Reading: Luke
9:28-36
This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday. This is the Sunday
that we remember Jesus revealing His glory to Peter, James, and John. He took
them up on a mountain, and while they were there Moses and Elijah appeared to
speak with Jesus and His appearance changed to shine with His divine glory.
One of the subtle differences in Luke’s account of this event
is in v. 31. It says that Moses and Elijah spoke with Jesus about His “departure.”
That word in Greek is exodus. Remember
that in the Old Testament God used Moses to lead the people of Israel out of
slavery in Egypt – the Exodus – through the final plague – the death of the first-born.
Jesus is preparing to head to the cross, now, and the Sunday
after Transfiguration we will enter the season of Lent in which we prepare to
observe Jesus’ crucifixion and, of course, His resurrection. The death of the
first-born Son of God leads His people out of slavery to sin and death.
Lord Jesus, You are
the first-born who dies so that Your people would be free from sin and death.
Thank You for Your exodus because it is there that You lead us through death to
resurrection. We know, as Peter did, that it is good to rest in Your gracious
presence, but we ask that You would forgive us for not carrying the good news
of Your salvation out into the world. Please give us Your Holy Spirit to
empower us to share Your glory with our neighbors so that we and they may
follow You in Your exodus which won our forgiveness and eternal life. In Your
name we pray. Amen.
Comments