Transfiguration!

For Tuesday, January 30, 2024:

Mark 9:7 NLT, During the transfiguration: “A cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.’”

Jesus led Peter, James and John, the Apostles’ “A Team,” up a high mountain for the purpose of being alone. What they were about to witness would have scared most people, and there’s no telling how a crowd might react. But these Apostles had been traveling with Jesus and had witnessed all his miracles. Dare I say that they had grown accustomed to supernatural occuraces?

But even for Jesus, what was about to happen was extraordinary. Jesus was transfigured! His face shown like the sun, and his clothes were dazzling white! He took on the appearance of a heavenly being, which in fact he was! Suddenly Elijah and Moses appeared and started talking with Jesus. Not knowing what else to say, Peter suggested building shelters for their guests, but they wouldn’t be staying that long.

What happened next reminds me of Jesus’ baptism. A cloud overshadowed them all, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” That event removes all doubt as to Jesus’ identity. He’s the Son of God! God said so!

The trio was not to tell anyone about this event until Jesus rises from the dead, which brings up another question. What’s with this “rise from the dead?” They hadn’t seen that before!

So much to learn, and so little time. The disciples learned about God, Jesus and heaven one event at a time. They were living inside the story. We are blessed to have Bibles, the complete Jesus story, that we can carry in one hand!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

God's Son!

For Sunday, April 30, 2023:

Matthew 17:5 NLT, during the Transfiguration: “A bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.’”

The bright cloud is the light of God’s glory, called the shekinah. From the cloud, God clearly identifies Jesus as his Son. What an honor for John, James and Peter to have been present that day and to hear the Lord speak! I’ll bet we all wish we could have been there that day!

Peter, acting impulsively, wanted to build tabernacles, holy shelters, for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. But in a way, God identifying his Son was a rebuke of the plan. The Son of God is far superior to the others and should be set apart in a higher place, both physically and in our thinking. With these words from heaven, God the Father clearly set Jesus above the Law and the Prophets. Jesus is not merely another or even a better lawgiver or prophet. Jesus is God’s only begotten Son, one-third of our triune God!

Spurgeon writes: “God did not make us his children because he needed sons, but because we needed a father.”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Transfigured!

For Wednesday, April 26, 2023:

Matthew 17:2-3 NLT: “As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.”

The brothers John and James along with Peter accompanied Jesus up a high hill to be alone. And when you travel with Jesus, you oftentimes get to witness the unexpected! This time it was the transfiguration, Jesus emitting the light of purity and holiness. His face shone like the sun! They were joined by Elijah and Moses.

Jesus himself was transformed. It was still his face, but it now emitted light so bright that it would have been difficult to look at him. The Greek verb ‘metamorphoo’ implies a transformation, a change in form. We use this word to describe a caterpillar becoming a beautiful butterfly. There’s still only one living thing, but now it’s way different! Transfigured! Some would say, ‘way better!’

Spurgeon writes about this: “Saints long departed still alive; live in their personality; are known by their names; and enjoy near access to Christ.”

Proving once again that a good life-after-this-life awaits us!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Son of God!

For Sunday, June 26, 2022:

Mark 9:7 NLT: “A cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.’”

Critics claim that Jesus never said who he was. But here, God himself clearly claims Jesus as his Son. For mankind’s sake, God identified Jesus twice: once at Jesus’ Baptism, and again at the Transfiguration.

Remember that the Gospels are either eyewitness accounts, or the result of solid investigative reporting. The Gospels are where we learn the details of Jesus’ walk on earth. And if the Lord endorsed Jesus, called him ‘Son’ and said we should listen to him, that’s good enough for me. God’s evidence should be good enough for everyone!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406