Building Memorials? Or Building the Kingdom?

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.(Mark 9: 2-9)

Some churches suffer from plaque buildup. Every sizable gift or donation is marked. Some churches have significant memorial funds that are more secure than Fort Knox, awaiting Jesus to return and gain access to them. I’ve yet to see a plaque that says “On this pew, Mildred People, age 8 gave her life to the Lord, and went on to faithfully and fruitfully serve God.” The marks we make should be in the hearts and lives of those who needed and through something we did brought them into a relationship with God.

The disciples taken by Jesus to this sacred event saw Jesus in His heavenly realm, a glimpse of glory, and saw and understood that with Him were Moses and Elijah, the two major figures the Prophet Malachi spoke of in the final word written in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). And their only reaction was to build a memorial to the event and to the three figures in the event. Please don’t get me wrong, plaques serve their place, but the call from God is to keep moving and doing what God expects from us. Memorial funds are also important but the greatest memory the de eased have left the funds for was to reach more for the Lord. The three disciples’ idea was interrupted by God’s voice which said, for the second time in their walk with Jesus, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to Him.” May it never be said our wanting to look back at the “good old days”;we fail to hear God’s voice for what we should know and do.

Take a moment to listen. It may just be God’s voice calling.

PRAYER: Loving Father, May I not be so much overwhelmed by the past and its glories that i fail to hear You today. My desire is to move forward and serve You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Take a moment or two to listen to the Lord today and all days.

Eradio Valverde

PRAYER REQUEST: For a gentleman named Cliff who is suffering from a bleeding adrenal gland. Prayers that God heal him. I celebrated Holy Communion with Dick and Shirley Goss after church and Dick is making significant progress in his recovery. Thank you for your prayers.