Let's move on forward and follow! Be encouraged today. God is leading you somewhere... somewhere greater than our minds can conceive. He's leading us further into the knowledge of Himself.

And it is... [greater than our minds can conceive.] Are you resolved?

Please read Matthew 17:1-13

We watched Peter's mountain-top experience and declaration of the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and followed his quick descent and rebuke by Jesus. Now we'll watch him climb a mountain again. Literally.

Peter and two other disciples were hand-picked by Jesus as those who would see this further revelation of who He really was. Isn't that amazing?

Peter had just been rebuked. Did that discourage Jesus? No. Remember that Jesus saw Peter for who he would be. That's why the rebuke of the Lord was so necessary, so loving. And Jesus's resolve on Peter was unwavering and unchanging.

What a wonderful Savior! What an incredible friends! What a personal King! Praise Him!

I want to take a moment to remind you of the way we have been identified with Peter. That we are called to be the “Living stones.” That we have experienced the same calling from Jesus. “Come. Follow me. And I will make you...”

Peter had victories, and Peter had failures. But he was resolved. 1 Chronicles 19:9 says: “And you, (Solomon,) acknowledge the God of your father, and serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”

The other disciples were following. They were present for the same miracles that Peter experienced. They were friends of Jesus. They listened to His voice.

I don't believe that the other disciples were in any way punished by not being invited to the mountain as well. Perhaps they just weren't as desperate and willing to move forward and to see more of Jesus, whatever the cost.

You see Peter was rebuked harshly by the Lord. He was faced for the first time with the fact that things might not work out well. Not only would he not be working in the palace of his best friend and the new King... but his best friend and king... and Peter himself... might only be on the road to death and rejection.

He was faced with reality.

And he fixed his eyes on Jesus. And he moved forward to follow.

And WOW did Jesus honor that heart!

The other disciples might not even have been aware of what they missed. They had no idea how much more there really is of Jesus. They weren't quick to speak or act or show willingness to be called a fool like Peter had proven he was. And he was invited to witness the transfiguration.

For discussion: We've talked about fixing our eyes on Jesus. Let's continue EVERY day to find proactive ways to move our feet forward! We don't have to, can't, and shouldn't try to pretend that we can get to the end of the road today, this week, or in this life-time! But I don't know about you... I know that the more I follow this Jesus of ours, the more I'm sure I don't want to miss one glimpse of His wonderful glory, power, and awesome love!