Discovering the New Covenant by Greg Taylor - exAdventist Outreach
Discovering the New Covenant by Greg Taylor - exAdventist Outreach
Discovering the New Covenant by Greg Taylor - exAdventist Outreach
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THE SABBATH IN THE GOSPELS<br />
or He was Himself guilty of Sabbath breaking and<br />
encouraging o<strong>the</strong>rs to step outside of God’s will. This<br />
would have disqualified Him from being our Savior and<br />
our perfect Substitute. The former explanation is <strong>the</strong> only<br />
one that makes sense.<br />
Finally, <strong>the</strong> story of <strong>the</strong> Transfiguration began to have<br />
new significance for me. You remember how Moses and<br />
Elijah appeared on top of <strong>the</strong> mountain with Jesus as He<br />
was transfigured (Mat<strong>the</strong>w 17). I always thought that this<br />
was a miniature picture of <strong>the</strong> Kingdom, but I missed an<br />
important statement made <strong>by</strong> God. Moses, to <strong>the</strong> people of<br />
that day, represented <strong>the</strong> Law, <strong>the</strong> first five books. Often<br />
<strong>the</strong> Law was just referred to as Moses. The ultimate<br />
prophet in <strong>the</strong> Old Testament era according to <strong>the</strong> Jews was<br />
Elijah. He represented <strong>the</strong> prophets to <strong>the</strong>m. These were<br />
highly significant figures to <strong>the</strong> Jewish people. They<br />
represented to <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong> entire revelation of God up to that<br />
point.<br />
It was at this point that Peter suggested that <strong>the</strong>y<br />
remain <strong>the</strong>re and <strong>the</strong> disciples would build three shelters for<br />
<strong>the</strong> three to be toge<strong>the</strong>r in that place. He is in essence<br />
saying that Elijah and Moses and Jesus are all on <strong>the</strong> same<br />
level. We have Moses here, we have Elijah here, and we<br />
have Jesus too! Now we have all of <strong>the</strong> revelation of God<br />
past, present and future -- Right? Wait a minute! Suddenly<br />
a bright cloud overshadowed <strong>the</strong>m and a voice from <strong>the</strong><br />
cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well<br />
pleased, hear Him!” (Mt 17:5) The disciples were terrified,<br />
of course, but after a while <strong>the</strong>y looked up. What did <strong>the</strong>y<br />
see? They saw Jesus alone. I had never seen <strong>the</strong><br />
significance of this before. Jesus and <strong>the</strong> Law and <strong>the</strong><br />
Prophets are standing side <strong>by</strong> side. God says, “Listen to My<br />
Son!” It is not <strong>the</strong> Law and <strong>the</strong> Prophets and Jesus. For <strong>the</strong><br />
Christian era, it is only Jesus. Jesus is in a league all <strong>by</strong><br />
Himself. He is <strong>the</strong> clearest revelation of God. The Law and<br />
<strong>the</strong> Prophets have <strong>the</strong>ir place, but fade into insignificance<br />
next to Jesus. This verse helped to underscore in my mind<br />
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