Where is Your Eternal Home?

 N.T.#551 "Where is Your Eternal Home?"

May 16, 2025 

Luke 9-Part 8

LET IT GLOW

As a review, we conclude that following Jesus means more than believing Him; it includes obeying Him. Living obediently means more than accepting truth; it includes commitment. While salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, the requirements of discipleship is described by Jesus as to denying oneself, lose your life, and following Jesus unashamedly. (verse 23-26) (Swindoll)

How are you doing in these areas?

Have you ever been on the top of a very tall mountain and looked around? It is amazing. Our three guys were about to experience an amazing time with the Lord Jesus while there. Jesus took only Peter, James, and John with Him to the top of Mt. Hermon. It has an elevation of over 10,000 feet. There Jesus retreated to pray. Remember that in 6 months Jesus would also deny Himself, take up His cross and follow God through the death and resurrection process. What He asked of His apostles/disciples, Jesus asks of us, and He applied the concept personally. 

Mark 9 and Matthew 17 better describe the trio's extraordinary mountaintop experience.:

• Jesus was transfigured before the three. His countenance changed before the three. (The guys had fallen asleep to awaken to 
• Jesus' face shined as the sun and His raiment was white as the light. (Matt. 17:2)
• His raiment became shining exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. (Mark 9:3) Clothing doesn't whiten themselves. This showed Jesus' holiness and purity. 
• Then Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Jesus. What a sight to wake up to!
• Afterwards, Peter stuck his foot in his mouth again-let us make 3 tabernacles (one for Moses a, one for Elijah, and one for Jesus). Bless his heart, Peter didn't know what he was saying.
• According to verse 37, the 4 spent a whole day on the mountain. 

LET IT GROW

Why not two other patriarchs? Why was Mosses and Elijah conversing with Jesus? They represented the Law and the Prophets in the Old Testament. Jesus came to fulfill the Law by being The Perfect Sacrificial Lamb who takes away our sins through His shedding of blood. (Moses had died more than 1,400 years earlier. God secretly buried the body of Moses. (Deut. 34:5-6) He was buried in the valley in the land of Moab somewhere; no man knows the location.

Elijah, a prophet of God, had gone directly into heaven. (2 Kings 2) He escaped death in a chariot of fire with horses of fire and in a whirlwind. Elijah departed some 900 years earlier. The prophets told of the future events. Jesus was the One which the prophets told was coming. 

Jesus would have to journey to Jerusalem and suffer for the sake of His kingdom. (Isaiah 52:13-53:12) (Swindoll)

Then Moses and Elijah ascended back into heaven in a cloud. It had been a cloud which led the children of Israel in the wilderness. 

They heard the voice of God a second time in the Gospel, This is My Beloved Son; hear Him. (verse 35)

Jesus is the chosen One, the Prophets' Promised One, Emannuel, the Long-awaited Messiah. The Heavenly Father brought reassurance to the son that His plan of salvation was the path of suffering. The close encounter by the disciples would bring them encouragement in days to come.

Friend, heaven and hell are real places. Our soul never dies. Which one is your future eternal home?

As a Christian, sometimes we need to get away, retreat and renew our spirit so we can serve in the world again, 

LET IT GO

Thank You Jesus for being The Way, The Truth, The Life for us.

Oh, what a Savior! Isn't He wonderful!

Thank You for grace and mercy, faith to come to believe in You as our Savior!

How wonderful heaven must be!