Concordia Lutheran Church
Sunday of the Transfiguration, January 24, 2010
HE touched…them
† IN HIS NAME †
May the knowledge that comes from God’s authoritative word reveal to you the benevolence of God the Father, shown to you in the life of Jesus Christ
Walking with God
As we have worshipped God this morning, the hymns and songs we have sung have taken very different approaches to looking at the dynamic of our being in the presence of God. We have travelled from the deep desire expressed in Shine Jesus Shine, where we plead for His presence and for Him to deliver us and pour out His mercy; to the realization that it is time to humbly bow and recognize His holiness; to the awesome power that of the great hymn HOLY HOLY HOLY, which leaves us nearly breathless as we consider His glory. We have done this with intent…
For which way is proper, to walk almost casually with Christ through life, as we acknowledge our need for Him to lift our spirits and fire up our passion? Or is it right that we humbly and quietly rejoice, almost intimately in His presence? Or should we just be in awe – and so aware of His incredible holiness that we, with the people of Israel at Mount Sinai, and Isaiah, and the apostle John, tremble as we realize that we are sinners in the hands of an angry God?
Peter will help us consider these things, as we watch him interact with Jesus, on the mountain, and perhaps we will realize that the question of how we act, in the presence of God, in all His glory, is not the right question.
A Normal Day?
It’s a normal day in the Palestinian countryside. The disciples are walking with Jesus, and as seems to be a common practice, Jesus takes three of the disciples up a mountain alone, leaving nine to continue proclaiming that God does indeed reign.
I can imagine their trip – John and James, those competitive brothers trying to find who can ascend the more difficult path, and Peter, well being Peter. Probably saying things like, “hey Jesus – let’s try “that mountain,”” or, ”hey are you going to teach us how to move mountains today? I mean, you did say that if we had the faith of a mustard seed we could toss these mountains into the sea… can we try that – we won’t tell the other guys!”
Eventually they would reach the top of this high mountain, and perhaps a little out of breath, they gasp and wonder what is next…
And the glory of Christ is revealed in a way that requires a new word to describe it. He is transformed, He is transfigured to the point that even His dirty, dusty robes shine with white light. And incredibly, two of the greatest men in Israel’s history, long since departed this world to enter God’s rest, appear.
Peter springs into action, wanting to take charge, to organize the living arrangements, making plans without knowing how long they were going to stay there. If it had been today, he probably would have been on his cell phone to his wife Linda, asking her to plan and cook the huge dinner that was going to happen with all of Israel that night!
I think sometimes we get such attitudes. We have to be busy in the presence of God, we have to be doing something. We want Him here, so we can do something, something incredible, or even just something like making sure He can rest. We get so busy with our lives, and the ministry, that we rarely take a moment to stop and listen to God! Or to simply rest in His glory.
The Awe strikes
I love how scripture indicates what’s next. “He was still speaking when – BEHOLD,”. I picture this great big, huge cloud, ringed in gold, approaching from behind Peter as he is getting more and more animated… and then BOOOM – the voice blasts in a deep power-filled voice – THIS IS MY BELOVED SON – PETER BE QUIET ALREADY AND LISTEN TO HIM!!!!
The three disciples then do their best imitation of dirt, except their trembling fear sends ripples like earthquakes through the ground around them. The Father’s holiness, seen in Christ visibly, is now heard and their reaction is – o wait - this is the glory of God and we are….the sons of thunder, and Peter the man who constantly suffers from foot in mouth disorder. The kind of terror that is expressed as we realize we are sinners, we don’t deserve to be in the presence of God, what we deserve is His judgment.
There are some who would indicate that it is this mode – of near paralyzing awe and fear, that is the proper attitude to being found in the presence of God. And there is very often in my life, a need to take this kind of time – to realize that it is not all about serving and doing and working, but to look around at creation and listen to the God who created it. To realize His glory, and to contemplate the great glory of God, and to just be in awe… and to tremble when we consider that we are in His presence. TO grasp the concept of God’s holiness, and glory and power and might. And to realize that we are but sinners – but sinners in need of Him!
Solemn Reverence or Joyfilled Celebration
For generations, the people of God swing between what appears to be two extreme polarities – the polarity of complete solemn reverence at the majesty of God, and the deep desire for His presence which lifts us and empowers us and instills in us a joy to the point where we want to dance.
I think this question, more than what instruments are played, or what kind of music – hymns, psalms or spiritual songs, is what underlies the discussions about worship. Are we to be like Peter – so inspired by God’s presence that we rush to accomplish things, or do we quietly, reverentially and humbly prostrate ourselves in awe?
Or is that the wrong question entirely?
He Kindles Them
Even as the Father interrupted Peter’s grandious plans for the Hilton at the mountain top, the Son, our Lord Jesus will interrupt their trembling and terror filled reaction to the Father’s heavenly voice.
Our scriptures say that Jesus came over and touched them. He touched them and said, Rise and have no fear. He touched them.
Touch is a word I have to unpack for you – because it makes a incredible different to understand. The word is not just the word for contact – it’s not just a friendly handshake or a bearhug given to a deacon – just to see him react! The word means to kindle, to enlighten, to gentle touch and place, so that life reacts. Think of building a fire from scratch, using a flint and tinder, and gently placing the sticks on the smoldering starter brush or paper to bring it to flame – and then to a roaring fire. To quicken the small glow into a raging inferno…
The touch of Jesus the Messiah, our Lord and Deliverer, the Son of God, that brings us from fear based in realizing we are sinners in the presence of God. The gentle guiding touch that calls us to rise, and be not terrified, the voice we have been advised to listen to, by none other than the Creator of all!
Being in God’s presence is not so much about our reaction – but His work, His touch, His kindling our hearts and lives as we listen to Him, and grasp what He is telling us. I love how the early church father Clement of Rome said it
So that from this it is clear, that one alone, true, good, just, in the image and likeness of the Father, His Son Jesus, the Word of God, is our Instructor; to whom God hath entrusted us, as an affectionate father commits his children to a worthy tutor, expressly charging us, “This is my beloved Son: hear Him.“260 The divine Instructor is trustworthy, adorned as He is with three of the fairest ornament”—knowledge, benevolence, and authority of utterance;—with knowledge, for He is the paternal wisdom: “All Wisdom is from the Lord, and with Him for evermore;”—with authority of utterance, for He is God and Creator: “For all things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made;”261 —and with benevolence, for He alone gave Himself a sacrifice for us: “For the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep;”262 and He has so given it.
The reaction to being in God’s presence will come – don’t worry about it. Just listen…and know..
…. So listen to the Son!
Your sins are forgiven
Take and eat, take and drink
And embrace his benevolence
So when the Son says, RISE and do not be afraid, rise and rejoice!
So when the Son says you sins are forgiven, listen and know it is true!
When the Son has said, Take and Eat, take and drink – and it is my promise to forgive and heal and restore you, come and do just that…
When the Son says, go and make disciples, but know that I will be with you, even to the end of the age, listen, and abide with Him!
Listen to the Son, whom with the Father is well pleased, for He has touched you, and made you whole.
And may the peace of God our Father, the peace that is beyond any grasp to understand, may that peace establish and guard our hearts and minds, secure in Jesus.
AMEN?
AMEN!
