March 2 Sermon – “Bright Light Stories”
Exodus 24:12-18
This scripture has been chosen for this day
because it reminds us of when Jesus went up the mountain and was transfigured
before his disciples. In this scripture reading from Exodus 24:12-18, we read
how Moses went up the mountain and also entered into the cloud of the glory of
the Lord.
Moses has ascended Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments
from God. Moses commissions Aaron and Hur to administer justice while he is on
the mountain.
vv. 16-17 – God’s glory – a bright light so the people
cannot “see” the Lord.
v. 18 – Forty days and forty nights reminds us of Noah and
the flood. It was also forty years that the people were in the wilderness. The
prophet, Elijah was on the mountain for forty days and nights. Jesus was in the
wilderness for forty days and nights. Jesus ascended to heaven forty days after
his resurrection.
Matthew 17:1-9
Our Gospel reading from Matthew 17:1-9 is the
story of when Jesus went up a mountain with some of his disciples and was
transfigured before them. Matthew is showing us that Jesus is like Moses from
the Old Testament because he too, experienced the bright light of God’s glory
on a mountain.
This may have taken place on Mt. Tabor which
is located in central Galilee or Mt. Hermon which is near Caesarea Philipp.
Both mountains provide an incredible view of Galilee.
The gospel writers aren’t trying to show us
that Jesus is divine because Moses and Elijah also are glowing in this story.
The gospel writers are showing that on a hill, Jesus is shining in glory and it
will be on a hill that Jesus will die on a cross. Here, Jesus is shining in
glory and on Good Friday, darkness will fill the land.
We need to hold these two images of Jesus
together – the one that reveals his glory and the one that reveals his
suffering. This will be how he redeems humanity.
[Note: The resources used for these scripture reading commentaries are based on the Everyone series by NT Wright, The Wesley Study Bible, and the “Montreal-Anglican”lectionary commentaries.]
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