Day 290, October 17 More Insights

Carry your cross?

What did Jesus mean when he told his disciples, "you must take up your cross and follow me?"

In the Roman Empire a convicted criminal, when taken to be crucified, was forced to carry his own cross [two long roughly hewn wooden beams fastened together formed the cross on which a criminal would be impaled with spikes driven through his wrists and ankles]. This showed publicly that he was then under and submissive to the rule he had been opposing.

Likewise Jesus’ disciples must demonstrate their submission to the One against whom they had rebelled. The path Jesus and His followers would travel would be a road of sorrow and suffering. But in so losing one’s life, he would find a better life.

What does the transfiguration reveal about Jesus?

First of all, it shows Jesus in his glorified form as the Son of God. Beside him appear Moses and Elijah. Both bear testimonies of Christ’s death. Perhaps Moses witnesses Christ being the fulfillment of the Mosaic Law and Elijah witnesses Christ being the fulfillment of the prophecies.

Another author suggests that the three disciples saw a little bit of heaven. Moses represented the Old Testament believers, Elijah the prophet represented future believers, and Jesus Christ was in his glory. The three disciples watching them were representatives of the soon coming church. Perhaps both views are valid.

Peter is so overwhelmed with the glorious sight that he suggests making three little shelters to honor them. “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’” (Matthew 17:5, NIV)

The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the N.T., by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985 pp. 59-60

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