Jesus Only

Matthew 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

People today are having a hard time seeing the Lord. There's too much going on, too much competition and too many people and things clamoring for attention. The Inner Circle in this story finally got to the place where they saw no man, except Jesus. How did this come about?

1. Elevation – vs. 1 "And after six days, Jesus...bringeth them up..."
This is a picture of salvation because:
a. After six days, they were entering into His rest. (they even slept) see the Luke account
b. He raised them up to sit together in heavenly places.
c. He brought them up, they didn't go up by themselves.

2. Sanctification – vs. 1 "...apart..." He took them OUT OF THE WORLD!
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

3. Transfiguration – vs. 2 "...and was transfigured..."
Their perception of Jesus CHANGED! They saw him in a different light!
To the world, he was despised and rejected; to them, he was beautiful!
To the world, the OT Tabernacle was ugly with badgers skins on the outside, but on the inside, it was decorated with gold and embroidered works and scarlet and blue and purple.... You'll never see Jesus only until you see him like He really is!!!

4. Association – vs. 3 "there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him."
A major obstacle to people seeing Jesus only is the people they associate with. After spending some time with Jesus and HIS friends, they didn't see their friends anymore!! So who is Jesus' friends?
John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

5. Exhilaration – vs. "...Lord, it is good for us to be here..."
You'll never see the Lord if you're always wanting to be somewhere else!!
Psalms 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

6. Motivation – vs. 4 "... let us make here three tabernacles.."
a. To Work – building three tabernacles would require some serious effort!
b. To Witness – the tabernacles would be a constant reminder of the experience
c. To Worship – they were prepared to do some serious worshipping!!

7. Illumination – vs. 5 "...a bright cloud overshadowed them..."
They received illumination concerning:
a. His Person – confirmation that Jesus was exactly who He had said he was!
b. His Pleasure – they learned that God was only pleased with what Jesus did
c. His Proclamations – they realized that what Jesus said was the Word of God!

8. Humiliation – vs. 6 "...they fell on their face..."
Pride hinders the blessings of God
Pride hinders your joy in Jesus
Pride blinds us to His true being.
Pride robs us of the delight we can experience


9. Realization - vs. 6 "...and were sore afraid."
They realized that this wasn't just one of the guys. This wasn't just a religion.
This wasn't just somebody's idea of how to do things.
This was GOD in the flesh!
This was God's way and God's plan.

When they realized all of that, they didn't see anybody else!!