Good Morning Friends,
Transfiguration Sunday was about three weeks ago, but it is the center piece of today’s scripture again. We continue a period of contemplation on the journey to the cross…the sacrifice for our salvation in preparation for a change to occur in us. You see the metamorphous continues and so today we focus on the process a little more in preparation for understanding the implication of Christ’s resurrection on our lives now and of the promises that are to bring us comfort in troubling times. But there is tension between our inner experience and our outward public presence as we experience this scripture. Our passing of the peace is with elbows and waves. So today we seek insight into the grace given to us to choose. What
Will We Fear Or Not Fear?
Scripture: Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
Genesis 12:1-4a (NRSV)
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John 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 dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Matthew 17:1-9 (NRSV)
Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
2 Timothy 1:8b-10 (NRSV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Proverbs 9:10 (NRSV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
John 14:27 (NRSV)
Message: We fear because God can be angered. We fear because God will judge everyone. There is an interesting tension in the hope of a mountain top experience that has the potential to be fearful. But Jesus instructs us to see through the fear into a different reality. Thomas Merton, renowned Trappist monk and author, observed that “we are living in a world that is absolutely transparent, and God is shining through it all the time.” That is the central truth of the “Transfiguration” as the scripture reinforces who Jesus is and what his mission was and is. C.S. Lewis described the transfiguration as a ‘thin place’, a place of intimate communion and sensing of God’s presence, and, in contrast, what it will ultimately take to bring about the Reign of God…the cross. Together, these dynamics look forward to the day when all things are made new not just on the mountaintop but in the valley as well. That is the core of God’s promise for us. And this is a promise based on the reputation and character of our God who give us the choice to be loved. It follows that a promise of God has got to be valuable, for it comes from someone who is both faithful and true. there is a fulfillment of the promises given to Abraham in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. You see when God speaks to Abram there is a sevenfold promise offered. First, God promises to make a great nation through Abram and his descendants. Second, God will give Abram a special blessing. Third, God will grow Abram’s reputation and name. Fourth, God will give Abram the power to be a blessing to others. Fifth, that God will bless those who bless him. Sixth, that the ones who curse him will be cursed. And Seventh that in him all the people of the earth will be blessed. The connection between promises and visions is found in other Bible stories. For example, Moses was given a promise and a task at the burning bush. And many years after God gave the promise to Abram and Moses, God, in His great love, gave the promise to a young girl named Mary who was called blessed because God has given her a special part in His plan. And God remembers His promise to Abraham all those many, many years ago every time we use our blessings to bless others.
And So, we too are on the journey. On our climb up, Jesus prays into us as we are half-waking, half-sleeping and awakens in us a new insight. On our way down in the face of death God takes away our fear so we might live. It is here that in our hearts and minds we too are to see Jesus in a fuller light, we too are to awaken to what is uplifting, inspiring, life-changing, exhilarating, and illuminating. And that is, I think, what Peter, James and John began to learn as they went on this journey with Jesus. Friends, we are to join in the transfiguration for our role today is to continue to transform the world. That is what Transfiguration is all about. When we do this, we are in the Father’s will and the fear of life turns to joy.
Pray we realize that fear of God is the one that removes all others. Pray we realize that God is in control. Pray we realize that when we come down from the mountain, we must face the struggle of our life. Pray we be transfigured lives in a disfigured world. Pray we realize that we cannot stay on the mountaintop but must come down to serve. Pray we fear no evil for God is with us. Pray we see a new vision… one of the glory of the cross and the new creation. Pray we realize that the truth of Transfiguration is that God is to shine through us to transform the world not just in the thin places but everywhere. Pray we take refuge in God. Pray our prayers awaken us to the joy of God shining through us. Pray we receive a blessing of being honored by God and in turn bless others. Pray we get to know God and live with the divine presence. Pray we receive Jesus and become a special part of God’s eternal plan. Pray we celebrate the fulfilment of God’s promises of Jesus. Pray we turn our thoughts to the value of the promise of the living God. Pray we see part of the promises fulfilled in each of us in the peace of Christ’s love.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 