pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Divine Presence

Reading: Matthew 17:1-3

Verse 2: “There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Faith is belief in things unseen, trust in things we cannot “prove.” The concept of faith can be challenging for some. For those rooted in facts and knowledge, faith can be hard to understand. For those rooted in what they can see and touch, faith is intangible, hard to grasp. Faith for the first disciples was built upon life lived with Jesus. For later disciples like us, we read these stories and they build our faith. Willing to take steps of faith, we begin to experience the “proof” of Jesus – an unexplainable peace, a strength that comes from outside of ourselves, an ability to live those who are hard to love, a gift for forgiving the unforgivable…

For the folks that lived during the ministry of Jesus, many chose the knowledge that they had and remained Jewish. Others demanded proofs and signs. Even though they just witnessed Jesus feeding thousands with 7 loaves and a few fish, the Pharisees and Sadducees ask for a sign from Jesus. Sometimes hard hearts shudder eyes.

In today’s passage we read about the ultimate sign. Taking his inner circle only, Jesus goes to a place of solitude. In verses 2 we read, “There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” Jesus reveals the true extent of his divinity. He becomes as close to what he’ll be like in heaven while still remaining in the flesh. To add to the depth of the revelation, he converses with Moses and Elijah, two greats of the faith. What awesome proof. What a powerful witness. The glory of God in Christ is on full display. We can read the story. We can picture the scene. We can do so because we too have brushed up against the holy, because we too have experienced the divine presence in our lives. We can “see” because we believe. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for this glimpse of what will be. In revealing who you are to the disciples, you begin to paint a picture of eternity. There your full glory will be revealed. Lead and guide me until that day. Amen.


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Walk and Listen

Reading: Luke 24: 13-27

Verse 21: “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel”.

As Cleopas and his traveling companion walked along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus they were discussing the recent events in the city. These two were followers of Jesus. As he joins them, they are surprised that their new traveling partner does not appear to know much about what has happened to their Jesus. I live in a community of about 3,000. As I read the weekly newspaper I realize that there are lots of things that go on in town that I had no clue about. On a smaller scale, there are things that go on in my church that I sometimes find out about after the fact. There are some things that I am sure I will never know about. Now, neither of these are on the scale of a crucifixion – to Jesus’ family and followers. But there were certainly people living in and visiting Jerusalem just knew that three more men were punished by the Romans.

The two men walking to Emmaus seem to know a lot about these recent events and seem pretty connected to the other followers of Jesus. The phrases “some of our women” and “our companions” indicate a closeness to the early group of disciples and followers. They also knew the physical details of what all has happened to Jesus. They know the facts. But, as seems to be the case with almost all of Jesus’ followers at this point, they have forgotten both what Jesus himself said would happen over and over as well as what the prophecies say in the scriptures concerning the Messiah. These two, like the rest, are doubting what the women have told them. Because the companions that went to the tomb did not see him, they all question if Jesus really could be alive. Surely, surely, surely if Jesus were alive he would have come and comforted them in their grief and explained all that was going on to erase their confusion. Surely.

Jesus begins this process with Cleopas and friend. Walking along the road to Emmaus he explains all that the scriptures say that has now been fulfilled in Jerusalem. These two men who were hoping that Jesus was the one to redeem Israel come face to face with their redeemer. In grace, Jesus meets them where they are at and ministers to them, providing what they need. He offers the same to you and to me and to all people who seek to walk with him. May we choose to walk with Jesus today, listening to all he has to tell us this day.

Prayer: Father of all, walk with me, whisper into my heart. Fill me with your presence so that I may serve you this day. Amen.