We get a sense of the powerful yet personal nature of God in Matthew 17. Jesus “took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves (17:1, NASB).” On the mountain Jesus’ “face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him (2-3).
What would you do if you were the disciples? Suddenly this Jesus they had been walking and talking with—who they had eaten meals with—is transfigured before their eyes. Then before you can finish speaking, this bright cloud appears over you “and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him (5)!’”
The disciples fell on their faces and are terrified (6). They have seen and heard the power of God. “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).” It was an overwhelming moment.
Yet the grace and compassion of God the Father comes through. Even though the power of God is evident in Jesus, the next thing He did was touch them and reassure them: “Get up, and do not be afraid (7).” It is such a caring action to gently touch someone who is scared and tell them it will be okay.
God has the power to move mountains (Matthew 17:20). “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him (Mark 4:41)?” He created the heavens and the earth and he created you. The God of the universe cares deeply for you. He gently touches you and tells you not to be afraid, everything will be okay.
140 Character Christian 