His Face Shone Like The Sun!

By Mary Vee
Mark 9, Matthew 17, Luke 9

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee the church on the
Mount of Transfiguration

I am a disciple of Jesus.

Six days have passed since I've written to you. This morning Jesus asked only James, John, and me to go on a short journey.

We climb a high mountain called Mount Hermon. It was a climb that coud be done in a day, but a steep climb. The grass was soft and green here, and wild flowers grew. 

At the top of the mountain we stopped to catch our breath. Jesus talked with us until we were all rested. That was when something very unusual happened. 

Photo by Mary Vee in the church
on the Mount of Transfiguration

Jesus moved a little distance away from us then he changed in an amazing way. It was a transformation. Stay with me, this is difficult to explain. His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. 

I stared, not wanted to miss a single moment and was glad I had because just then Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Jesus.

My heart went wild. I could see my ancestors who had meant to much to my faith. Moses had led the Jewish people out of slavery into the promise land and Elijah was a mighty prophet who performed great miracles. 

I felt so honored to see them, I had to say something, "Lord, I am so honored to be here. To see you and Moses and Elijah. I will build a shelter three shelters. One for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

While I was speaking a bright cloud surrounded Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.

Then a voice from the cloud spoke, "this is my Son, whom I love. With him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"

Photo by Mary Vee in the church on the
Mount of Transfiguration

The voice was so very powerful. Power and authority I had never heard before. I immediately fell facedown to the ground and was terrified. James and John had too. This had to be the voice of God. Never before in my life had I been so afraid to stand before someone so powerful. 

I kept my head down and trembled until someone touched me. I looked up and saw Jesus. He said, "Get up. Don't be afraid." The cloud, Moses, and Elijah had vanished.

Photo by Mary Vee. Chapel for Elijah
in the church on the
Mount of Transfiguration

This may sound unusual for me, but I couldn't find words to say. The beautiful image lasted in my mind, the voice of God in my memory, the fear in my soul. I pressed my hand to my chest and took a deep breath. 

Jesus asked us to walk back down the mountain with him to join the others. Along the way he said, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

I asked, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" He was one of two men who were taken up to heaven without dieing. I was told he would come back first.

Jesus answered, "Elijah will come and restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him. They treated him with cruelty. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands."

Photo by Mary Vee. Mt. Hermon

That was when I understood that he was talking about John the Baptist. A great prophet whom I used to follow before he told me to follow Jesus. A man that the teachers treated with cruelty.

We kept everything we saw and heard to ourselves as Jesus asked for the time.

At times I remember in my dreams though and feel so very happy.

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

The People Longed to See Jesus

By Mary Vee
Mark 6, Matthew 14

Peter 

Near the area where Jesus fed the 5,000.
Northern area, up a high hill, The Sea of Galilee
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter, I am one of Jesus' disciples.

We twelve disciples and Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee last night and weighed anchor on the northwest shores at the city of Gennesaret this morning.

While out on the water, we saw crowds of people swarming to the shore and expected their greetings. Why? Because of Jesus. He'd fed 5000 people only the day before and the news had traveled. 

Over these many months, He has healed the sick, caused the lame to walk, the blind to see and ordered demons to leave those infirmed.

The people who came to the shore to greet us desperately cared about their loved ones who needed help and were willing to carry them wherever Jesus happened to be. Longing for a simple moment with Him. And while their first interest was the healing of their child or father, they also heard the teachings of God while with Him.

Jesus walked throughout the region teaching truths about His Father. Because he had healed those in need, family members brought their lame and blind and sick loved ones and sat them on mats. Everyone had a chance to hear Jesus' teachings, not just the healthy. Then with the compassion we'd known Jesus to have, He healed the loved ones.

Jesus walked into the countryside into small villages, and towns sharing the teachings of His Father to everyone. In those places, the people begged him to let them touch a tiny piece of his garment. 

Every time I watched another person healed, I marveled. The family smiled and rejoiced. The sick person rose up, well. 

Jesus cares for the people like no other man we have seen before. As I saw out on the sea, when my feet slipped into the water and he caught me, this man truly is the Son of God. Only He has the power to heal people. Only He knows the words of God to teach us. He is the promised Messiah.

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Philip - The Day Jesus Found Me

By Mary Vee
John 1

From the Apostle Philip's Notes

The area of Bethsaida. A community where those in need
could use these stones to grind if they didn't have one
at home. This was a marketplace where fishermen sold
their daily catch. A place where people came for food.
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Philip. For those who have read through the Scriptures, you will know that there isn't much written about my life. That's because I am a quiet, behind the scenes kind of person.

I was working the day a man came to me. I didn't know who he was.

He stopped as if he wanted to speak to me personally. I was curious so I set aside my work and waited for him to speak.

The man simple said, "Follow me."

On the inside of my head I should have sensed caution, but I didn't. I didn't know this man, and yet he intrigued me. I became curious, wanting to know more about him. 

I saw two other men with the stranger. They were fishermen I recognized from my home town. Brothers named, Peter and Andrew. These were hard working men. They seemed confident in connecting with this man. Peter and Andrew practically blurted at the same time, "This is the One we've been looking for. The Messiah."

The man spoke, "I am Jesus from Nazareth." 

I listened to him for a short time. It didn't take much for me to see this man was different. He was someone I wanted to listen to.

I'd heard about the carpenter Joseph and his son Jesus. This was that son, now a man. I didn't have to hear any more. Somehow, in my heart, I knew that this man truly was the one. I hardly knew what to say other than, "Do you mind if I find my friend and bring him to you?"

He acted as if He knew I would ask.

I ran as fast as I could searching in all the normal spots for my friend Nathanael. Friends always tell friends about good things. He had to believe me. I looked at his house. I searched where he worked. Where was he?

Finally found him sitting under a fig tree taking a break from the heat. "Nathanael. Get up. I have someone you need to meet."

"Why?" He didnt move. "I'm comfortable here." 

Unbelievable. I didn't want to miss the chance to take Nathanael to meet Jesus. "Look, I saw Peter and Andrew."

"So?"

"They were with this man."

"What man?"

I rolled my eyes. "The man I want to show you." I ran my hand over my beard and laughed. The most amazing thing happened. We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law. The one whom the prophets also wrote. His name is Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

Nathanael shook his head in total disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me. I'm not going anywhere. Can anything good come from Nazareth? And you want me to meet this Jesus who is from Nazareth?"

I folded my arms and dipped my head. "I guess you will have to come and see for yourself. What would it hurt. If I'm right, you will be a surprised as I was. If I'm wrong you get to make fun of me."

"Oh, all right. I guess I could come." He stood. "You better not be wrong."

"Oh, I won't be," I said. I took off at a sprint, expecting Nathanael to keep up. 

I got to thinking as I ran. Why did Jesus choose to talk to me when there were so many other people around. I'm nothing special. 

I guess I'll have to ask.


Come back for the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

*My research in Israel.