Monday, December 31, 2012 The Transfiguration

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Monday, December 31, 2012       The Transfiguration

Page 143-144         Matthew 17:1-13; Mark9:2-13; Luke 9:28-38

The ultimate reality for the children of God is captured in the eloquent prose of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8, which concludes with the affirmation that “nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39b). There is however a lesser reality; often we feel separated from God. To help us see the ultimate reality of God’s presence, the Bible sometimes uses an apocalyptic literary style. Apocalypse means revelation, and this literary style is a method of pulling back the curtain, so that we can see the behind the scenes action of God. The account of the transfiguration of Jesus is an example of this literary style.

The account parallels Moses’ assent to a mountain top to encounter God (Exodus 24), which reveals that as Moses led the exodus of God’s people out of oppression and slavery, Jesus is leading the second exodus; God’s people are being set free from slavery to sin and death. Both mountain top encounters occurred after a period of six days, both Moses and Jesus had their appearance changed and both heard God speak from a cloud.

When Moses and Elijah appear in the vision, the pulled back curtain reveals the continuity of God acting through the Old Testament Law and Prophets to fulfill His mission to save humankind. When Jesus is left standing alone, we see that Jesus is now the fulfillment of all of God’s saving actions. When Jesus walked up the mountain, his appearance was that of an ordinary man. When Jesus “was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light,” (Matthew 17:2) the pulled back curtain reveals that “though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave” (Philippians 2:6-7). When God spoke, affirming again as He did at Jesus’ baptism that Jesus was His dearly loved Son, who brings Him great joy, He adds a declaratory statement, “Listen to him” (Matthew 17:5).

Familiarity breeds contempt. Perhaps that explains how Peter could have followed his confession of faith in Caesarea Philippi by taking Jesus aside to reprimand him for saying he would be crucified in Jerusalem. Now Peter has heard God command obedience to Jesus. Is there any wonder why the disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground? (Matthew 17:6)

Most of the time God keeps the curtain pulled closed, because we couldn’t stand it otherwise. Even so, the writer of Hebrews calls to never forget to “give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe;  for indeed our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28b-29).

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

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The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Tuesday, January 01, 2013          My Disciples Could Not Heal       

Page 144-145         Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43a