Tag: Transfiguration

There are a lot of significant Sundays we observe on the church calendar that we don’t give fair due.

Transfiguration is one of them.

He was still speaking 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 17:5 (ESV)

For many it’s a interesting story of Jesus going up a mountain with his besties, appearing brilliantly with Moses and Elijah, and His Father giving Jesus His imprimatur. Peter says some “Peter things,” and they come down.

Of course, all that is true.

But it seems there is so much more going on!

First, of course, is that Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets – which Jesus came to fulfill. They were on the holy “Mountain of God” in their respective times.

The mountain where Jesus was transfigured – considered by some to be Mount Tabor – has much to consider that it was instead Mount Hermon at the northern end of Israel.

Why is that important?

Mount Hermon was in the Bashan area. It was where some considered evil spiritual forces descended to commit some of their rebellion. There was a place there that was called “the Gates of Hades” and is the area where a little prior to today’s reading Peter gave his confession of Jesus and Jesus said “the gates of Hell” would not prevail against the Church.

If this, and not the Mountain of God,” is where this Transfiguration took place, there seems to be a message being telegraphed of cosmic spiritual significance happening.

Jesus is taking the battle to the Enemy! He is letting it be known that He is here to fulfill all that the OT said and conquer all who oppose. This mountain of the Enemy will no longer be a stronghold. Jesus, the beloved son of God, has come and, as a result, we will all be transfigured into His holy ones through faith!

Right before our text Jesus tells his followers they must “take up their cross and follow Him.” There is no doubt this means pain, sacrifice, humiliation, and suffering are a part of a Christian’s life (just as He also tells them of His impending death), but that is sandwiched between Jesus’ “the Gates of Hell will not prevail” and Jesus taking to the top of an Enemy’s mountain to say, in essence, “I’m coming for you!”

No matter what is going on in your life, look to the Transfigured Jesus as evidence that whatever you are facing, Jesus has covered it; has conquered it; has redeemed it! The Enemy is defeated and his time is limited! Rejoice as we look forward to the reality of a life transfigured in Jesus forever!

Bring it, Lord!

“Thank You, Lord Jesus, for conquering the Enemy for us and our salvation. Help us to be bold in our living for You and others, carrying our cross with perseverance of confidence until we are transfigured into our new glorified bodies at Your return. In Your powerful, victorious, resurrected Name do we pray. Amen!”

Scripture

• Exodus 24:12–18
• 1 Kings 19:3–8
• Matthew 17:1–8
• Psalm 121

Today is Transfiguration Sunday when we hear of a literal “mountain-top experience” that had to be far beyond the descriptions we get in today’s and the parallel accounts.

A voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to Him!”

Luke 9:35

In all of the accounts we hear of Peter’s (misguided) suggestion to build three tents; one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.

Also in all three the disciples do not tell anyone of the event for the time being. (Jesus commands this in Matthew and Mark.)

So, Peter seems to want to stay on the mountain and, when he does have to come down, can’t talk about it right away. Hmmm.

Perhaps we have more in common with Peter than we care to admit!

We like to have the “mountain-top experiences” and don’t want to come down from them and we don’t seem to want to share the majesty, glory, beautiful, reality of our life because of Jesus with others.

Ugh!

We have been to the mountain-top through faith in Jesus, God’s Son, and are to “listen to Him,” share Him, and live in that reality.

We are to live the transfigured lives we have been given – a life where we have been forgiven of all our sins, share in the Sacraments of the Lord, have joy, comfort, and power through the Holy Spirit, and the reality of eternal life in God’s presence!

God wants us to realize that reality daily; share it constantly; live it confidently!

Our decent from the ‘mountain’ isn’t so that we are relegated to the valleys as a kind of torture after having been to the Top; it’s to live in the joy we have knowing what is ours in Jesus forever, sharing for others to ascend, and knowing our eternal reality will climb even higher than we can imagine!

We are to live transfigured because we are transfigured! We are share Jesus who transfigures so others can be transfigured!

Let’s “shout it from the mountain-top!”

“Thank You, Jesus, for dying and rising for our forgiveness and everlasting life! Thank You, Holy Spirit, for filling us with peace, joy, power, and love! Thank You, Father, for sending Your Son; help us ‘listen to Him,’ share Him, live in Him! In Jesus’ name; Amen!”

Scriptures

• 1 Corinthians 15:21-34
• Psalm 103:1-13 {Confession & Absolution}

Transfiguration Sunday is an interesting celebration. We harken back to Moses on Mt. Sinai, speaking face to face with God and Jesus being transfigured before Peter, James, and John, with Moses and Elijah on a mountain top.

[Jesus] was transfigured before them, and His clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.

Mark 9:2b-3

When Moses was in God’s presence, he radiated God’s glory. People couldn’t help but notice the difference that enveloped him. – And they didn’t like it! They didn’t want to hear from Moses – at least not directly. They feared the change. They tried to put off the messenger.

Peter, James, and John didn’t have that same reaction. Rathen than be put-off, they were confounded and confused. They didn’t know how to react to this transformation and or understand what it really meant.

So here’s a question: with whom do we identify? Are we like the Israelites, who fear the glory of God and only somewhat reluctantly follow Him out of fear? Are we like the three apostles who are happy to do something but really no idea what or why? Or are we like Moses, who went to commune with God, listen to Him, and carry His message, His radiance, His glory to those around – regardless of how they may take it?

The fact is, through faith in Jesus we are joined to Him; the One who was transfigured; the One who transfigures us! We are changed, forever! We have His Message of Salvation! We have His glory! We shine with His radiance!

Others should see that! It should have an impact on all those we encounter! We have been saved by the Light of the world, and we are to shine like starts with Him; always!

May we be bold in that calling, and always point to Jesus through it all, so that His saving glory may show the Way to a people still in darkness!

Shine on and through us, O Lord!

Scriptures

• Exodus 34:29-35
• Mark 9:2-0