⁷ Jesus came up, touched them, and said, “Get up; don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 17:7 CSB)

There is so much scripture that seeks to reassure us, pointing us toward a better times and providing assurance. God does not want us beaten down and giving up. He desires us to be conquerors, overcomers, and steadfast in our faith.

He told his disciples after witnessing His transfiguration, when they had fallen on their faces, “Get up; don’t be afraid”. They had just glimpsed heaven and their Lord changed, I am sure it was an incredible and fearful sight. But why fear something so glorious?

Probably because in that moment they realized just how far from that image they truly were. Scripture says we are but dirty rags in the light of heaven. I am sure that these men felt far worse than dirty rags. In that moment the gulf between heaven and earth and the truth of Jesus’ message became crystal clear. They knew there was nothing they could do to help them span that gap and they were still trying to understand what would really happen to Jesus.

The gap is great between us and heaven, but Jesus has become the bridge that turns us from dirty rags into glistening white robes. So, Get up; don’t be afraid, Jesus has done the work. Ours is to accept this great gift and do something with it.