Friday, February 17, 2012
Mark 9:2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.
JESUS' TRANSFIGURATION PREPARES US FOR HIS PASSION (1)
Jesus' transfiguration prepares us for a proper observance of the Lenten Season in a couple of important ways. First, it reminds us of who He is: The GOD-man. When the Bible says Jesus was transfigured it means His body was transformed from its normal, earthly state into a glorious, heavenly state. When the disciples saw it, they knew it in an instant: This is no mere mortal man standing before us. This is the very Son of GOD!
Why was that important? Remember: Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem where He would suffer death by crucifixion. He knew that when His disciples would see it, they'd be tempted to doubt the truthfulness of His messianic claims: "We were hoping He was the One who would redeem Israel. I guess we made a mistake." On the Mount of Transfiguration Jesus assured them (and that most graphically): "No need to doubt it! I am who I told you I am!"
Does the deity of Jesus hold importance for you and me today? Absolutely. Only a Savior who is GOD and man could function as our Savior. Only so could He do what needed to be done to set things straight between us and God. Sin, you see, isn't the minor flaw many think it is. It's a deadly cancer on the soul, so serious that no one afflicted with it is to able to draw near to God, much less live in His presence in heaven. It was with the seriousness of our sin-sickness in mind that GOD'S SON took the extreme measure to rescue us. Nothing short of becoming one of us, living a holy life in our place, and shedding His blood on the cross as our sin-bearing substitute could bring us peace with our God.
This is what we'll be reminded of during the upcoming Lenten Season. We'll see the gravity of our sin for which Jesus suffered. The awfulness of it all. We'll also see the indescribable love of GOD who volunteered to shed HIS blood for our sake. It may seem strange to hear it said -- "God purchased me to be His own with HIS blood" -- but it's true! This is the heart of the Christian Gospel. "The blood of Christ is such a precious and priceless treasure that no human tongue can describe its value. Indeed, one drop of blood of the innocent Lamb of God would have been sufficient to atone for the sins of the world, yes, not only of one, but thousands of worlds" (Martin Luther).
Praise the Lord!
