What is Our Focus This Christmas?

N.T.#202 "What is Our Focus This Christmas?"

Dec. 14, 2023

Matthew 17-Part 5

LET IT GLOW

What a needy people we live among. They need Light in a world of darkness. They need the love of God in their hearts. They need joy found in freedom from burdens, addictions, and the stronghold of sin. We all need Jesus as our personal Savior. We come to Him by faith only. do you believe in Jesus, the Son of God? 

When God the Father interrupted Peter to give a verbal and visual validation of His one and only so, how did the disciples respond? They fell face down and were terrified. The took the holy and omnipotent God of heaven and earth seriously. Then Jesus came and reassured them, telling the three to not be afraid. Jesus isn't only one among many faithful servants of God, He is superior to them all. The ministries of Moses and Elijah ultimately pointed toward Christ. All Scripture has Him as its focus. (Luke 24:27) (Tony Evans)

On what is our focus? Is it on getting our Christmas shopping done, getting the decorations all up, finding time to bake and prepare for the big meal? Or is it Jesus Christ, the reason we celebrate? Are we spreading the Good News, the Light of the world, the message of the King of kings, to a sinful people?Is His great love and peace shared around us as the Prince of Peace lives in us? 

LET IT GROW

What did Jesus charge Peter, James, and John to do as the descended the mountain? Tell no one about the vision (something gazed at) until He was raised from the dead. boy, did they have a story to tell the rest of the guys! Why such an instruction? It would probably be confusing and cause them to forcibly make Jesus king. This was not His purpose. The disciples would soon be calling sinners to place their faith in the Risen King.

Another thought, the disciples didn't understand completely about Jesus' dying and resurrecting from the dead as of yet. They could have mixed up the events and such. 

Did you notice Jesus came down from the mountain with them. When we have a mountaintop experience, He comes down with us to the people in the valley below so they can go to the mountain of the Lord. He wants us to bring joy, peace, and love to them. 

LET IT GO

Thank You Jesus for giving Your life just for me.

Keep my focus on You, Jesus, this season.

Glory to God in the Highest!