“When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.” Matthew 17:8 

In this one verse, we find the secret to all of life. If we can fight to "look up" beyond the circumstances, stresses, distractions, and obstacles in our lives, and see only Jesus, we are focusing ourselves on the One who IS the Way, the Truth, and the Life. 

In one of the most incredible passages of the Bible, Peter, James, and John have the awe-inspiring privilege of seeing Jesus in all of His cosmic, eternal glory.  There He is, standing between Moses (the one through whom God gave the Law/way) and Elijah (the one through whom God spoke, revealing the Truth) in unfiltered glory, and these disciples live to tell about it. 

In this one momentous picture, we can see the revealed Truth that Jesus is the fulfillment of the standards of God’s law which we could never live up to, and He is the fulfillment of the promises of the Prophets. He is the One through whom life, righteousness, peace, joy, hope, power, love and truth all come from and converge in. 

Upon hearing the creation-shaking voice of God, as he affirms the authority of His son Jesus, in “whom He is well pleased,” the disciples fall on their faces, only to feel the steady, loving hand of Jesus touch them as He says, “do not be afraid.” 

When they looked up, they saw only Jesus.

And as long as they saw only Jesus, they saw all they would ever need for life, peace, and godliness. All hope, all truth, all mercy, all power, all provision, all meaning, all purpose, all glory, and all joy are found in this One, singular vision: JESUS

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1

May you this week, fight to see only Jesus, allowing Him to fulfill what you never could, to reveal what you cannot see, and to bring life where there is no life. 

Sincerely,

Brent