Leading Ahead – Reflection on God’s Hiddeness and Revelation
We will observe Transfiguration Sunday, February 26, three days before Ash Wednesday. Many know the story well: Immediately after the announcement of his imminent suffering and death, and his call to take up their cross and follow him, Jesus takes three of his disciples, Peter, James and John, up to a high mountain where he is transfigured in glory, in front of them. A voice from heaven matches the voice at Jesus' baptism declaring him God's beloved Son (see Matt. 3:13-17).
But for the moment, let us focus in on one phenomenon of this narrative. The cloud. God often came, comes and will come in a cloud. Biblical history bears witness to the phenomena of God coming to God’s people in a cloud. “Clouds” are used throughout the Old and New Testament as a matter of evidence witnessing to the fearful and awesome presence of the all powerful “Almighty God”.
Exodus 13:21-22 - The LORD went in front of them in a pillar
of cloud by day, to lead them along the way,…the pillar of
cloud by day…left its place in front of the people.”
In the Old Testament they were physically visible clouds, full of power (lightning and earth shaking thunder) and fearful authority.
Exodus 24:15-16 – “Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud.”
When Moses received the ten commandments of the covenant from God, the evidence of God’s presence was the cloud, and again, the “devouring fire” that was associated with that cloud, God’s presence in the cloud.
However, there were times in the Old Testament where the presence of God in the cloud was a blessing to the people of God. When all things were in order in their lives and their worship was sincere and faithful in love; when God is being truly honored from the heart of obedient servants (and not just from the lips), he is well pleased. We hear it in 2 Chronicles 5:13-14: “…the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.”
“Now, come Jesus’ Transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-9: “…while he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid."
What a wondrous moment to experience Jesus’ glory, God’s glory and voice in the space of that cloud, in the company of Peter, James and John, and Moses and Elijah, along with Jesus.
Why don’t we can’t experience that cloud? Why doesn’t God reveal God’s self in a cloud? Yet, God does. God does reveal God’s self in a cloud in our days. We are that cloud.
The writer of Hebrews recounts the stories of faith of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. Also, Rahab the prostitute, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel (Heb. 11). Then in Hebrews 12: 1-2, the writer encourages us by saying: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses …let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith…”
The early church had this “great cloud of witnesses,” as do we. The early church is a part of our great cloud of witnesses. By extension, we are the great cloud of witnesses for our current and next generation. We are not called to be perfect, but are called to live by grace through faith, as Hebrews 11 notes, that it is “By faith…” that each did what they did and received glory and acclamation.
They, like us, looked to the one who would perfect the faith to which we clung. We are all a great cloud of witnesses to the glory and grace of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Jesus declares, Acts 1:8, “…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Let us go out as the presence of God and share the gospel.
Amen.
Pastor Kent
Reading Ahead
Sundays’ Readings
Feb 5 – Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 58:1-9a [9b-12]; Psalm 112:1-9; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 [13-16]; Matthew 5:13-20
Feb 12 – Sixth Sunday after Epiphany Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 119:1-8; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Matthew 5:21-37
Feb 19 – Seventh Sunday after Epiphany Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18; Psalm 119:33-40; 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23; Matthew 5:38-48
Feb 26 – Transfiguration of Our Lord [Last Sunday after Epiphany] Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 2 or Psalm 99; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9