Matthew 16:21 – 17:8 (NIV)
You just listened to the following song, here are the lyrics:
“Too many hypocrites,” I heard her say. “I even saw it in the headlines today.
How can I follow God when his own people turn away?
Nobody’s perfect but I just want to see somebody living what they say they believe.
If they’ve got all this world needs like they say,
I wonder why won’t they give some away?”
Can she see God for who he really is in what she sees in you and me?
Can she see God for who he really is?
For who he really is, is all she really needs to see.
He slips into church and he puts up his guard;
they look so happy, but his life’s been so hard.
He keeps his distance so they won’t see the scars.
It’s just religion that’s all dressed up in white.
And God is love as long as you’re living right.
But does he know that Jesus also has scars,
and his love can reach him no matter how far?
Can he see God for who he really is in what he sees in you and me?
Can he see God for who he really is?
For who he really is, is all he really needs to see.
The skeptics are watching to see who will fall,
while those disillusioned search for the truth in it all.
Maybe today we’ll cross their paths unaware,
and they’ll stop and look at us, what will be there?
Will they see God for who he really is in what they see in you and me?
Will they see God for who he really is?
For who he really is, is all they really need to see.
There are situations in life where there can be no doubt of what needs to be done, no doubt about who needs to take action, or why something is the way it is. For instance, my mother fought cancer for five years. In that time, she underwent major surgery four times. There were two of those surgeries where there was a good possibility that she might not survive. But my mother had one thing going for her. She had utter confidence in her surgeon. She knew that he had successfully operated on her before. She knew that he was a skilled surgeon. But more than that, she knew that he was a Christian. He attended another Baptist church in town – my parents were Baptists – and he had told her that he prayed for his patients. So when my mother went into those operations, she had no doubt that her surgeon would do his best, with God’s help, and she believed that she would come through them. And she did.
When Jesus set out for Jerusalem for the last time, he needed to know that his disciples understood clearly who he was and what he had come to do, and what they must do when he was gone. So he began to explain to them that he would suffer at the hands of the Jewish authorities and that he would be killed, but that on the third day he would be raised to life. This was very hard for the disciples to accept, or even believe. In fact, Peter tried to argue with Jesus and to reassure him that those things would never happen. But Jesus quickly rebuked Peter.
Jesus then went on to say that being a disciple would be costly. Those who followed Jesus must be willing to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow. Whoever wanted to save their life would lose it, but whoever might lose their life for Jesus would find it. These were hard things to understand. This was a commitment that was going to be difficult to make, even for the twelve who had been with Jesus for so long, had seen his miracles, had heard his words. And it is difficult for disciples today to accept and understand.
About six days after Jesus had this difficult conversation with his disciples, he took Peter, James, and John with him up a high mountain by themselves. And something amazing happened while they were there. Jesus was transfigured – he was transformed – right before their eyes. His face shone as bright as the sun, his clothes became white as light. And Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus. Moses was the great giver of the Law and Elijah was a great prophet. The link between Jesus and the history of Israel was demonstrated. Peter thought the experience was so wonderful that he wanted to just stay up there on that mountain forever! And who could blame him? Down below Jesus was talking about death and suffering, but up on the mountain there was wonder and life.
Just then, a bright cloud came over them, and a voice from heaven spoke: “This is my Son, whom I love; listen to him!” When the disciples heard the voice – they knew it must be the voice of God – and they fell face down on the ground to show respect and because they were scared out of their wits. Who wouldn’t be a little afraid to be in the direct presence of God? Jesus went over to them and said, “Don’t be afraid.” And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah and the cloud were gone.
Now I have sometimes wondered why this event took place. Why would God transform the appearance of Jesus and speak to the disciples from a cloud? What was the purpose of all of this? I think that this took place so that there could be no doubt about the identity and the authority of Jesus. Jesus was – Jesus is – the Son of God. Jesus is God on this earth. And God the Father instructed the disciples to listen to him. Even when the teachings of Jesus were hard, even when Jesus predicted suffering and death, they had to listen and believe. They had to accept the truth.
There are people in our world today who would love to have some kind of proof that Jesus is who he said he was. There are people who do have doubt about the identity and authority of Jesus. So where do they get the proof? Where is the evidence that might convince them beyond the shadow of a doubt that it is all true? We are the proof. We are the evidence. The way that people know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true is by looking at those who follow Jesus. Are we living proof that Jesus is real, and alive, and active in our world? When others look at us, do they see Jesus there?
One of the top reasons that people under the age of 40 don’t attend church is because they say that Christians are hypocritical. That is, we don’t live what we say we believe. We don’t practice what we preach. At least that is the perception of young adults. And they stay away from the church in droves. How can we convince them otherwise? By loving our neighbors, and our enemies. By showing compassion for the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the vulnerable. By working for the cause of justice in our communities and in our country. By practicing radical hospitality and inclusiveness, welcoming any who come through our doors. By trying to make our world a better place. By helping the homeless find places to reside. By visiting those who are sick. It’s not rocket science. It’s the easiest – and the hardest – thing in the world.
If people looking at us don’t see integrity, alignment between our words and our actions, they are not going to be attracted to Christianity or to Christ. We need to practice what we preach every day, in every circumstance of life. When we go to the store and the price of eggs has gone up again, we don’t yell at the cashier or stock boy. When someone cuts us off in traffic, we don’t give them the finger. When someone asks for help, we don’t dismiss them as freeloaders. When there is food insecurity in our town, we help stock the food pantry. When we are put in a position of compromising our integrity in the workplace, we refuse to give in to pressure. When our relationship with a spouse or partner gets tough, we don’t just walk away, but we try to resolve our issues. There are so many ways and so many situations in which we reveal our character. And to be faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ requires deep commitment.
I’ll ask you the question that was asked by Steven Curtis Chapman. Can others see God for who he really is when they look at you and me? Because in many cases, you’re the only Jesus some will ever see. And when they look at your life, let there be no doubt who you follow.
The Imperials recorded a great song back in the 1970s or 80s that you’ll listen to in a few minutes. It’s called, “You’re the Only Jesus.” Here are the lyrics
If not in you, I wonder where will they ever see the One who really cares?
If not from you, how will they find
there’s One who heals the broken heart and gives sight to the blind?
‘Cause you’re the only Jesus some will ever see,
and you’re the only words of life some will ever read.
So let them see in you the One in whom is all they’ll ever need,
‘cause you’re the only Jesus some will ever see.
And if not you, I wonder who will show them love and love alone can make things new?
If not from you, how will they learn
there’s One who trades their hopelessness for joy in return?
So let him shine, let him show.
Let them see him in you, you’ve got to let them know
‘cause you’re the only Jesus some will ever see,
And you’re the only words of life some will ever read.
So let them see in you the One in whom is all they’ll ever need,
‘cause you’re the only Jesus some will ever see.
