Transfiguration Sunday, February 26th, 2017
10:30 am Central Lutheran Informal Worship, Matthew 17:1-9 “Shining Bright”
In the last few weeks, we have examined the beginning of Jesus’ public
ministry, during the season of Epiphany. And now today we jump to near the end of
that ministry in Matthew Chapter 17, with the account of his transfiguration.
And Jesus knowing this, had just made the first of his predictions at the end of
Chapter 6 concerning his coming, suffering, death on Good Friday for our sins and
resurrection on Easter Sunday. Then right after that Jesus took the inner core of his
disciples up a mountain for a time of personal strengthening and wisdom.
Now while there, Matthew tells us he was transfigured in his appearance, so
both his face and clothes shone bright like the sun. And this account reminds us of
how Moses’ face shone after meeting God on Mt. Sinai in Exodus Chapter 34. For
as we come into the presence of our Holy God; we mortal creatures are changed.
And it is this theme of light that we will focus on today. In the Old Testament
light is mentioned often in regards to things way up high, naturally as in Genesis
where God said, “let there be light”, referring to the sun, then the stars later. Also,
light is referred to as fire that separated the Egyptians from the Hebrews after the
Passover and lastly light is used in reference to God, Himself like meeting Moses
up on Mt. Sinai. But in each case the light is external and powerful. However, in
Isaiah Chapter 60, God makes a prophecy signaling a change where it says, “Arise,
shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you… Nations
will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”
Now we hear God promising that a change would come. And the light alludes
to the star that shone and led the Wiseman to baby Jesus with their gifts. And
speaking of Jesus in the New Testament, John Chapter 1 tells us, “the word came
into the world as light that shines in the darkness.” We know that word and light to
be Jesus, but sadly people in the darkness of sin could not see his true identity,
because of the fall.
However; that is not where the light theme ends. For in the epistles like
Ephesians 5, Paul tells us that we are light in the Lord and we are to live as children
of light. Thus we have been reminded that as we give our lives to Jesus, his light
shines in us!
And Jesus in his sermon on the mount in Matthew 5 said as much, “You are
the light of the world… let your light shine before others that they may see your
good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” But sadly many believers do not do
this; instead they prefer to have a private faith and cover their light under a bushel
just like Jesus said.
And many who call themselves Christians as well cover up their light by
keeping quiet when they should speak God’s truth like when people spread
falsehoods or when they could speak for new immigrants and minorities.
Also, we cover up our light when we live in unrepentant sin and see no
problem in selfish and dangerous actions living like all the rest of people apart from
God.
Yet sometimes too, we cover up the light of God by speaking when we
become judgmental instead of loving; for we carry the love of God in us for all
people.
However, as we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we also gladly give
Him rule over our lives. And he sits on the throne of our hearts and minds. Then as
we daily commit to serve Him and deny our own will we are transformed; no longer
seeing the world the same.
Thus to, let Jesus’ light shine through us to people around us; all we have to
do is serve him gladly and let His will reign over us. For we are like pitchers that
hold the water of eternal life people so desperately need to drink from. Then as they
do, their lives will be transformed by faith and they will never thirst again.
In closing then, we proudly claim that Jesus truly is the light that came into
our sin darkened world. And we are His honored servants, given the credit
opportunity to carry His light in us, so that others may come to know God’s great
love for them too. Amen.