Immanuel
Lutheran Church Weekly Devotion
Monday 4 February 2013
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Luke
9:28b-31NRSV Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and
went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the
appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30
Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They
appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to
accomplish at Jerusalem.
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It
is ironic this season of Epiphany - a season of light - is celebrated during winter,
when at least in the Northern Hemisphere it is mostly dark. Epiphany starts
with the magi coming to celebrate the new light which comes into the world -
which no darkness can overcome. The season ends with Jesus shining with the
glory of God, and God saying to Peter, James and John: “This is my Son, my
Chosen; listen to him!”
Jesus
is basking in the glory of God, but there is an ominous foreshadowing going on
here as well. Jesus will go from the mountaintop experience and we will walk
that lonesome valley with Jesus as he sets his face towards Jerusalem. The
prophets Moses and Elijah speak to Jesus of his departure which is to
accomplish in Jerusalem. This is the last Sunday before we celebrate Ash
Wednesday and our journey through Lent. Jesus is recognized by God the Father
and claimed as His Son. On Good Friday, Jesus will wonder where his Father is,
as he dies on the cross. Two mountain top experiences, one glorious, the other
is ignominious, sad and heart wrenching. The disciples, through the transfiguration
as well as at Jesus betrayal and crucifixion, are a rather clueless. Jesus
indeed has taught them, been with them, they have witnessed the signs, and
manifestations of God’s glory through Jesus, but they do not understand what
Jesus will have to go through in Jerusalem or why he will have to suffer and
die.
There
is something about Epiphany - we don’t want it to end. It starts with Jesus
receiving gifts from magi from the east. It ends on the mountaintop full of
light. In between we have witnessed the sign of the water turned to wine at the
wedding feast of Canna. Jesus is welcomed at his hometown synagogue. It starts
well at first but soon becomes ugly. Again, more foreshadowing of what Jesus
will face in Jerusalem. Some of us welcome the light, especially during the
darkness of winter. But there are some people who have embittered hearts who
would rather live in the darkness and shun the light. Jesus comes for both, and
there are times when we are both types of people. At this one last shining
moment when Jesus is with us on the mountain, share the joy of the light, God’s
proclamation to us of Jesus, His chosen one, His Son.
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We
pray: Lord God, only you can turn us away from
the darkness and share the joy of the light of the world - your Son, Jesus.
Forgive us our hardened hearts and help us to see the joy of the light which
comes into our lives - your Son Jesus. In
His Holy Name we pray. Amen.
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