THE LEADING OF CHRIST
Being a disciple of Christ is very important to the Plan of God. Trying to navigate on your own (without God) can be a mistake.
When my wife and I travel we usually take our Garmen Navigation and sit it on the dash of our car. We try not to get lost, but it happens… and it’s usually my fault. Hey, it’s a guy thing.
I enjoy going places I have not been to before, but I don’t like to get lost. I have discovered it is much easier to go places with people that have been there before.
Note: In your daily life, being a Disciple/Follower of Christ you will never lose your way. JESUS has been there and LEADS US with every step. Regardless of the path you are on, in the desert, or a dark forest, JUST KEEP FOLLOWING JESUS.
TEXT: Matthew 17:1 - 4
Last Sunday - we looked at the miracle of Jesus with the blind man. It was extraordinary. The disciples were watching Jesus very carefully when Jesus prayed twice for the blind man. At first the blind man’s eyes were blurry and distorted, and then Jesus prayed a second time. Afterwards, the Bible tells us the blind man could see “clearly”.
Seeing Jesus “clearly” is important for each of us to do if we are going to understand what message Christ is giving to all of His disciples.
Today - Our scriptures are unique in that Christ chose 3 of the 12 disciples to follow Him “into an high mountain apart.” One can only wonder why Jesus chose only 3… but then I am still in awe why Jesus chose me to follow Him way back in 1968… and then (really) why did Jesus choose you when He did? “...into an high mountain, apart...”
This morning I want to tell you what you will learn if you choose to follow THE LEADING OF CHRIST:
1. JESUS IS YOUR FRIEND
the Disciples were there when Jesus said (in John 15), “Greater love has no man than this, that someone lay down His life for His friend.” It was the Cross of Calvary where Christ proved His friendship that He has with you and me. It wasn’t just that moment in time, but rather His friendship is eternal. Jesus recognizes you when you look into His eyes. You are not a stranger to Him, at all. He will never betray His friendship with you.
Jesus is much more than an acquaintance or someone you might know on FaceBook, text message, Tweeter, etc. Our culture has taught us to be too casual… and distant with being a friend.
2. JESUS IS YOUR LORD AND MASTER.
Following Jesus the disciples had seen the Authority of Christ many times. Our submitting to His Authority is our first act of obedience. Jesus rules everything in your life, in your world and in your heart. To kneel or bow in His presence is proof of your submission to Jesus your Lord and Master.
At the age of 12, Jesus made known His Authority (of being Lord) when He remained in Jerusalem after Joseph and Mary left Him in Jerusalem. When Joseph and Mary finally found Jesus He asked them, “Did you not know that I must be about MY Father’s business?” That may have sounded odd coming from a 12 year old boy.
The disciples saw up close when Jesus declared Himself as, “LORD of the Sabbath”.
And finally Jesus was approached by the Temple Guards in the Garden of Gethsamane on the night of His arrest. Jesus asked, “Whom are you seeking?” To this His accusers said, ‘JESUS of Nazareth’. With only 3 words Jesus responded with authority, “I am He.” His authority was so great that “they drew back and fell to the ground.”
3. THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS’ TEACHINGS
The disciples had heard many times the Authority of Jesus’ words while He was teaching. Luke 4:22 says that the people were amazed “at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth”
Many other times (Mark 1, Matthew 7, and Luke 4) the people “were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority…”
The Jews were amazed with Christ (John 7) and asked themselves, “How does this Man know letters , having never studied?”
Also in John 7, the Temple Guards were sent to arrest Jesus but could not do it. The Chief Priests and Pharisees asked the guards why they did not arrest Him. Their only response was, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”
4. HE ALONE CAN FORGIVE OUR SINS
The disciples knew that only one Man could ever forgive sins. Jesus. The first time Jesus forgave sins was for the paralyzed man who was lowered down from the roof by his four friends.
Later a sinful woman anointed the feet of Jesus with her tears. Jesus simply said, “Your sins are forgiven…”.
5. JESUS KNOWS EVERYTHING
The disciples remembered the day when Jesus met with the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus had never met her before. Nevertheless Jesus told the woman all about her private and sinful life. She said, “He told me all that I ever did!”
And on the day of Jesus’ Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem, it was none other than Jesus who would know exactly where the colt would be tied up and waiting for Jesus to arrive.
6. JESUS WAS KNOWN TO BE SINLESS
Everywhere Jesus led the disciples they saw those that hated Jesus. He had lots of enemies. His enemies accused Jesus of crimes constantly. Their charges and accusations never wee proven. Jesus remained innocent of any wrongdoing.
It was Pontius Pilate that said he could not find fault in Jesus and literally washed his hands of any guilty sentence.
The thief on the cross admitted his guilt of sin but said this of Jesus, “...this Man has done nothing wrong.”
It was Simon Peter who followed Jesus the closest. Peter wrote this in I Peter 2, “He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth.”
In John 8 Jesus asked, “Which one of you convicts Me of sin?”
CLOSE
And now look again at where Jesus had led the disciples in
TEXT: Matthew 17:2
What was it that Jesus taught the disciples there on that “high mountain, apart?”
The most important thing you could know in following Jesus anywhere. That is Jesus was more than your friend, your teacher or even your Healer.
Jesus is eternally glorified and will one day come back to Earth “Transfigured… His face will shine like the sun… and His clothes will be white as white as the light!”
The disciples followed Jesus and saw first hand what our resurrected bodies our celestial bodies our eternal bodies will soon become.
