Saturday, February 17, 2007
Luke 9:33 "Lord, it is good for us to be here!"
IT IS GOOD FOR US TO BE HERE!
We understand from Luke that Peter "did not know what he was saying." He and James and John had just witnessed a spectacular sight -- that of Jesus being transfigured before their very eyes. As Mark records, "His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them." And as they watched, they saw Moses and Elijah standing with Jesus, speaking with Him of His impending death. Then, as a bright cloud enveloped them, the Father spoke His benediction: "This is my beloved Son. Hear Him!"
Peter was overcome with the glory of it all, and blabbered on about building three tabernacles there on the hill for Jesus and Moses and Elijah.
It certainly is good for us to be here, seeing once more our Savior revealing His true glory as God. We need that reminder all the more as we make the transition from the season of Epiphany to Lent this coming week. Here during the days now past we have seen Jesus, the Son of Mary, revealed also as the very Son of God Himself, the One come to pay for the sins of the world. And here, during the days ahead, we will once again see that very God Man give that perfect life into death on the cross, that we and the whole world might be redeemed from sin, death and the power of the devil.
Tis good, Lord, to be here,
Thy glory fills the night;
Thy face and garments, like the sun,
Shine with unborrowed light.
Tis good, Lord, to be here.
Yet we may not remain;
But since Thou bidst us leave the mount,
Come with us to the plain.
(TLH 135:1, 5)
