Jesus Kept His Focus

Key Verse to Read and Treasure

Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”—Matthew 17:1-4 (NLT)

For Insight

Peter wanted to build three shelters on the mountain. They had experienced a true miracle and it had to be an awesome experience being in the presence of three holy men. The Spirit of God must have been high on that mountain!

We’ve been part of some awesome worship experiences in our day. Services where the preaching was hot, the choir made us feel we were gathered at the throne of God, where the Spirit was so high you could feel him in your bones. I can remember times when our dance troupe entered in with their flags as we sang our call to worship, “Oh the Glory of Your Presence.” Followed by our praise team leading us into a time of praise that lifted the entire congregation and my husband preaching down the aisle, everyone on their feet. Times we didn’t want to leave that place at the end of the service but stay right there.

I can understand Peter saying to Jesus, “Lord, let’s just stay. Up here is heavenly. But down there is darkness, discord, sickness, pain, unbelief, fighting, pulling and working against your mission and the Father’s purposes…Let’s just stay.”

Jesus was a strong man with a strong work ethic with a strong mindset and focus! As much as he must have loved being on that mountaintop, and it might have been tempting to camp out there, he told Peter “No,” I‘ve got a mission to complete and I can’t lose sight of what I came to do; I can’t lose my focus.

How good are you at keeping your focus for what God has sent you to do? And especially when things are going tough, and the opposition is fierce and the enemy relentless?

The mountain was glorious, but the valley was where God need his Son to be. There were still too many in darkness. Still too many who were in danger of losing their soul. Still too many who were confused and misdirected. Still too many whom the devil had trapped and oppressed.

Jesus could not lose his focus just like we cannot lose ours. We may be tired and just want to go home to be with the Lord. We may be weary of the opposition and push back. We may want to quit that job where we are hassled day after day. We may want to but Jesus asks us to keep our focus. There is plenty of time to rest, after the victory is won. Plenty of time to reflect, after the battle is over. Plenty of time to be in the presence of the greats, after our work is accomplished and the kingdom of God has been advanced.

Jesus, help me to keep my focus like you kept yours. The opposition is high but keep me strong. Amen

On a Scale of 1-10 How strong is your focus to what the Lord has assigned you to do?