Just as we would love to get away to enjoy a beautiful surrounding, so should we feel like this when we have the chance to get away with God to spend time in his presence.About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. - Luke 9:28-31
What Changes us? Prayer changes us. Jesus had gone away from the crowds and the other disciples, but he took 3 of them with him. He went up on a mountain to pray. The first thing that jumps out at me from this scripture is that Jesus took himself away from the everyday, busy things to pray. He removed himself even from those that he spent time with, his disciples. It is a reminder for us today, that if we want to see somethings change, we are going to have to remove ourselves from some things and set ourselves aside to pray.
The second thing is Jesus went up on the mountain. While this may be only the telling of a location, it gives us some spiritual insight. Jesus moved upward to pray. You and I must move ourselves in an "upward" position before we can begin to pray. That means my mind, my actions, my focus must all move closer to God, upward. Then it states, he prayed.This point reminds us that we cannot begin to pray until we make some adjustments in our thinking if we want to see a change. I must make an adjustment in what I am seeking if I want to receive from God.
When Jesus was praying, it says the appearance of his face changed. This part of scripture is know as the transfiguration. Jesus was changed and Moses and Elijah appeared speaking with Jesus.The spiritual significance of this scripture is important for us to grasp. You and I can expect to see a change in our "faces" when we draw closer to God in prayer. Prayer takes us into the presence of God. There is no way for us to be in his presence, without reflecting his glory.
The question is what changes us? Prayer has a way of changing us. We move from "us" focus to "God" focus.We must take this steps as set out in scripture, we draw away for a time with God, we then move upward in our thinking and our actions which means we have to make a shifting in what we do. Then when we pray, it draws us into the presence of God.Today, Lord change us through prayer. Help us in our time of talking to you, to reflect more of your glory.
