the same for every one of us. He will prepare you through the messages on Sunday, the mid week Bible studies, your own devotions, for what lies ahead for you personally.
It is truly amazing how what I am studying in His Word will some how be exactly what I needed in a situation or for ministering to someone in a trial. It was the exact required medicine!
I pray that this weekend you will remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s voice and then see God’s faithfulness in how He has lovingly prepared you for what lies ahead. Remember He is always with you!