from one degree of glory to another -- part 2

The Word for today:
Psalms 127, 128, 129

mark this: ascription, Psalms 127, 128, 129
A Song of Ascents. (NIV, ESV);
A Song of Degrees. (KJV)

Note: This is part 2 of a 3-part article concerning Psalms 120-134, known as the Songs of Ascents (or Degrees). Part 1 was published in this space two days ago.

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If you want to see a picture of Jesus as he is today--Jesus in glory--here it is:

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him... when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." (Matthew 17:1-3, 5)

Neat, huh? There's Jesus! There's Moses and Elijah! Then we hear the voice of God, telling us to "Listen to him"-- to Jesus.

Because while Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets, Jesus is the fulfillment:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."

God's voice is telling us that Jesus doesn't represent the Law and the Prophets. The Law and the Prophets represent him!

Way cool!  (That's just what Peter thought, so he wanted to put up some tents and stay there!)--
And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." (Matthew 17:4)

But let's not just read about it. Let's go up the Mount of Transfiguration ourselves.

When the people of Israel traveled to Jerusalem for the feast days, they sang their way up the mountainside approaches to the city. The songs they sang are preserved for us in Psalms 120 to 134. The NIV Bible labels each of these a "Song of Ascents." The KJV Bible calls them "Songs of Degrees."

By degrees--one step after another--you are ascending your very own Mount of Transfiguration. Step by step, we are going up the "hill" with Jesus...

(We will conclude this article tomorrow.)

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