Forever Friends

Nº 402

It is not exceptionally worthy people that Jesus loves, but His love is exceptional in that He loves those of no value at all. In fact, He loves us in our sin. Only such a view of love correctly appreciates the sacrifice of Christ and respects the infinite chasm between what is deserved and mercy. - Jim Elliff

Atop the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus began to glow. He was joined by two renowned heroes of the faith, Moses and Elijah. Jesus’ three stunned disciples watched incredulously as he interacted with these two Old Testament giants.

Jesus’ first friend, Moses, had encountered God in a burning bush, led the Children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt, and received the Ten Commandments on Mt Sinai.

Jesus' second friend, Elijah, prayed and the rain stopped – for three years. He prayed and a little boy’s life was restored. Elijah prayed and fire fell from heaven on Mt Carmel and he prayed and a small cloud grew into a torrential rainstorm that broke the three-year drought.

Despite the remarkable events of their lives, Moses and Elijah also had dark histories. Moses was a murderer and Elijah battled deep depression. That’s the wonder of Jesus.

It is not the great things we have done, nor the horrid skeletons in our closets, Jesus loves us all and wants to have a life-changing relationship with us. Paul, with his own dark past wrote, He saves us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy. (Titus 3:5a)

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin