[Propertalk] Feb. 14 sermon pointers - Luke 9 - Part 3

[Joe Parrish]

I used to be a SCUBA diver, and one of the simplest things I learned when I was a diver was that the things you can know about the ocean from the surface are only a fraction of what there is to know about the ocean. You could be a sailor and live your whole life at sea; you could know every coastline, island and current; but if you never stick your head below the surface with a face mask on, you know very little about the ocean. If you do stick your head down with a mask on, you'll still know very little, but you will know a lot more about how much there is to know. There is an awful lot of reality down there that you simply can't see without passing through the veil of the ocean surface.

http://www.laughingbird.net/ComingWeeks.html

["Glimpses of Reality"]

Nathan Nettleton, 2001
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Now, in Luke's story, this event-usually called the 'transfiguration'-has a particular purpose. It shows the disciples, those who are about to join Jesus in his pilgrimage to Jerusalem, that their journey shall not be in vain. Yes, there will be very difficult times. There will be misunderstanding and suffering, there will be the fracturing of the community of disciples, and there will even be torture and death. But the transfiguration assures them that for all this, God will not abandon them. God will be as present and active in all of this as he is in the human Christ they see before them. His glory may be hidden, but it is real and present nevertheless. 

http://www.laughingbird.net/ComingWeeks.html

["The Pilgrimage of Prayer"]

Garry Deverell, 2003
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All of us were created in the image of God, and in Jesus Christ we have seen what that potential looks like fulfilled and on fire with the glory of God. The connection I mentioned earlier between the transfiguration story and the resurrection stories is written into this Lenten journey. On this last Sunday before the journey begins, we hear this story, and when the journey ends, we will be celebrating the resurrection. In between, the journey of transformation takes us by way of the cross. Those who would realise their potential and achieve their destiny with the transfigured and risen Christ, must walk with him the way of the cross. For only there, only as we are put to death with him, will the powers of death lose their hold over us, and leave us free to be raised with Christ, that we might with him shine with the blazing glory of God.

http://www.laughingbird.net/ComingWeeks.html

["Glorious Potential"]

Nathan Nettleton, 2007
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Peter clearly doesn't understand; perhaps he thinks he is witnessing a super Feast of Tabernacles ("dwellings", v. 33) - a time when the whole city was brightly illuminated. The "cloud" (v. 34) is a symbol of God's presence; the words from it recall Jesus' baptism, and add "listen to him!" (v. 35). 

http://montreal.anglican.org/comments/cepfll.shtml

Chris Haslam, 2010 
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Verse 30: "Two men": There are two similar appearances:

-at the Resurrection, in 24:4: "While they [the women who had come from Galilee] were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them" 

-after the Ascension, in Acts 1:10: "While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them". 

http://montreal.anglican.org/comments/cepflm.shtml

Chris Haslam, 2010 
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