Worship Him!

“Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, ‘Get up, and do not be afraid.’ And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.” Matthew 17:1-8

In an instant, Peter, James, and John saw their Friend and Teacher as they had never seen Him before. Just a moment earlier, Jesus stood beside them in the plain clothes of a humble workman. Then, suddenly, He shone forth in brilliant, dazzling light like the sun, and His clothing glowed like fire.

What was the disciples’ reaction? Immediate worship. “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, ‘This is My beloved Son...’ When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified” (verses 5-6). As God’s glory engulfed them, they were stricken with a sense of His absolute holiness and prostrated themselves before Him, the Almighty Lord of all.

At first, Peter was focused on human effort, what they could do in their own strength to show their love. But Jesus had a bigger plan. The moment that Peter saw Him “unveiled” as Sovereign God, his worship was transformed and centered on God alone.

How do you worship God? Do you recognize Him as the holy, all-powerful Lord of your life and submit to Him without reservation? You worship God properly when you see Him as He is.

“Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes...” -Walter Smith