WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:09.120 Today's scripture reading comes from Matthew 16-17, starting in Matthew 16, verse 21, we read, 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:19.760 From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, 00:00:20.199 --> 00:00:23.400 and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 00:00:23.399 --> 00:00:31.960 And Peter took him aside and began to bebook him, saying, Far be it from you, Lord, this shall never happen to you. 00:00:32.600 --> 00:00:43.099 But he turned and said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan, you are hindrance to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man. 00:00:44.019 --> 00:00:52.939 Then Jesus told his disciples, If anyone will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 00:00:53.399 --> 00:00:59.759 For whoever will save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 00:01:00.359 --> 00:01:05.159 For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? 00:01:05.700 --> 00:01:08.379 Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 00:01:08.939 --> 00:01:13.599 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, 00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:18.019 and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 00:01:18.019 --> 00:01:28.399 Surely, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. 00:01:29.579 --> 00:01:34.899 And after six days, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, 00:01:35.299 --> 00:01:38.359 and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 00:01:38.359 --> 00:01:46.099 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 00:01:46.700 --> 00:01:51.980 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 00:01:52.400 --> 00:01:56.400 And Peter said to Jesus, Lord, it is good that we are here. 00:01:56.879 --> 00:02:03.280 If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. 00:02:03.280 --> 00:02:10.219 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, 00:02:10.780 --> 00:02:15.659 This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him. 00:02:16.319 --> 00:02:20.400 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 00:02:20.979 --> 00:02:25.860 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, Rise, and have no fear. 00:02:26.500 --> 00:02:30.900 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 00:02:30.900 --> 00:02:35.860 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, 00:02:36.260 --> 00:02:40.300 Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead. 00:02:40.819 --> 00:02:46.020 And the disciples asked him, Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come? 00:02:46.580 --> 00:02:50.700 He answered, Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 00:02:51.140 --> 00:02:55.780 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, 00:02:56.219 --> 00:02:58.200 but did to him whatever they pleased. 00:02:58.199 --> 00:03:02.239 So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands. 00:03:02.759 --> 00:03:07.299 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. 00:03:07.799 --> 00:03:09.280 This is the word of God. 00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:13.840 Great. Thanks, Sherman, for reading. 00:03:14.800 --> 00:03:21.300 Now, a week ago, I moved house, and so I spent a lot of time on the phone with utility companies. 00:03:21.879 --> 00:03:23.740 And I always have to verify my identity. 00:03:23.979 --> 00:03:25.580 Can you give your Hong Kong ID card? 00:03:25.819 --> 00:03:27.000 How do you pay us? 00:03:27.060 --> 00:03:28.780 And those kind of things to change the address. 00:03:29.639 --> 00:03:30.860 It's just for security, right? 00:03:30.900 --> 00:03:34.020 They don't want any stranger to just come and change the address. 00:03:34.020 --> 00:03:34.980 I think it's a good thing. 00:03:35.060 --> 00:03:37.400 It's a hassle, but it's a good thing. 00:03:38.040 --> 00:03:42.860 One credit card I have in the UK is they are really, it's kind of worrying in a way. 00:03:42.960 --> 00:03:44.000 They know me so well. 00:03:44.160 --> 00:03:47.379 Whenever I buy something strange, they will give me a call. 00:03:47.480 --> 00:03:48.219 Is this really you? 00:03:48.840 --> 00:03:51.320 So a few months ago, we booked flights to go abroad. 00:03:51.620 --> 00:03:53.840 And hey, you haven't bought flights in two years. 00:03:53.920 --> 00:03:54.660 Is this really you? 00:03:54.659 --> 00:04:01.280 But yeah, I mean, right, you don't want anyone to just use the credit cards and everything. 00:04:01.939 --> 00:04:02.900 Verifying the identity. 00:04:03.479 --> 00:04:04.599 I mean, you would do the same. 00:04:04.780 --> 00:04:10.340 I don't know if you've ever had this kind of email from a friend suddenly who just emails 00:04:10.340 --> 00:04:13.019 out of the blue and says, hey, I'm in Spain on holiday. 00:04:13.019 --> 00:04:17.860 And, you know, all my bags got stolen and all my money and my phone. 00:04:18.219 --> 00:04:19.139 But I found this local. 00:04:19.300 --> 00:04:22.319 So can you please transfer $20,000 to this account? 00:04:22.719 --> 00:04:24.079 That'd be really helpful for me. 00:04:25.259 --> 00:04:26.439 I don't know what you would do. 00:04:27.079 --> 00:04:29.039 I think it sounds a lot like a scam to me, right? 00:04:29.180 --> 00:04:31.060 But you would give them a call, right? 00:04:31.099 --> 00:04:34.339 You would text them and say, hey, is this really you? 00:04:34.699 --> 00:04:36.060 Otherwise, your account's been hacked. 00:04:36.979 --> 00:04:40.099 Now, if you get a strange request, you want to make sure, is this real? 00:04:40.459 --> 00:04:41.180 Is this true? 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:42.360 Is this really from you? 00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:46.500 And that's kind of how we should see today's passage. 00:04:47.459 --> 00:04:54.860 Because, you know, the thing we're going to look at in chapter 17, people call it a transfiguration, 00:04:55.040 --> 00:04:55.160 right? 00:04:55.180 --> 00:04:58.120 When Jesus is completely changed on the mountain. 00:04:59.079 --> 00:05:00.860 It comes after last week. 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:04.220 And if you were here last week, well, it was quite a shock. 00:05:04.379 --> 00:05:09.000 I mean, it was a big moment that we're looking at these few weeks because the disciples of 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:11.959 Jesus finally figured out who Jesus is. 00:05:12.079 --> 00:05:13.720 Well, God revealed it to him, right? 00:05:13.779 --> 00:05:17.540 And in verse 16, Jesus asked, who do you say I am? 00:05:18.220 --> 00:05:19.800 And Peter gets it. 00:05:20.139 --> 00:05:22.980 You are the Christ, the son of the living God. 00:05:23.379 --> 00:05:24.399 You're the Messiah. 00:05:24.560 --> 00:05:27.240 You're the one who comes to bring God's kingdom. 00:05:27.399 --> 00:05:28.720 You're going to make everything right. 00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:29.639 You're here. 00:05:30.540 --> 00:05:31.980 And Jesus says, yeah, that's right. 00:05:32.040 --> 00:05:32.639 Don't tell anyone. 00:05:33.360 --> 00:05:36.259 But verse 21 was then a big shock, right? 00:05:36.339 --> 00:05:36.979 Verse 21. 00:05:37.719 --> 00:05:44.339 From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many 00:05:44.339 --> 00:05:48.279 things from the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed. 00:05:49.099 --> 00:05:50.399 And on the third day, be raised. 00:05:51.039 --> 00:05:53.979 Yes, I'm the Messiah, but I'm going to get killed. 00:05:54.959 --> 00:05:57.639 Which just doesn't compute. 00:05:57.639 --> 00:06:01.759 I mean, for us as Christians, we're so used to it. 00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:03.039 But imagine the shock. 00:06:03.159 --> 00:06:03.419 I don't know. 00:06:03.479 --> 00:06:07.639 A few decades ago, people voted for Obama in the US, right? 00:06:07.659 --> 00:06:08.939 Because they wanted change. 00:06:09.519 --> 00:06:11.719 And he complained, oh, let's have change. 00:06:11.779 --> 00:06:12.560 And they all voted. 00:06:12.680 --> 00:06:13.199 And he won. 00:06:13.779 --> 00:06:15.779 Imagine him in his victory speech, you know? 00:06:16.060 --> 00:06:17.919 Thank you so much for voting for me. 00:06:18.079 --> 00:06:19.719 Thank you for putting your trust in me. 00:06:20.039 --> 00:06:24.579 And I promise that on my very first day in office, I'm going to commit suicide. 00:06:24.579 --> 00:06:25.259 Right? 00:06:26.939 --> 00:06:27.300 Right? 00:06:27.339 --> 00:06:28.180 It makes no sense. 00:06:28.539 --> 00:06:30.019 But that is what Jesus is saying, right? 00:06:30.060 --> 00:06:30.740 I'm the Messiah. 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:33.839 And so I'm going to go to Jerusalem and they're going to kill me. 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:38.939 You would just think, if you're Peter Bates, are you really the Messiah? 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:39.959 Is this really you? 00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:43.099 Because this does not make any sense to me. 00:06:44.860 --> 00:06:47.539 Or, to us, of course, we know, right? 00:06:47.599 --> 00:06:48.939 2,000 years of Christianity. 00:06:49.240 --> 00:06:51.279 We know, of course, Jesus had to die. 00:06:51.279 --> 00:06:53.759 It's for our sins to rescue us. 00:06:53.799 --> 00:06:54.379 And it's wonderful. 00:06:55.579 --> 00:06:57.560 But then the second part of last week, right? 00:06:57.599 --> 00:06:59.359 It's not just Jesus who's going to die. 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:02.199 We're going to, well, deny ourselves. 00:07:02.659 --> 00:07:04.399 Lose our lives for Jesus, right? 00:07:04.479 --> 00:07:05.259 Verse 24. 00:07:06.399 --> 00:07:08.300 Then Jesus told his disciples, 00:07:09.039 --> 00:07:15.120 If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:17.039 Denying yourself. 00:07:17.159 --> 00:07:18.079 Taking up your cross. 00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:20.120 Saying no to sin. 00:07:20.279 --> 00:07:22.579 Saying no to your selfish desires. 00:07:22.699 --> 00:07:23.879 Putting Jesus first. 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:28.219 Putting up with hardship and persecution for the kingdom. 00:07:29.300 --> 00:07:30.180 Very demanding. 00:07:31.500 --> 00:07:34.620 And you hear that and you think, wow, this is a big ask. 00:07:36.300 --> 00:07:37.779 Do I really have to do this? 00:07:37.779 --> 00:07:40.279 Is this really from you, Jesus? 00:07:40.339 --> 00:07:42.099 Because, again, we were expecting paradise. 00:07:42.419 --> 00:07:44.319 We were expecting the good life to come now. 00:07:45.119 --> 00:07:47.319 Instead, we're getting the hard life. 00:07:47.500 --> 00:07:49.059 The cross-shaped, cruciform life. 00:07:49.060 --> 00:07:52.879 Because it can be tough to be a Christian. 00:07:52.879 --> 00:07:55.220 It's full of joy and peace and comfort. 00:07:55.360 --> 00:07:57.980 But also, it can be demanding, right? 00:07:58.180 --> 00:08:00.280 Giving up your life for Jesus. 00:08:01.379 --> 00:08:01.620 You know? 00:08:02.100 --> 00:08:02.980 You have those doubts. 00:08:03.160 --> 00:08:06.079 Sometimes you need to sacrifice something. 00:08:06.840 --> 00:08:07.800 Can I do this? 00:08:07.899 --> 00:08:08.840 You're at work. 00:08:08.839 --> 00:08:12.500 Jesus wants you to do the right thing, right? 00:08:12.539 --> 00:08:14.519 And I can lie or I can be honest. 00:08:15.319 --> 00:08:17.739 But if I'm honest, I'm going to lose a lot of... 00:08:17.739 --> 00:08:19.239 I'm going to take a big financial hit. 00:08:20.099 --> 00:08:20.939 Can I do that? 00:08:21.539 --> 00:08:25.579 Can I really live for Jesus and put him first and not myself? 00:08:25.579 --> 00:08:30.699 Well, Jesus wants to assure us. 00:08:31.099 --> 00:08:33.720 Jesus knows that, you know, it is hard to live for him. 00:08:33.819 --> 00:08:35.079 What he says is confusing. 00:08:35.299 --> 00:08:38.679 What he says can be demanding for the disciples, for us. 00:08:39.179 --> 00:08:40.639 And so 17, verse 1. 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:45.079 And after six days, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, his brother. 00:08:46.039 --> 00:08:47.379 There's a time reference, right? 00:08:47.419 --> 00:08:48.259 Six days later. 00:08:48.740 --> 00:08:49.720 These are linked. 00:08:50.199 --> 00:08:54.480 What's happening today, you know, it's connected with last week. 00:08:54.480 --> 00:08:56.600 It helps us with last week. 00:08:57.480 --> 00:09:02.759 Because if you wonder what should we do from today, actually God himself speaks in the passage. 00:09:02.899 --> 00:09:03.600 You've heard it, right? 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:07.440 At the end of verse 5 of chapter 17, listen to him. 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:08.080 All right? 00:09:08.100 --> 00:09:08.879 That's what God says. 00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:14.360 This is what, you know, Jesus just gave this speech and God says, listen to him. 00:09:14.420 --> 00:09:15.580 That's what he wants. 00:09:15.680 --> 00:09:20.240 And then to really listen to him, well, we need to have a bigger view of what Jesus is, 00:09:20.580 --> 00:09:21.759 which is what we're going to get. 00:09:21.759 --> 00:09:24.319 And so we're going to look at this passage, yeah? 00:09:24.439 --> 00:09:27.960 And I hope I have a great view of Jesus so we can do this. 00:09:28.039 --> 00:09:29.600 We can follow him. 00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:30.519 We can trust him. 00:09:31.819 --> 00:09:33.819 But what, who is Jesus then? 00:09:33.879 --> 00:09:34.779 What do we see here? 00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:37.879 Well, first point, God says it, right? 00:09:37.939 --> 00:09:39.220 This is my son. 00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:41.600 Jesus really is the son. 00:09:41.779 --> 00:09:43.580 Peter, this is not, no confusion. 00:09:43.960 --> 00:09:46.720 This really is the son, the son of God. 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:53.399 Because we get this incredible event that has such an impact on the disciples as, well, 00:09:53.480 --> 00:09:57.600 Jesus, yeah, the transfiguration is what it's called. 00:09:57.740 --> 00:09:59.180 But what happens? 00:09:59.259 --> 00:10:00.600 So they go up a mountain, right? 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:02.680 Up a high mountain, verse 1. 00:10:03.800 --> 00:10:05.360 What do you do on a high mountain? 00:10:05.540 --> 00:10:07.660 Well, in the Bible, you meet God, right? 00:10:07.720 --> 00:10:10.220 Like Moses going up Mount Sinai. 00:10:10.580 --> 00:10:11.399 Those kind of things. 00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:14.720 They're going up the mountain to meet with God. 00:10:14.860 --> 00:10:17.860 And then Jesus is completely transfigured, right? 00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:18.360 Verse 2. 00:10:18.659 --> 00:10:20.459 He was transfigured before them. 00:10:20.819 --> 00:10:22.939 And his face shone like the sun. 00:10:23.399 --> 00:10:25.480 And his clothes became white as light. 00:10:26.419 --> 00:10:27.699 I mean, it's a bit rainy now. 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:29.620 But the heat wave the past few weeks, right? 00:10:29.659 --> 00:10:31.039 Have you ever tried to look at the sun? 00:10:31.500 --> 00:10:33.100 And it was so bright. 00:10:33.459 --> 00:10:35.539 And you can't see it. 00:10:35.579 --> 00:10:37.579 That's what Jesus suddenly became like. 00:10:37.580 --> 00:10:40.780 He was full of dazzling splendor. 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:43.500 And his clothes completely white. 00:10:43.820 --> 00:10:48.000 And this was just no mere human being, right, that they suddenly saw. 00:10:48.540 --> 00:10:50.879 Suddenly, Jesus was so much more. 00:10:51.580 --> 00:10:54.440 And then Moses and Elijah appeared, right? 00:10:54.520 --> 00:10:58.580 These two figures from the Old Testament were suddenly there talking to Jesus. 00:10:59.560 --> 00:11:01.139 I don't know how Peter knew it was them. 00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:01.620 I don't know. 00:11:01.680 --> 00:11:04.180 Did Moses have his stone tablets or something? 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:04.879 I have no idea. 00:11:04.879 --> 00:11:07.120 Or did they just talk? 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:08.659 Jesus, hey, Moses, what's up? 00:11:08.740 --> 00:11:09.100 I don't know. 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:12.519 But Moses and Elijah, you know? 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:18.820 Guys from 1,000, 1,500 years earlier who were long gone. 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:21.419 And they were there talking with Jesus. 00:11:21.879 --> 00:11:23.539 I don't know why it's Moses and Elijah. 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:27.200 Maybe some people think, oh, it's the law and the prophets. 00:11:27.399 --> 00:11:29.720 So it's the Old Testament pointing to Jesus. 00:11:30.419 --> 00:11:34.519 Maybe they were just these heroes who actually went up a mountain and met with God. 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:37.460 Except now they're meeting Jesus. 00:11:38.019 --> 00:11:39.519 Kind of shows you who Jesus is, right? 00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:42.120 But, you know, I would be in awe, right? 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:45.179 If you're there and Moses and Elijah appear. 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:47.860 But at the same time, it's not about them, right? 00:11:47.879 --> 00:11:49.080 It's all about Jesus. 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:50.399 The big focus is on him. 00:11:51.039 --> 00:11:52.740 Peter is a bit confused, right? 00:11:52.799 --> 00:11:56.779 And so, oh, Lord, verse 4, it's good that we're here. 00:11:57.279 --> 00:11:58.839 If you wish, I'll make three tents here. 00:11:58.919 --> 00:12:01.319 One for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah. 00:12:01.939 --> 00:12:03.720 Basically, all three the same. 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:04.860 No. 00:12:05.459 --> 00:12:08.079 And so, God himself speaks, right? 00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:09.899 The Father, second time in the gospel. 00:12:10.299 --> 00:12:12.860 This big cloud appears, a bit like in the temple. 00:12:13.299 --> 00:12:14.419 The presence of God. 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:16.139 And this booming voice. 00:12:16.819 --> 00:12:20.559 This is my son with whom I'm well pleased. 00:12:21.159 --> 00:12:22.120 Listen to him. 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:25.080 And the disciples, they fall on the ground. 00:12:25.460 --> 00:12:26.600 And they're terrified. 00:12:28.840 --> 00:12:30.360 But it's all Jesus, right? 00:12:30.460 --> 00:12:33.639 Verse 8, the cloud disappears and there's only one person left. 00:12:34.179 --> 00:12:34.560 Jesus. 00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:36.600 He is the one. 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:38.500 Moses and Elijah, they're gone. 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:40.179 It's like they're not even there. 00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:41.279 Right? 00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:42.340 The point is very clear. 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:43.560 Jesus is the son. 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:44.899 The one and only. 00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:50.080 And that's really imprinted deep in their minds and hearts now, right? 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:51.259 Jesus is the one. 00:12:52.120 --> 00:12:54.399 They, that's what the Father says. 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:59.019 And so, if he really is the son, really the Messiah, well, this is my son. 00:12:59.120 --> 00:12:59.759 Listen to him. 00:13:00.919 --> 00:13:02.700 May sound very confusing what he says. 00:13:02.940 --> 00:13:04.560 But no mistake. 00:13:04.659 --> 00:13:05.460 This is the Messiah. 00:13:05.840 --> 00:13:06.539 This is the son. 00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:08.080 May sound very demanding. 00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:10.440 This really is the son. 00:13:10.560 --> 00:13:11.279 That's the point. 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:14.659 I mean, it must have been terrifying for these guys, right? 00:13:15.659 --> 00:13:20.560 But although in a way, I hope you see this is a very kind and gracious thing of Jesus to do. 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:25.759 He knew that his disciples were having these doubts and fears about who he really was. 00:13:26.599 --> 00:13:29.819 And so, he gives them this, what a scary thing. 00:13:30.919 --> 00:13:32.739 I love verse 7, right? 00:13:32.979 --> 00:13:33.559 That contrast. 00:13:34.459 --> 00:13:36.419 On the one hand, Jesus so shining. 00:13:36.579 --> 00:13:37.279 And then verse 7. 00:13:38.459 --> 00:13:41.479 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, rise and have no fear. 00:13:41.559 --> 00:13:41.719 Right? 00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:43.620 They're terrified on the ground. 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:44.680 And he just, hey, come on. 00:13:44.940 --> 00:13:45.300 It's okay. 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:47.460 He scares them, but then also. 00:13:48.660 --> 00:13:51.480 But he wants to assure them, look, this is really me. 00:13:52.180 --> 00:13:54.680 It is really, I really am the Messiah. 00:13:56.019 --> 00:14:00.019 And maybe you've had that sometimes, that God just really assures you in a certain way. 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:02.500 You know, you're really worried about something. 00:14:02.500 --> 00:14:05.200 And then you see an incredible answer to prayer. 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:06.919 And it's kind of scary almost. 00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:11.139 Except that it reassures you, oh yeah, God is with me. 00:14:11.960 --> 00:14:15.120 Or some, you didn't even pray, some amazing coincidence. 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:16.980 And just, you know, okay. 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.720 You know, God is with me. 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:19.259 He loves me. 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:20.360 It's okay. 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.120 I can do this. 00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:23.580 That's the idea here, this sign. 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:25.700 Jesus really is the Son. 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:26.659 Yeah? 00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:28.659 And Peter got that message. 00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:32.719 You know, 35 years later, he wrote a letter of 2 Peter. 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:36.500 He wants to say to his readers, look, what I'm telling you is really true. 00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:37.959 What does he say? 00:14:38.039 --> 00:14:38.919 Well, 2 Peter 1. 00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:40.759 Some verses. 00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:46.120 This is Peter. 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:52.659 Look, we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:14:53.079 --> 00:14:55.059 But we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 00:14:55.059 --> 00:15:01.599 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was born to him by the majestic glory, 00:15:01.739 --> 00:15:04.119 this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:07.399 We ourselves heard his very voice, born from heaven. 00:15:07.959 --> 00:15:09.439 For we were with him on the holy mountain. 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:11.419 Look, this is really true. 00:15:11.599 --> 00:15:13.000 We heard God speak. 00:15:13.099 --> 00:15:14.000 We saw the Son. 00:15:14.439 --> 00:15:15.299 This is really true. 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:17.959 That's the point, right? 00:15:18.459 --> 00:15:19.599 This really is the Son. 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:22.560 And so, I mean, we all believe that, right? 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:25.220 We all, you're a Christian, you believe Jesus is the Son of God. 00:15:26.580 --> 00:15:29.920 But this passage says, if you believe that, what will you do? 00:15:30.700 --> 00:15:32.220 You will listen to him. 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:35.800 You will take his words seriously. 00:15:36.200 --> 00:15:40.320 No matter if they are difficult to understand or hard to obey. 00:15:41.040 --> 00:15:43.040 You will listen to him. 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:44.100 Right? 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:44.660 That's what it says. 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:47.339 So, are we doing that? 00:15:47.459 --> 00:15:49.139 You know, Jesus tells us what it's like. 00:15:49.579 --> 00:15:53.319 We need to deny ourselves, say no to our sin. 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:56.399 How seriously do we take that? 00:15:57.839 --> 00:15:59.419 Because I know what I'm like, right? 00:15:59.439 --> 00:16:00.299 Life is busy. 00:16:01.159 --> 00:16:05.519 And I know kind of, I've been confronted with maybe some sinful desire, 00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:08.980 some envy, pride, lust. 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:14.139 And I read the Bible, and I can feel Jesus speaking to me that I should do something about this. 00:16:15.800 --> 00:16:17.980 But so often, we're just so slow, right? 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:22.980 I'm so slow that, yeah, I know, but it doesn't really mean that. 00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:24.539 It should be okay, right? 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:28.120 I'm a bit busy right now to really sort this out. 00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:29.820 Maybe Christmas I'll have more time. 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:32.159 I don't know if you recognize that in yourself. 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:35.080 But it's so easy to take it slow, right? 00:16:35.080 --> 00:16:39.139 But then we haven't really grasped who Jesus is. 00:16:39.560 --> 00:16:43.620 Then in our hearts, I think Jesus is just this very small little guy, right? 00:16:43.680 --> 00:16:46.680 Compared to my sin, compared to the things of the world. 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:50.660 If you were on that mountain, on your face, 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:53.620 before Jesus in dazzling splendor, 00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:56.540 with this cloud, and God says, listen to him. 00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:59.840 I don't think you'd say, well, maybe Christmas time, I'll have some time. 00:17:00.420 --> 00:17:00.620 Right? 00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:02.280 You would listen. 00:17:02.280 --> 00:17:03.780 You would take Jesus seriously. 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:05.399 Yeah? 00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:08.759 So, next time you struggle to obey, yeah. 00:17:09.419 --> 00:17:10.799 Well, what is it? 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:13.039 Why are we so slow? 00:17:13.399 --> 00:17:14.919 Well, what's really going on inside? 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:16.819 Yeah? 00:17:17.659 --> 00:17:19.119 Or maybe something else. 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:23.379 Maybe, you know, Jesus says he needs to die for us. 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:27.379 Maybe you're here, you haven't yet put your trust in Jesus, 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:30.119 because, look, I'm a pretty good person. 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:31.919 Jesus, you don't need to die for me. 00:17:31.919 --> 00:17:32.460 It's okay. 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:34.299 I can sort myself out. 00:17:35.899 --> 00:17:37.799 Do you take seriously what Jesus said? 00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:40.000 Jesus says, I have to die for you. 00:17:40.679 --> 00:17:44.299 I'm not going to enjoy it, but I love you and I'm going to die for you. 00:17:45.379 --> 00:17:46.740 Do you take that seriously? 00:17:47.139 --> 00:17:50.619 Do you take, yeah, that's, okay. 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:54.259 If he says, I'm so sinful, he needs to die for me, then that's true. 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.640 And I need to do that. 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:59.839 And I need to humbly come to him and accept his sacrifice for me. 00:18:00.879 --> 00:18:01.079 All right? 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:05.720 If you were there before him, so small, and he is so great, and he would say that to you, 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:08.140 I need to die for you, yeah, you would accept that. 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:09.079 All right? 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:10.440 Do we take him seriously? 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:14.299 But it's not just his identity. 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:18.860 Because, yes, this is Jesus' glory, but there's more. 00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:25.460 Because this glory has a certain focus, and namely what we need to, what Jesus wants to 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:29.940 really tell us is that Jesus will really rise and return. 00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:32.580 Jesus will rise and return. 00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:38.360 Because that is, in a way, the big thing that our last week's passage ends. 00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:39.900 It ends with Jesus' return. 00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:42.860 Because why should we follow Jesus? 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:44.940 Why give up your life for him? 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:45.360 Right? 00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:45.640 Why? 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:47.640 Well, the future, right? 00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:49.279 This whole passage is full of the future. 00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:51.380 So, verse 25, right? 00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:57.500 For whoever would save his life now will lose it later. 00:18:57.500 --> 00:19:02.559 But whoever loses his life now, for my sake, will find it later. 00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:03.079 Right? 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:07.980 Well, what good is it to gain the whole world now if you forfeit your soul later? 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.819 It's all about later. 00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:12.160 And why does later matter so much? 00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:14.920 Well, because Jesus is going to return. 00:19:15.380 --> 00:19:22.440 Verse 27, for the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:26.720 and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.700 And why does it matter? 00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:31.359 Because Jesus will return. 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:35.140 Well, I mean, if Jesus won't return, right? 00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:37.079 If there's no future, then, yeah, it doesn't matter, right? 00:19:37.099 --> 00:19:38.180 Why give up your life now? 00:19:38.619 --> 00:19:39.220 Just meaningless. 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:41.980 Like we just saw in Ecclesiastes over the summer. 00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:45.339 But no, Ecclesiastes ends in the same way. 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:45.799 No, no. 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:47.259 Life now matters. 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:47.680 Why? 00:19:48.339 --> 00:19:49.480 Well, we heard that, right? 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:51.259 The end of the matter, all has been heard. 00:19:51.819 --> 00:19:53.220 Fear God and keep his commandments. 00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:54.539 Why? 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:56.859 For God will bring every deed into judgment. 00:19:58.500 --> 00:20:01.599 Except here it's Jesus who will bring every deed into judgment. 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.940 Kind of shows you again who he is, right? 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:09.740 If any of you here think Jesus is just a good teacher, he claims he is the judge. 00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:13.359 He claims he's going to come with 200 million angels and judge the world. 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:15.319 That's not just a nice teacher. 00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:17.679 But that's the thing, right? 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:19.159 Jesus will come and judge. 00:20:19.299 --> 00:20:22.419 And therefore, life matters now. 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:25.339 And in a way, that is then how it's connected, right? 00:20:25.399 --> 00:20:27.299 Because he says that, I'm going to return. 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.779 Verse 28. 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:36.759 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:41.160 And so, you know, I'm going to return. 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:44.279 And let me tell you, some of you are not going to taste death until you see something. 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:48.279 It's like he's promising a sign, and then he takes them up the mountain. 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:49.599 So it's connected, right? 00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:52.279 This is the glory of his return. 00:20:52.379 --> 00:20:55.519 The glory when he comes as judge, as king of the world. 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.940 That is what he's showing. 00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:59.140 And not just beforehand. 00:20:59.820 --> 00:21:00.840 Afterwards, verse 9. 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:04.160 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:08.360 Tell no one the vision until the Son of Man is raised from the dead. 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:11.779 Again, it's connected with his resurrection. 00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:16.680 Because, of course, Jesus is glorious right then as well. 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.580 But it's hidden, right? 00:21:17.620 --> 00:21:20.420 He walks around as a rabbi through the desert. 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:24.620 And you wouldn't even notice that he is the Son of God until he maybe does a miracle. 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:27.199 And his glory was hidden. 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:32.079 That's what the disciples don't seem to really get, right? 00:21:32.139 --> 00:21:34.699 Because as they go down the mountain, they have this discussion. 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:35.659 And verse 10. 00:21:36.139 --> 00:21:37.199 The disciples asked him, 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:40.799 Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come? 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:45.500 And if you're confused about that, that's from the last verses of the Old Testament. 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:50.979 God promises in Malachi 4, 00:21:51.679 --> 00:21:53.919 Behold, I'll send you Elijah the prophet. 00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:56.420 Before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 00:21:57.360 --> 00:21:58.220 Elijah's going to come. 00:21:58.300 --> 00:22:00.259 And then the day of the Messiah. 00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:04.840 And you're the Messiah, you're here, but I haven't seen Elijah yet. 00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:05.220 No, no. 00:22:05.820 --> 00:22:07.779 Elijah has come, but he's hidden. 00:22:08.320 --> 00:22:08.440 Right? 00:22:08.860 --> 00:22:09.500 Verse 11. 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:12.060 Elijah does come, and he'll restore all things. 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:15.200 But I tell you, Elijah has already come. 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:18.740 And they didn't recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. 00:22:18.860 --> 00:22:21.920 Gee, it was John the Baptist, but he was kind of hidden. 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:25.519 People didn't notice it was Elijah, and they killed him. 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:28.960 And it's going to be the same for the Son of Man. 00:22:29.079 --> 00:22:29.240 Right? 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:31.519 So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer. 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:34.240 Jesus came hidden in a way. 00:22:34.359 --> 00:22:41.299 He laid aside his glory, came as a rabbi, came as someone who would die as a criminal on the cross. 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:47.220 But after that, after that, when he will rise, then we'll see his true glory. 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.720 And that's what they get a glimpse of now. 00:22:50.379 --> 00:22:51.940 The glory will come, but later. 00:22:52.680 --> 00:22:54.240 And the thing is, that's what matters, right? 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:58.919 So Obama committing suicide, then he's gone, and he can't do anything. 00:22:59.079 --> 00:23:00.099 And so there's no change. 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:03.740 But if Jesus will rise, then it's okay if he dies. 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:06.000 Who cares if Jesus dies? 00:23:06.099 --> 00:23:08.660 Three days later, he'll be back, and he can reign forever, right? 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:12.120 If Jesus comes back, it's okay if he dies. 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:14.620 And so this reassures them. 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:19.279 It reassures them, yes, Jesus can die, and you can die. 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:22.380 There is an end to the hardship. 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.839 There's an end to the suffering. 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:25.599 The glory will come. 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:32.079 Because I think most of us have experienced hardship in some ways, right? 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:35.139 But you need an end point. 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:38.259 If you want to obey Jesus, you need an end point. 00:23:38.379 --> 00:23:42.719 I think the COVID situation here in Hong Kong, the frustrating thing is there's no end point, right? 00:23:43.199 --> 00:23:48.500 If someone just told us, okay, six more months of masks and red tests, and then it's over. 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.799 We can do it. 00:23:50.579 --> 00:23:50.740 Right? 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:53.359 Three more months of quarantine, and then it's over. 00:23:53.359 --> 00:23:56.979 But the thing is that there's just no end inside. 00:23:57.099 --> 00:23:58.199 We don't know when it will end. 00:23:59.819 --> 00:24:01.679 It's the same with following Jesus, right? 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:05.679 You want there to be, okay, I can deny myself. 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:08.719 I can take up my cross, but it should end one day, right? 00:24:09.179 --> 00:24:11.079 And Jesus promises, yeah, it will end. 00:24:11.959 --> 00:24:15.139 Jesus, he went to the cross, but he had an exit strategy. 00:24:15.899 --> 00:24:17.759 He would rise after three days. 00:24:18.439 --> 00:24:19.819 And the same for us. 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.240 Jesus will return. 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:21.720 Right? 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:23.859 No matter what life is like now as a Christian. 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:28.480 I mean, some of us are having it easy, but others of us, life is being pretty tough. 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:30.099 There is an end point. 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:31.400 Jesus will return. 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:34.440 And we have a glimpse of that here. 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:35.940 We see him in his glory. 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:42.079 We see him in a kind of the white, dazzling splendor that you also see in Revelation. 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:44.220 He's going to rise. 00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:45.180 He's going to return. 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:47.920 And so you can do it. 00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:49.519 We can deny ourselves. 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:51.000 Jesus will return. 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:55.240 And so, again, the question is, do we believe it? 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:56.879 Of course, we believe Jesus rose. 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:59.339 We believe Jesus will return. 00:25:01.059 --> 00:25:04.940 But then again, we're often so reluctant to give up our lives, right? 00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:08.339 We are so reluctant to sacrifice. 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:12.379 We focus on money and work and comfort. 00:25:12.699 --> 00:25:14.039 And I can see it in myself. 00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:18.159 And, you know, as if there's no future. 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:20.699 You know, Jesus has stored treasure in heaven. 00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:22.819 And we store up the treasure in HSBC. 00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:23.899 Why? 00:25:24.939 --> 00:25:29.199 Well, kind of, I think somewhere deep down, we're just not sure about the future, right? 00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:31.099 I hope Jesus comes back. 00:25:31.139 --> 00:25:33.099 But just in case not, let me have a good life now. 00:25:33.439 --> 00:25:34.759 Then at least I've had one good life. 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:37.299 That's what deep down we're thinking. 00:25:38.420 --> 00:25:38.579 All right? 00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:42.559 If I want to let go of the world, I need something certain to hold on to. 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:44.619 The certainty of Jesus coming. 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:47.879 But if this is not certain, then I want to hold on to my life now, right? 00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:50.680 That's what's going on inside our hearts. 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:54.900 And that's why Jesus wants to say, no, you can do this. 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:57.079 You can follow me. 00:25:57.079 --> 00:25:59.059 You can give up your life. 00:25:59.699 --> 00:26:04.379 Because you can see absolutely certain, I will return. 00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:06.599 We've already seen the resurrection, right? 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:08.379 Disciples hadn't seen it yet. 00:26:08.439 --> 00:26:09.099 But they saw it. 00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:10.259 They were changed. 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:15.179 Jesus, he will, for us, the resurrection is past. 00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:16.980 His return is still future. 00:26:17.179 --> 00:26:19.579 But, you know, he will come. 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:21.740 And that means it's okay, right? 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:24.059 It's okay to follow Jesus. 00:26:24.379 --> 00:26:26.379 Now, just to say that there's a range of people here. 00:26:26.380 --> 00:26:31.080 For some of us, we are really giving our lives to church, to Jesus. 00:26:32.060 --> 00:26:33.380 But there's others of us. 00:26:33.600 --> 00:26:36.720 And, yeah, our future doesn't seem to make much difference. 00:26:38.060 --> 00:26:39.780 Jesus says, no, you can follow me. 00:26:40.620 --> 00:26:42.900 You know, you need to make that financial decision. 00:26:43.540 --> 00:26:44.120 You're worried. 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.180 Can you take the hit? 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:47.300 Jesus says, yes, you can. 00:26:47.600 --> 00:26:48.540 I'm going to return. 00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:49.920 Things will be fine. 00:26:51.620 --> 00:26:52.720 Sacrificing for the kingdom. 00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:53.440 Don't worry. 00:26:53.780 --> 00:26:54.520 I'll return. 00:26:55.080 --> 00:26:55.800 You'll be fine. 00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:59.000 Risking that friendship to speak the gospel. 00:27:00.020 --> 00:27:00.940 You'll be okay. 00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:02.400 I will return. 00:27:03.060 --> 00:27:03.760 It'll be fine. 00:27:04.840 --> 00:27:06.460 That's Jesus' message today. 00:27:07.580 --> 00:27:08.860 And that's so liberating, right? 00:27:09.840 --> 00:27:12.320 And we, you know, last week it was tough. 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.580 It was demanding. 00:27:13.760 --> 00:27:16.080 But Jesus is assuring us, no, we can do it. 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:16.860 Right? 00:27:17.340 --> 00:27:18.300 There is a future. 00:27:18.520 --> 00:27:19.180 There is a hope. 00:27:19.580 --> 00:27:20.540 There is an end point. 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:23.359 Let's follow him. 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:26.960 Now, I know that it's not always easy. 00:27:28.879 --> 00:27:29.019 Yeah? 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.119 But just remember. 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:35.659 I mean, if you were going to be there, imagine yourself standing before Jesus. 00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:36.500 Right? 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:40.859 When he returns with 200 million angels in the glory of his father. 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:43.319 Well, what will you think then? 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:46.559 You know, when you see those who've tried to save their life losing it forever. 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:51.440 But Jesus says to you, well done, good and faithful servant. 00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:54.019 Enter into the joy of your master. 00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:55.019 Right? 00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:56.640 Then all those things don't matter anymore. 00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:56.839 Right? 00:27:57.680 --> 00:28:00.579 But then you're not going to think, I wish I'd saved more money. 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:02.640 I wish I'd watched more Netflix. 00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:03.320 No. 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:06.060 None of that matters because you're with Jesus. 00:28:07.040 --> 00:28:10.060 And there's eternal, everlasting glory. 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:12.900 Just remember that. 00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:14.640 Next time you find it hard to obey. 00:28:14.780 --> 00:28:16.400 Next time you find it hard to follow Jesus. 00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:18.400 Remember that. 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:20.100 Right? 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:22.200 And then, you know, for the moments we struggle. 00:28:24.020 --> 00:28:26.500 Again, remember, yes, Jesus will return. 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:29.560 But he came first to die. 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:29.820 Right? 00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:33.379 Jesus didn't stay up on the mountain. 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.119 He could have done that. 00:28:34.159 --> 00:28:34.299 Right? 00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:34.879 In his glory. 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:36.279 Sent the disciples down. 00:28:36.839 --> 00:28:38.259 But Jesus came down with them. 00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:41.159 And as they came down, he took the lead. 00:28:41.679 --> 00:28:42.839 And he would lead them to Jerusalem. 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:45.980 In no glory at all. 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:48.119 Go to the cross as a criminal. 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.599 To die for their sin. 00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:52.519 To die for the times that we fail to listen. 00:28:53.439 --> 00:28:55.419 For the times that we've put ourselves first. 00:28:55.419 --> 00:28:57.659 For the times that we haven't trusted him. 00:28:58.159 --> 00:28:59.279 That he will take care of us. 00:28:59.819 --> 00:29:02.359 And knowing that love. 00:29:02.419 --> 00:29:04.039 Yeah, we can follow Jesus. 00:29:04.839 --> 00:29:06.039 So let's pray we would. 00:29:06.139 --> 00:29:08.200 Let's pray that we really believe this. 00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:09.359 Believe who Jesus is. 00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.419 What he has done. 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.539 What he will do. 00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:13.179 So we can follow him. 00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:14.679 Why don't we pray now? 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:23.360 Lord Jesus, we are just so amazed at your glory here. 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:28.180 We believe in our heads who you are. 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:29.759 And yet we don't see it. 00:29:29.840 --> 00:29:31.700 Pray that today's passage is by your spirit. 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:33.299 Would be real in our hearts. 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:35.980 We know you're not here physically. 00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:38.880 You gave us this experience. 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:39.880 Here in the words. 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:41.079 What happened to them. 00:29:41.160 --> 00:29:42.380 So that we could believe you now. 00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:43.259 But pray that we would. 00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:44.900 By your spirit. 00:29:45.900 --> 00:29:47.160 Convince us of who you are. 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:48.880 That we would take your words seriously. 00:29:49.099 --> 00:29:51.000 Convince us that you will return. 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:53.019 So we can do this. 00:29:53.099 --> 00:29:54.019 We can live for you. 00:29:54.460 --> 00:29:56.259 Because we know we'll be with you forever. 00:29:56.420 --> 00:29:57.440 And nothing will be lost. 00:29:58.160 --> 00:29:59.120 Lord, we need that. 00:29:59.119 --> 00:30:01.139 And so speak to us. 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:02.019 Encourage us. 00:30:02.459 --> 00:30:03.379 In Jesus' name. 00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:04.139 Amen.