“He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him. When the disciples hear this, they fell on tier faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them saying, Rise, and have no fear. And when they lift- ed up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only” Matthew 17:5-8

As we observe the Transfiguration of our Lord on February 19th, it is always a moment to remember the words, “they saw no one but Jesus only”. For what met the eye of Peter was a grand picture of Moses, Elijah and Jesus who was speaking about His exodus to the Cross. Of course, his eyes were enamored by this great event and thus he said, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, and one for Moses and one for Elijah” (v.4). Why wouldn’t anyone want to leave this mountain top experience? After all, the great prophets of the Old Testament along with Jesus the true prophet, priest and king was in their midst.

Suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him”. Busy they were, yet the Lord brought them to a screeching halt. “Listen” the Lord said, as He directed them to the Christ who would die and rise for the sins of the world.

How radical this must have been for the disciples, to see something that was beyond their own human reason and strength. For what met their eye, by the grace of God, was Jesus-only Jesus. And though the disciples would see extraordinary circumstances in their life of ministry, their faith would rest on the Word: “they saw no one but Jesus only”.

Friends, as we draw near to the season of Lent, it is a time to repent and examine our hearts and minds. Yes, we see our sin for what it truly is as the law shows us the truth to what has befallen us ever since Genesis 3. And though the devil will accuse, harass and attempt to destroy us by the anchor of guilt, shame and despair, we rest upon what the disciples had seen: “they saw no one but Jesus only”.

As a pastor, this is how we care for souls. We are not here to be a personality, or to give you something your itching ears want to hear. We are not shopkeepers. No, we are here to give you “Only Jesus”. Because at the end of day, as we are busily making suggestions [like Peter], it is our Lord who by His Word imparts to you the words you need to hear: “they saw no one but Jesus only”.

Have a blessed February!

✝️ Pastor Jeong

The full newsletter can be found here:
https://www.faithmoorpark.com/files/pdf/2023/2023-02-Newsletter.pdf