No One But Jesus!

The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

Matt 17: 10

The immediate aftermath of the story of the Transfiguration has much to teach us. The disciples feel down before the transformed Jesus at the Transfiguration and when they looked up “they saw no one but Jesus.” (Matt 17:8) What a mountaintop experience that was. They were deeply, totally immersed in worship.

They started back down the hill and almost immediately they become sidetracked. “By the way Jesus”, you can almost hear one of them say, “I have always wondered about the Malachi 4 passage. Does it really mean what the teachers of the Law say: that Elijah must appear before the Messiah came?” The moment of worship has passed and was replaced by questions about the Bible.

I know. The Bible and theology are important. Intellectually stimulating discussions about the Bible excites many of us. I am so convinced of that that I spend my life studying and teaching the Bible. But there are times when getting another answer from the Book, or asking another question detracts from a person’s spiritual life.

Just like asking that question about Elijah must have drawn some of the wonder from the memory of their worship, and diluted some of their awe of Jesus. So ultimately what is vital is not having all the answers, but worshipping Christ. Not knowing more, but knowing Him. Not study, but kneeling in awe before the One we meet as we eat this Book!

As you read through the New Testament these 30 days, don’t let the questions that come to your mind keep you from the awe and wonder of knowing the Lord of this Book!