ESOCS Devotional 8 June 2024 – Only Jesus
MEMORY VERSE: “And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.” Mark 9:8
TEXT: MARK 9:2-13
Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— 6 because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.
7 And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” 8 Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
9 Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant.
11 And they asked Him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
12 Then He answered and told them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him.”
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The disciples of Jesus Christ were with Him on the Mountain of Transfiguration. There they saw Him in a transfigured form discussing with Moses (ssymbolising the law) and Elijah (symbolising the Prophets).
Peter, one of the disciples with Him, made a critical statement, although the scriptures recorded that he did not know what he said. It is possible the heavens interpreted the three tabernacles as mentioned by him to mean following and worshipping after the pattern of Moses, Elijah and Jesus. If it is so, then, the heavens responded with a capital NO! A voice came from heaven to clarify their minds that it is ONLY JESUS that should be heard now. It is ONLY JESUS that should be followed now. And it is only in the order of Jesus, as the patterned Son and High Priest for us, that worship should be aligned or ordered now. ONLY JESUS AND ONLY IN HIM. Not in Moses or Elijah or any other prophet or religious leader living or dead. Yes, they were used greatly by God but it is not about them; it is all about Jesus Christ. All of them came to testify, bear witness and point to JESUS as the Christ; the ONE through whom the world will be saved. All things pointed to Him and all things still point to Him now and forever.
Lord Jesus Christ Himself said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me”(John 5:39).
In other words, Moses and Elijah and all other prophets wrote and talked about Jesus. Therefore, next time you are reading them or about them look for Jesus; they testify about Him.
The Bible text reveals further that when the cloud lifted, the disciples saw only Jesus. Beloved, it is ONLY JESUS now! His work on the Cross for our redemption, His death, burial and resurrection to give us Eternal Life all testify about Him. It is ONLY JESUS – look for Him and nothing more! For in Him God demonstrates His love for us and revealed Himself too. And to enjoy that love, we have to take instructions only from ONLY JESUS and no one else!
- In your walk with God, are you depending on fulfilling the law which Jesus Christ has fulfilled already or are you enjoying the finished work of Christ Jesus by faith?
- Father, help me by the Holy Spirit to depend only on JESUS in my walk with you, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.
Further Reading: Exodus 19:15-end; 2 Kings 19:20-end; Romans 8:18-30
ESOCS Devotional 8 June 2024
