“Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them” (Matt. 17:1-2, NKJV).
Holy Spirit slips this story into Matthew’s narrative so seamlessly that we might miss its vital importance if we don’t pay close attention. Why is this event included? God is giving us a trailer about what is about to take place: the complete establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. A few verses after Matthew concludes the telling of such a magnificent moment, Jesus announces His death and resurrection. The Kingdom is about to fully come.
With the transfiguration, He is about to give His three closest friends a glimpse of the coming glory. For this reason, Jesus prefaces the big occasion with these words: “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (Matt. 16:28, NKJV). This moment on the mountain beholding His brilliance is to show them what the Kingdom looks like. (Sometimes showing is so much more effective than telling!)
There’s a detail here that Holy Spirit wants to draw our attention to. Not only Elijah, but Moses appears with Jesus in the glory cloud. Why is this significant? Because prior to this moment, Moses had been kept out of the Promised Land entirely. His anger problem had disqualified him from entering into that which he had waited all of his life. I can’t even imagine how much it had to hurt to lead God’s people through the desert for forty years, up the very border, gaze at it from afar, and not be allowed to enter.
But now, here he is, on the Mount of Transfiguration. Inside the Promised Land. Qualified. Included. Restored. Put on display by the Father as a demonstration of what the Kingdom looks like. Hanging out with Jesus in all of His glory and splendor. This, my friend, is the Kingdom. You and me, brought into all of the fullness of God’s presence and promises, in spite of our terrible failings.
Romans explains this beautifully: “For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering” (Rom. 8:3, NIV). Welcome to the Kingdom. God is doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
Is there an area of weakness that has gotten the best of you for years? Holy Spirit wants to encourage your heart with this truth. If He was able to transform Moses enough to bring him into the Promised Land after all, He can surely transform you and me.
Let your faith arise as Holy Spirit pours this revelation into your heart. What you are powerless to do in keeping the rules (law), Jesus accomplished for you at the cross. He did it. It’s yours. His victory is available for you, today. Receive His supernatural impartation of power to overcome, even now!
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What is waiting for you in your personal Promised Land? Is God’s power big enough to get you there?
Feeding On Jesus 
Jenn!!!!!!!!!!!!! What an sight Holy Spirit has given you! In all the many times I have been blessed to teach about Moses and/or the Transfiguration, this truth never once occurred to me. What an amazing testimony to God’s faithfulness of Him doing for us what we could never do for ourselves.
You are a blessing to so many Jenn. Thank you.
Chuck
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Chuckling happily. My reply is slow after a super full week and some computer troubles, but what a treat it is to find this comment now that I am back to it. Thank you so very much, my dear brother! 🙂
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Moses in the Promised Land….mind blown. This should bring hope to all who feel like they they have screwed up one time too many. God is so merciful & loving. If our hearts are entwined with His, our “dreams” will come true. What a gift!
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Aw, Barb, I am delighted that this was a blessing to you! (My reply is slow after a super full week and some computer troubles). But YES! His grace truly is mind-blowing!
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Well this certainly sent me reaching for my Bible. Which is always a good thing!
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Hehe absolutely! 😀 😀 Many blessings to you!
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Oh wow. I had to just take my bible to read it because I was just mind blown.
Thank you for sharing this inspired word.
Blessings Jen 💙
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Smiling joyfully. You are so very welcome, Manu! (My reply is slow after a super full week and some computer troubles, hope yours has been so blessed!)
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Wow, thanks for sharing !
We were at the church of the Transfiguration, in Israel. Other than the main altar, there are two other altars there, one for Elijah, and one for Moses.
Great insight you shared. Moses did make it into the Promised Land. 🤗⚘
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That must have been an amazing experience. And you are welcome, my sister! ❤
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Two words, restoration and transformation. Leaning on God, and not on ourselves to get there. Word!!!
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Amen and amen to those two words! Thank you Somto!
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You are blessed with such wonderful insights…thank you for sharing with us. You pull together so many biblical truths; it is a gift. I will save this post and come back to it. As scripture has told us, we are transformed in Christ. In Him, we are made new. There is nothing that God cannot do. We must focus our lives on these teachings, remembering each day to start anew and begin again.
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Aw thank you so much, Linda! I receive that encouragement gratefully. Amen and amen, may the Lord empower us to focus more and more on the beautiful truth He has for us that sets us free! (My reply is slow after a super full week and some computer troubles). His grace and peace to you today and always!
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Jennifer! We’re you reading my mind??? I had this very conversation with God about Moses just Friday! How encouraging! Of course I’ve NEVER put two and two together that he DID make it there!! In the best of ways, too!
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Smiling. Hehe nope but Holy Spirit was reading it! 😀 😀 I love it!!
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I often forget that what I achieve in my short lifetime on earth is but a fragment compared to entering God’s kingdom. Keeping my eyes on what’s important will keep me aiming for the most fulfilling prize: relationship with Jesus.
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That spoke to me, thank you Hamish. Amen and amen!
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