As we observe the Last Sunday in this year’s Season of Epiphany, we are doing so as the Pandemic transitions to an Endemic, at least in most of the United States, and as Eastern Europe erupts into war. As is so often the case, each time we hear a familiar story from Scripture, the context in which we placed when encountering it serves to unlock new insights into the text and points to deeper meanings we didn’t recognize previously.
Jesus is standing on the mountain top, often thought to be the same place in which the rebellious angels stood as they came down from Heaven. The account follows soon after Jesus’ words about how he was going to contend with the evil powers of the world and that the gates of Hell could not impede what he intended. On the mountaintop, as Jesus, revealed in glory, speaks with Moses and Elijah, they speak of what he was soon to accomplish in Jerusalem; the defeat of Death itself and restoration of the original purpose of Creation.
Jesus came so that we could have life; even in the midst of war and plague. I’ve always known and believed that, but now, as we are faced with tension and fear all around, his words and his actions give me hope that I didn’t understand how much I needed. Perhaps that’s the same for you as well.
Thank you for this inspiration, along with its inspiring edification. Certainly you are an instrument of the Spirit of Truth, who Christ said would lead us into all truth–the Advocate who “will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
Every time you make a connection between parts of scripture and our present life, I am further edified, and my faith and Christian resolve made stronger–by the grace of Christ “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
Envisioning today the transfiguration, among all its other significance, it seemed to me to reflect Jesus’ humility, in that he stood in his radiant glory talking with Elijah and Moses–his own servants–about what he was going to accomplish. How very intriguing, as surely he did not need counsel from them. Even this one perspective (among many) invites more than one “thing” to consider–about time, perhaps, and about Christ’s relationship to us and to those who went before, and about the Spirit’s ever-unfolding teaching…
Thank you, as always, for your service to the Lord and to us, his sheep.
God bless you in your work.
Leila
thank you – this is comforting, in uncertain times. In addition, the snowdrops in your picture (also in my yard) are a great reminder of hope.