1. JESUS: MOTHER & BROTHERS
Read Matthew 12:48-50
"Who is my mother and brothers? Pointing to His disciples He said: "Here are my brothers and mother. For whoever does the will of my Father in Heaven is my brother, sister and mother." Matthew 12:48-50 (NIV)
Some "cults" have twisted the words of Jesus, severing relationships with people and their families. But Jesus reminds us of the 5th Commandment: "to honour our father and mother". Caring for our family is very important, and Jesus shows us that our relationship with Him and His Father, is even closer. This INTIMACY WITH HIM is of a very PERSONAL LEVEL!
"These words of Jesus speak of PERMANENCE AND ACCEPTANCE - A RELATIONSHIP AT THE DEEPEST, possible level. Stay CLOSE TO HIM each day. He wants us to have the CLOSEST, INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM." Nicky Gumbel
We need "deep, strong, healthy roots" if we are to develop this relationship with Jesus. This includes PRAYER and committment to HIS WORD. Many things distract us from our time and intimacy with the Lord. Help us to "keep our eyes fixed on Him" to guard this relationship from the world.
2. REFLECT JESUS' GLORY & TRANSFIGURATION
Read Mark 9:1-13
Peter, James and John saw Jesus' glory when He was TRANSFIGURED. The disciples knew all about Elijah and Moses. God was saying to these 3 disciples that Jesus was "greater than these three men".
The word "transfigured" means " transformed". We too will see Jesus transformed when He comes again. After seeing the TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS, they were sure that Jesus was the" Messiah, the Son of God. This "special glimpse of GLORY" would have been very reassuring for them of would lay ahead.
Peter wanted to "prolong" this experience of being in GOD'S PRESENCE. He wanted to build an altar (shelter/tabernacle) but Jesus wanted his disciples to keep his place a secret, even though it was a glorious experience.
"Peter said to Jesus: "It is good that we were here. Let us make 3 tents - one for YOU, one for MOSES and one for ELIJAH......then a cloud came anc covered them, and then a voice came from the cloud, "This is MY SON, WHOM I LOVE, LISTEN TO HIM"...... As they wer coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead." Mark 9:5,7 & 9 (NCV)
"You must be HOLY, because I am HOLY.......For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from ancestors." 1 Peter 1:16&18a (NLT)
"Lord, help me today to spend time in your PRESENCE and REFLECT YOUR GLORY in everything you say and do." Nicky Gumbel
"THE HOLY BIBLE - New Living Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
"THE HOLY BIBLE - New Century Version", 2005, Thomas Nelson
GUMBEL, Nicky & Pippa, "Pursue Intimacy - Matthew 12: 46-50"; "Reflect Jesus Glory - Mark 9: 1-12", The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel, (2009/2026) Alpha International/New Version
"Jesuus, My Best Friend", 2025, Bastion of Truth for Kids/Jesus' Songs/You Tube
"The Transfiguration Story", 2025, Bible Melodies for Kids/You Tube
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