Beloved: Listen to Him — The Transfiguration's Call

Jesus goes up a mountain and is transfigured. In Jerusalem, following his his arrest, his torture, the Roman soldiers lead Jesus up the Hill Of Golgotha. Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus in his transfiguration. As Jesus hung dying on the cross, there was a criminal on his left and on his right. On that mountain, Jesus' face shone and his clothes became shining white. On the cross, he was stripped naked. On that mountain, the voice from the cloud said, this is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him. And when Jesus had breathed his last and died on that cross, it was a Roman soldier who said, truly, this was the son of God. [01:08:17] (75 seconds)  #TransfigurationMoment

In the original video, the the person is saying, I love Jesus. I don't I love Jesus, but I don't necessarily agree with everything he said. And then the other person in the video pauses that video and says, obviously, you don't love Jesus. If we love Jesus, if we trust him as our lord and savior, we should be, embracing everything that he has said, everything that the gospel writers have recorded for our benefit and blessing and and maturation. Listen to him, our heavenly father instructs Peter in particular and James and John, and we can certainly apply that instruction to ourselves as well. [00:59:39] (49 seconds)  #LoveJesusListen

But this is the god and father of our loving lord Jesus Christ who understands our brokenness, our weakness, our temptations, our shortcomings, our sins, and he loves us so much that he sent his son into the world to die for us and our sinfulness. That's why Jesus is setting his face toward Jerusalem. And so our heavenly father isn't upset with Peter for his interjection. Jesus doesn't seem to be upset. He simply goes to them and says, rise and have no fear. This is our amazing God who loves us, who redeems us, who calls us into relationship with himself. [01:04:26] (57 seconds)  #RedeemedAndLoved

Finally, a proper response to seeing Jesus shining, his face, his clothes dazzling white, to see Moses and and Elijah, to hear this voice from the cloud. Finally, they've adopted an appropriate response to fall on their faces in fear, to be terrified of what they are witnessing. The glory, the presence of God. These two great men of old, the transfiguration of Jesus himself, an appropriate response. Verse seven, but Jesus came and touched them saying, rise and have no fear. Now, in my imagination, it seems like Peter interjecting, Lord, if you want, we can build three tents, etcetera, etcetera, [01:00:37] (60 seconds)  #AweAndReverence

We come before you, oh lord, acknowledging that we cannot control prime ministers or presidents. We can't control even our next door neighbors or our family members. We confess that we have trouble even controlling ourselves, but we thank you that you are in control. Nothing happens that is not permitted by you. We may not understand why, but, Lord, we pray that we would continue to entrust ourselves, our world, our futures into your hands, knowing that you are a god of love, a god who is at work actively bringing about peace and justice, healing and reconciliation between neighbors, between nations, between family members, between all creation and yourself. [00:28:06] (68 seconds)  #TrustGodsSovereignty

This is our lord and savior Jesus Christ, full of love for you, full of grace, full of understanding and sympathy, wanting to draw you deeper and deeper into a relationship with himself to fill you with his holy spirit. And he wants you to listen to him. Listen for his still small voice. See his hand. Feel his presence. Pray for his wisdom and direction. And in doing so, give all the praise and glory to him, the father, the son, and the holy spirit. And be not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of god for salvation for everyone who believes. Amen. [01:09:32] (65 seconds)  #ListenToTheSpirit

God of love, father, son, and holy spirit, we rejoice in you, your goodness, your grace, your mercy, your unfailing love. Lord, we pray that we might continue to grow and mature into the children that you desire us to be in full communion with you and with one another, both in this church family and with our sisters and brothers throughout the world, proclaiming your glory, your love, and the gospel of our salvation for all the world to know. And let all the people say, amen. [01:22:37] (44 seconds)  #ProclaimTheGospel

If you are worshiping with us online, we are delighted to have you with us. But it would be even better if you were here with us in this space so that we could get to know one another. We've got Sunday school and many other opportunities happening here at the church for people of all ages. And so please come and join us, and together, we will be the people of God in this place. [01:29:34] (21 seconds)  #JoinUsInWorship