May 6, 2024 – The Dollar Spot Devotions: Glowing for G-d

“Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellingshere, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” ⁶ When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.  As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”  And the disciples asked him, “Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He replied, “Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things;  but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.”   Matthew 17:1-12

In one of the bins of the dollar area in the store are glow products – glow sticks and glow bracelets. My granddaughter loves glow products. Truth be told, most kids like anything that glows. At the roller skating rink, one of the more popular items are glow sticks that the kids can wear around their necks when the lights are turned down low. The same is true at the bowling alley, and anywhere there are kids.

One of the most significant events in the life of Jesus is the Transfiguration event that is recounted in the Gospels.  Some scholars believe this may be a misplaced resurrection appearance – but no matter, the event was significant in the life of Jesus and in the lives of his followers. On this mountain, not only did Jesus glow in a light that was unearthly, he glowed from the affirmation he received from his Father. In both his baptism and now in the Transfiguration the voice of G-d announces “This is my Son, whom I love.” His disciples were charged not to tell anyone, yet it is apparent that the news of this event spread and proved his relationship with the Father. 

Children throughout the Christian church still sing “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” In other words, we are to let the light of Christ shine in our lives through our words and our deeds. Like glow sticks around the necks of children at a skating rink, we are to let the “glow” of Christ shine in our lives no matter where we are.

Pastor Dave