Lectionary for the Transfiguration.
A cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. From the cloud came a voice that said: ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ Luke 9:34-35
Collect. Let us pray (that we may be transfigured into the likeness of Christ): Almighty Father, whose Son Jesus Christ was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: give us grace to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with him and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory: who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Reading. 2 Corinthians 3:12 to 4:2. Moses holds a unique place in the life and history of the Jewish nation. During his lifetime he was to sole link between God and the people as they journeyed through the wilderness and the Promised Land. He was the great Law giver and it was the Law that was instrumental in guiding the nation in their relationship with God and each other. Here in this passage Paul reminds the Christians in Corinth of the veil which Moses used to hide the brightness of the glory of God which reflected on him after his face to face meetings. Paul uses Moses veil to represent the failure of the Jews to see that Jesus Christ has inaugurated the New Covenant. Centuries before the prophets had declared God would set aside the original Covenant and replace it with one that he would keep on their behalf. “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Jeremiah 31:33.
Now Paul states that through Christ the veil has been removed and as Christians each of them has an insight of God’s glory through all that Jesus has done. It is this glory which is changing them to be more Christlike. This inward change is being displayed by their willingness to live in obedience to God. As Ezekiel had prophesied, God will give to those who accept the New Covenant a heart of flesh to replace their hearts of stone. (Ezekiel 11:19) It is those with soft hearts who live in godly obedience with one another. New Covenant people live in Christ’s way.
For those of us who do not come from a Jewish heritage discussion about the law can seem disconnected and not so important; yet we must not miss the point that Paul is presenting: Belief in Jesus changes us in every way. Jesus gave his all to allow for a new beginning for us and indeed for all creation. Our response can be nothing less than turning our back on the old and accepting the New.
Prayer. All of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. And so, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We go on to give you praise and honour, all the more through Jesus Christ our Lord. Lord we pray that you will touch our hearts again and renew our trust and faith in you. May our life and living honour you and in all things give thanks for the love and power that Jesus gives. May each one of us be a faithful ambassador for the Saviour of the world. Amen.
Reading. Luke 9:28-36. Jesus took with him his most trusted companions as he went up the mountain to pray. It was while in prayer that this scene unfolded. Moses and Elijah are named as talking to the transfigured Jesus and according to Luke they speak about his ‘departure’. Departure is the English word used for “exodus”, used in the Greek. Exodus is a biblical word with deep significance. We know that the Exodus was the journey that took the Israelites from slavery into the freedom of the Promised Land and so this reminds us that their discussion is about the journey that Jesus is preparing to take. The enormity of the cross was to take all creation from the slavery of sin and decay into the freedom of the Kingdom of God. Luke is linking the Glory of Jesus’ transfiguration with the shame and abandonment of the cross. “He was transfigured that he might be disfigured, that we who are disfigured might be transfigured”. As always suffering and glory belong together; indeed they cannot be separated if God’s purposes are to be achieved.
The original Exodus began a new nation for the ten tribes. The Exodus taken through the cross brings into being the Kingdom of God that Jesus announced at the commencement of his earthly ministry. Thus through the cross a new people of God is being formed. The cross then is a pivotal point which will determine the outcome of all that Jesus desired to do. The meeting with the two key figures from Israel’s history combined with the glory of God which enfolded the whole prayer, time brought a moment of great encouragement to Jesus. Although Luke does not use the word “transfigured” this word is used in both Mark and Matthew’s description of this incident. This word has the sense of being changed from the inside out rather than some covering coming upon him. It is a reminder that Jesus is at once both human, relating to the apostles and also divine and so relating to God. This revelation is so profound that it is no wonder Peter “did not know what to say!”
It brought a profound and lasting effect on the apostles who witnessed the transfiguration for years later Peter still held this special time in his memory. (2Peter 1:16ff) For the Apostles and the early church Luke’s emphasis on the command of God to recognise Jesus as God’s Son and to “listen to him” was so important. Grasping Jesus humanity was no issue for the early disciples for they had lived with Jesus on a daily basis, but recognising his divinity would have been more difficult. Today as Christians we recognise Jesus divinity, this is our great tradition. However, recognising his humanity, a humanity which was part of the transfiguration, is more difficult for us. It is the transfiguration which reminds us that Jesus was and still remains both human and divine! Jesus understood and still understands the struggles we face living in a fallen world. Luke’s next recollection of Jesus ministry reminded them and us that the change that the cross began is still not fully complete and like Jesus we need to live in the tension of suffering as well as Glory. The truth does set us free but the realities of daily life also cause us to experience pain. Thanks be to God that the Lord Jesus reigns and the time will come when every pain will be eased and every tear will be wiped away.
Collect. Living Lord, fulfiller of human hopes, on the mountain we see your glory; help us to listen to you, help us to believe you, that whether we are on the heights or in the depths, we shall be at your side now and for ever. Amen.
Prayer, O Lord, who on the holy mount didst reveal to chosen witnesses thy well-beloved Son wonderfully transfigured: mercifully grant unto us such a vision of His divine Majesty that we, being purified and strengthened by thy grace, may be transformed into his likeness, from glory to glory; through the same Jesus Christ thy Son, our Lord. Amen. {Canadian Prayer Book}
Lord Jesus we give you all thanks and praise that we look to you alone for the guidance and the comfort we need for daily living. You are the living Lord and in your hands is the destiny of the whole creation. This Lord gives us the hope that sustains us in the struggles of life. So once more we come to you for that fulfilling grace without which we could not go on. We thank you that your love for us is renewed every day. Out of your fullness we have all received what we need to be your disciples. May all we do reflect our joyful thanks and praise. Amen
Collect. Living Lord, chosen of God, under the shadow of the cross, you are transfigured in glory; help us always to believe, and discern your majesty even in the midst of suffering; this we ask for your sake. Amen.
(Collects as always from; Uniting in Worship.)
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