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| Jesus Transfiguration courtesy photobucket. |
Edited
from Rev. Carol Henley’s sermon at Calvary
Episcopal Church, Pittsburg, PA
(Due to technical difficulties, although I was present at my church today, I could not hear the sermon by Pastor Jerry. I offer this edited substitute on the Same subject.)
(Due to technical difficulties, although I was present at my church today, I could not hear the sermon by Pastor Jerry. I offer this edited substitute on the Same subject.)
Matthew
17: 1-9 Behold, a bright cloud
overshadowed them: and a voice out of the cloud, which said, “This is my
beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” And when the disciples heard it, they
fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
And
Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
It’s all about change! That’s
the kind of world we live in today. It seems, at times, that there is nothing
we can count on to stay constant.
All of a sudden Jesus’ clothes turned a dazzling white and two prophets, long since departed this life, appeared with Jesus and Jesus was talking to them.
The disciples were terrified at what they were seeing—something so unexpected. They could only fall on their faces and worship in awe and fear.
The disciples then had to get
up and move on. They had to come down from the mountain.
Having seen Jesus transfigured and getting the message, beyond a shadow of doubt, that Jesus is the Son of God, they were to move forward, empowered, and not to try to return to the past.
Having seen Jesus transfigured and getting the message, beyond a shadow of doubt, that Jesus is the Son of God, they were to move forward, empowered, and not to try to return to the past.
That may be all well and good,
but we also experience those times when God seems to be absent from us at
particularly painful, transforming moments.
When Jesus was dying on the cross, he cried out, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ Then he died--alone.
When Jesus was dying on the cross, he cried out, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ Then he died--alone.
Three days later, he rose from
the dead. He conquered death. What
greater transforming moment of empowerment could there possibly be?
Jesus appeared upon another
mountain top on the day of His ascension.
In a powerful transforming moment; As he arose into heaven, an angel appeared and spoke these words of comfort; “This same Jesus that you see going up into heaven shall return in like manner and thus will you be with Him forever.”
God is with us in all of the
transforming moments in our lives, whatever they may be. And through those
moments the Holy Spirit is present to strengthen and empower us as we travel on
our journey of faith.
Amen
6 comments:
We must become as little children - hard when we're told all our lives to grow up, but easier to do when we understand who we are to grow closer to and to be like. Transfiguration - always a great message :)
Thanks, Hazel!
God is with us in all of the transforming moments in our lives - a beautiful truth we can rely on Hazel. And thank God that He is!!
Great point. Because of His power in our lives to transform, we are being transformed... sometimes quickly, but all of us eventually! Wonderful thoughts to start the week. Thanks, Hazel.
Amazing that God said he was pleased with Jesus before he had done a single thing in ministry. And he used the same expression at the end of his ministry. I think God is pleased with me positionally before I do single action in His name. I am His son and he is pleased...
Such wise and life changing words. We can't look back and forget that God is with us right now, even if we don't feel Him.
What an encouraging word. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the reminder amd encouragement. Yes, I love to be transformed by God for his glory:)
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