Saw It with Our Own Eyes

Saw It with Our Own Eyes

We weren't, you know, just wishing on a star

when we laid the facts out before you regarding the

powerful return of our Master, Jesus Christ.  We were

there for the preview!  We saw it with our own eyes!

Jesus resplendent with light from God the Father

as the voice of Majestic Glory spoke:

"This is My Son, marked by My love, focus of all My delight."

2 Peter 1:16-17

Several years ago, my daughter and I attended a Trans Siberian Orchestra concert at the coliseum downtown.  What a show!  Gorgeous music, unbelievably energetic musicians, lasers, lights, smoke, mirrors, fire-breathing dragons - it was fantastic. Adults, seniors and little kids were all on the edge of their seats.   Now, I realize that the words I have just used to describe our experience do absolutely NOTHING to help you understand what it was like.  There are so many experiences in life that just do not translate down into words. When the visuals are so strong, you simply have to see it to believe it. 

Peter had this same problem when he tried to describe to the early Christians the "powerful return" of Jesus to this earth.  He was afraid that his listeners would not be able to catch the glorious wonder of the event from the words he employed to describe it.  The vision was bright and powerful in his own mind, however, because they had been given a taste of that glory when Peter, James and John were on the mountaintop with Jesus and two old friends came to call.  During the event called the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah came down from heaven and the appearance of Jesus was transformed into a figure radiating the power and glory of God. 

As long as Peter lived, he never forgot the force of that image or the acknowledgement of Christ as the Son of God who promised to return to the earth again.  Peter's life mission was to tell and retell the story, time and time again, until his listeners caught a glimpse of the vision and joined him in spreading the news to others.

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Come, thou long-expected Jesus,

Born to set Thy people free.

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation,

Hope of all the earth Thou art.

Dear desire of every nation,

Joy of every longing heart.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 196