Matthew 17:1-13 And after six days Jesus takes Peter, James, and John his brother, and brings them up into an high mountain apart,… I. OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE ON EARTH NEEDS THAT WE SHOULD HAVE SPECIAL SEASONS OF COMMUNION WITH JESUS. It was from the midst of the activities of His ministry that our Lord took His disciples to this " mountain apart." Our animal and mental life needs stimulating. II. OUR HIGHER SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES WILL NOT HAVE THEIR RIGHT EFFECT UPON US UNLESS THEY LEAVE OUR ATTENTION FIXED ON "JESUS ONLY." Some seek the evidences of their saved state, and find all their comfort in emotional experiences. It is "very good" to be alone with Christ, and to behold His glory, but we may forget, and lose sight of Him in the sense of personal enjoyment. This was Peter's error. The three disciples were permitted to behold this transfiguration of the Saviour, that their attention might henceforth be fixed more on Him and less on themselves. Do not seek rapturous religious experiences merely for their own sake. III. No RELIGION WILL DO FOR US TO LIVE WITH, OR TO DIE WITH, BUT THAT IN WHICH WE SEE "JESUS ONLY." Ethical theories, philosophy, etc., will not do for us to live or die on. The simple gospel alone can give peace to the soul in life and death. (T. Hands.) Parallel Verses KJV: And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, |
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