Matthew17:1-9— Jesus on the mountain is transfigured
before three of His disciples. This experience with God is transforming. Before
the cross, Resurrection and Ascension, we get a glimpse of the inner, true
nature of the Son of God, Until this time, we saw God’s glory manifested in
Jesus as the wise Men saw in Him a king, In John the Baptist’s confession of
Jesus as the Messiah, and in the miracles of Jesus. Now we see directly the
divine nature of Jesus. This brings us to the uniqueness of Jesus _they saw no
one but Jesus only.” In the light of Jesus’ being the only Son of God, then, we
must confront the pluralism of our day. In many circles Jesus, Mohammed,
Buddha, Confucius are all “sons of God.” The voice from heaven makes Jesus
unique. He is God’s one and only Son.
In the Transfiguration, many questions
go unanswered. How could the holy presence of God come into a human frame? How
do you explain the exceeding brightness of the physical Jesus? How could Moses
and Elijah appear in bodily form? Does God come in a cloud and does God have a
real voice? Perhaps our only reaction
and answer is worship. Like Peter, we do not know what to say. Like the
disciples, we are overcome with awe and adoration. Jesus and His three
disciples go up to pray and worship. The experience results in the worship of
Christ.
Father, You revealed Your Son to the
nations by the guidance of a star. Lead us to Your glory in heaven by the light
of faith. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and
reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever.[2]
[2] Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. St. Louis
[3] Collect for Friday of the week of Epiphany 6, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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