Today’s Reading, Matthew 17-19
Focal Scripture: Matthew 17:7 “Jesus came up, touched them, and said, “Get up; don’t be afraid.”
I am not sure about you but I have moments when I get overwhelmed. I will try to hold it together until I am alone or around people I trust but every now and then it gets me unexpectedly. For instance I have a difficult time around large groups of people. It’s not that I don’t like the experiences certain events provide. Large crowds stress me out but I know I have to deal with them to be productive but also to minister to those in need. What gets me through is knowing that I will have time to recover after an event.
In today’s reading Jesus shows his true glory to three of his disciples. They get to see Jesus unveiled. They hear God speak about the second part of the trinity. These three disciples even get to see two prophets interact with Christ. As is expected they became overwhelmed. What did Jesus do? He touched them and calmed them down. His touch had power. His touch meet a need.
I am not sure what you’re going through right now but I want you to know this truth. Jesus wants to meet your need. Jesus wants to touch your heart and give you relief from your burdens. Even if you are overwhelmed right now, have confidence that one touch from Jesus can change your heart and life in a transformative way. Yes, just like when he touched the disciples here and calmed them down he is willing to do the same for you.
What we must do to overcome our experiences is admit to the Lord when we get overwhelmed. We must admit that we are in over our heads. We need to ask for the Lord to touch our hearts and give us a calm spirit. Just like the disciples were overwhelmed by seeing the glory of Christ. We can also be overwhelmed and take our focus off of the person who gives us hope.
The point of today is to encourage you to talk to Jesus. Ask him to give you a touch of his presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to use your experiences to make you more like Christ. Jesus wants to meet our needs. He also wants to let us experience him in a way that is life transforming. However, to do that we must be willing to be challenged spiritually.
My hope for you today is to know Jesus. Know him so well that when he touches it calms you down. Know the lord and the power of his resurrection.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Matthew 20-21
