Transfiguration Sunday
February 14, 2010
Exodus 34:29-35 * Psalm 99 * 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 * Luke 9:28-43
29 When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord. 30 So when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses’ face, they were afraid to come near him.
31 But Moses called out to them and asked Aaron and all the leaders of the community to come over, and he talked with them. 32 Then all the people of Israel approached him, and Moses gave them all the instructions the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses finished speaking with them, he covered his face with a veil. 34 But whenever he went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the Lord, he would remove the veil until he came out again. Then he would give the people whatever instructions the Lord had given him, 35 and the people of Israel would see the radiant glow of his face. So he would put the veil over his face until he returned to speak with the Lord.
This Sunday we complete the season of Epiphany — this season that speaks to the mission of Jesus and of the mission of the church. We celebrate the Transfiguration of Jesus this Sunday. A similar transfiguration happened in the Old Testament after Moses met with the Lord on Mt. Sinai. I see to things in this passage. One because Moses had spent so much time with the Lord, his countenance was changed. That’s how it should be with us. When we spend time with the Lord, there should be evidence of our time spent. We are doing some intentional things this year at our church as we enter the next season of the church year, the season of Lent. (More about that next week.) The time season of Lent is a season of preparation for Resurrection Sunday. It is our desire to see lives changed and transformed, because all of us have encountered the Lord. I love spending time with the Lord. This should come as no surprise, that I really enjoying singing and playing my praise to Him.
A second thing that I see, is that to those on the outside looking in, we may appear strange. Also, our likeness (the glow and transformation) may be difficult for them. They may even be afraid to approach us — like the people of Moses’ day. Moses had a word from the Lord and he gave it to the people. He had spent time with the Lord — he had been changed — he had been transformed. As we finish up this season of Epiphany, I encourage you to spend time with the Lord — let Him transform you into a new person. Blessings….
