Yesterday the Church remembered the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mt. Tabor, ten miles southwest of the Sea of Galilee. In that event Jesus’ appearance was transformed into radiant light and witnessed by Peter, James and John. Christians may wonder why this event is important enough to mention, especially just before Lent.
Millennia ago God revealed Himself to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whose progeny became the Children of Israel. During the Exodus from enslavement in Egypt, God accompanied them in their desert wanderings through the Pillar of Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night, which guided and assured them that He was with them.
Years after conquering of the Promised Land, God told King David his son Solomon would build a temple in Jerusalem. He promised to be with them there in the Temple Holy of Holies where His Light and Glory, known as Shekinah, would remind the people of the twin pillars and that He was still with them.
God’s Shekinah remained until the Israelites followed pagan gods and were defeated by the Babylonians who destroyed the Temple in 587 BC. Ezekiel the Prophet lamented this, especially when he saw the Shekinah Glory of God leave the Temple (Ezekiel 10-11).
But God’s Glory and Light returned. Centuries later on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus was transformed, revealed as the Light of the World. Christ’s glorious resurrection showed that God was again with His people. Christians note this event each year because it took place just before Jesus entered Jerusalem to give His life as a sacrifice for the sins of all the world.
Jesus will always be the Light of the World. When God said, “Let there be light,”He created the power of the universe and all the elements that give life on earth. The glory and power of God are all wrapped up in the humble carpenter, Rabbi Jesus of Nazareth whom we worship because He is the Son of God, Savior of all believers.
Rev. Bob Tasler
www.bobtasler.com
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