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We will become like what we behold.
Greg Beale observes: “God has made humans to reflect him, but if they do not commit themselves to him, they will not reflect him but something else. . . .
We either reflect the Creator or something in creation.”
In other words, it’s in our nature to bear the image of something.
If not God, then idols.
If not the Creator, then the creation.
The Old Testament persistently shows us God’s people turning to idols and becoming like those idols.
When Israel bows down to the golden calf at Mount Sinai, God calls them
), like a stubborn cow.
They had become like the idol they beheld.
When we worship false gods, we become like them.
Our worship of money makes us greedy and stingy.
Our worship of power makes us harsh and demanding.
Our worship of approval makes us anxious and fearful.
Our worship of success makes us busy and restless.
The more we avert our gaze from the true God and chase these idols, the more ungodly we become.
Do you see this in your own life?
What false gods do you find yourself chasing?
How do you see yourself becoming like them instead of like Christ?
The idea that we become like what we behold is not only true in terms of parenting, but in many different areas of life.
The more we study someone, the more we listen to someone, the more we watch someone—whether it's in sports or entertainment or politics or work—the more we begin to emulate them.
Listen to Paul in
Platt, David.
Exalting Jesus in Matthew (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) .
B&H Publishing Group.
Kindle Edition.
Platt, David.
Exalting Jesus in Matthew (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) .
B&H Publishing Group.
Kindle Edition.
Platt, David.
Exalting Jesus in Matthew (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) .
B&H Publishing Group.
Kindle Edition.
The more we behold Christ, the more we become like Him.
Platt, David.
Exalting Jesus in Matthew (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) .
B&H Publishing Group.
Kindle Edition.
The more we fix our attention and our affection on Him, the more our lives begin to resemble His.
We don't become divine like Jesus, but we do become like Him in the sense of being conformed to His character, love, and life.
This is the process of sanctification; this is the Christian life.
Platt, David.
Exalting Jesus in Matthew (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) .
B&H Publishing Group.
Kindle Edition.
Behold the divine glory of the Son.
Moses (the Law) had reflected divine glory.
Elijah (the Prophets) had proclaimed divine glory.
Jesus (the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets) now reveals divine glory.
He radiates the splendor of God.
He unveils the presence of God.
He embodies the pleasure of God.
He speaks the Word of God.
zHe is the prophet promised by Moses.
The Father used Moses to deliver his people from slavery.
The Father sent Jesus to deliver his people from sin. zHe is the messenger preceded by Elijah.
John the Baptist’s ministry of restoration was accomplished through his suffering and death.
Jesus’ ministry of redemption would be accomplished through his suffering and death.
The cross of Christ must come before the crown of Christ.
zBehold the patient power of the Son.
Jesus endures our unbelief.
Jesus meets our need.
Jesus enables our ministry.
zBehold the willing sacrifice of the Son.
zBehold the certain victory of the Son.
zBehold the humble authority of the Son.
Jesus is greater than the temple, yet he still pays the tax.
Jesus is sovereign over the sea, yet he graciously stoops for our salvation.
How shall we respond?
zLet us look to his worth.
zLet us listen to his Word.
zLet us live for his renown.
Let’s proclaim the One we praise.
Let’s embrace suffering as we follow our Savior.
Let’s live as responsible citizens of this kingdom for the eventual coming of his kingdom.
zLet us long for his return.
“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”
As I read this passage I was reminded of an excerpt from Max Lucado’s book: It’s Not About Me. “The moon models our role.
What does the moon do?
She generates no light… Apart from the sun, the moon is nothing more than a pitch-black, pockmarked rock.
But properly positioned, the moon beams… The moon reflects the greater light.
And she’s happy to do so..! The moon is at peace in her place.
And because she is, soft light touches a dark earth.
What would happen if we accepted our place as Son reflectors?” Wouldn’t it be great if all believers were genuinely “Son reflectors?”
We can be if we will walk in fellowship with the Lord.
Let’s take a few moments this morning to discuss the observations in the text as we consider the thought: We will become what we behold.
The Relationship
We're going to see five different portraits of Jesus in this chapter.
Unpacking the first portrait will require the most time, and then we'll move through the remaining four more quickly.
First, we need to behold the divine glory of the Son.
The word "transformed" in verse 2 is from the same word that Paul uses in to describe how we are "transformed" into the image of Christ.
This word refers to a change of form.
As we are transformed into the image of Christ, we begin to take on a new form.
The life of Christ begins to transform the way we think, feel, believe, act, and worship.
If that's what being transformed means for us, what then does it mean for Jesus to be transformed?
Jesus is on a mountain alongside two men of God from the Old Testament: Moses and Elijah.
Recognizing the significance of Moses and Elijah helps us understand this passage.
Moses represented the law of God, for God had met with His people in the book of Exodus to give them His law.
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