February 19, 2023 – Transfiguration Sunday

“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 dwellings here, 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!” 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.”  Matthew 17:1-9

In his baptism, the voice booms down from above Jesus saying “This is my Son, the Beloved. With you I am well pleased.” Now in the Transfiguration the voice adds this caveat:  “listen to him”. What was G-d saying? G-d was reminding the disciples that to truly understand Jesus, they need to do more paying attention, listening, understanding and seeing. The message then is transported to us today, so that we can hear again this teaching — that we need to stop pretending that we know it all, or stop thinking that there is nothing else Jesus can teach us, and find some time in our busy lives to LISTEN to Jesus.

Our lives are a journey – I have said it time and time again. Many of the people in the bible whom we encounter are on a journey. When Elijah was transported on his fiery ride Elisha would pick up the mantle to continue the ministry he began. Paul was on a journey to Damascus when his life was turned upside down – when his eyes were temporarily veiled. We also will find our minds are veiled sometimes to fully understanding Jesus. Yet we should not stop letting the light of Christ shine through us to those who are still in the dark – even if we ourselves are still struggling in the journey. 

In this Transfiguration moment we come to the mountain top with Jesus where through this event, it is confirmed to us that Jesus is who the voice says he is – but Jesus and his disciples do not stay on top of the mountain.  Jesus leads them back down to the people where the journey continues – where he passes the mantle of ministry along to his disciples – so they learn to continue his ministry.

Take some time to listen to Jesus – don’t wait for the next disaster to take you to a mountain top of fear. Find time to listen to Jesus – the one who tramped all of those miles with his disciples, getting dusty and footsore, never giving up on them – and let your relationship with him take you to a mountain top of understanding, mercy, grace, and love.

Pastor Dave

February 18, 2023 — “Easy to Deal With”

“Up to this point they listened to him, but then they shouted, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” And while they were shouting, throwing off their cloaks, and tossing dust into the air, the tribune directed that he was to be brought into the barracks, and ordered him to be examined by flogging, to find out the reason for this outcry against him. But when they had tied him up with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who is uncondemned?” Acts 22:22-25

“Paul’s opportunity to reason with the hostile crowd wanting to kill him was over as soon as he said the word, “Gentile”! They had accused him of taking a Gentile into the Temple — which was untrue. His mention of the word was all they needed to come unhinged and revert to their previous efforts to try to kill him (Acts 21:35-36). The removal of the crowd’s coats likely indicated they were preparing to stone Paul. Paul had presided over the coats and execution of Stephen not far from this location years earlier.* How would Paul survive this furious mob who wanted him dead? God used Roman rule — Rome’s soldiers and her legal system — to get Paul to Rome and keep his ministry to Gentiles flourishing. The LORD is the God of the impossible who works in the lives of people who love him and are willing to do his will!” (heartlight website; What Jesus Did!)

How would others define you: “Easy to deal with”, or “Difficult to deal with?” You do not have to give your answer to me or to your spouse, or partner, etc. Perhaps you know yourself well enough that you already know the answer. No matter where you go, you will encounter people of both kinds. And, most likely, if you have the choice between two people to wait on you at the coffee shop, and one is easy to deal with the other is not easy to deal with, you most likely will pick the first person in which to give your order – because we all would rather deal with the person who is kind and considerate, rather than the one who is abrupt and cold.

Are you aware of how you come across to others? Do you know you are angry all the time, or negative, or cheery, or positive? Does it cross your mind that how you are feeling at the moment will come out in your responses and interactions with others?

Jesus did say “Blessed are the Meek” (the Greek word is “Praeis”). The “meek”, the powerless are those who find a balance between kindness and being a door mat. You see, being easy to deal with does not mean you are always a door mat. You can be kind, easy going, and considerate and still stand up for your rights as a person, and as a Christian.

Let us pray: Dear G-d, I do believe you are the G-d of the impossible. You are Creator and Sustainer of all that exists. Though I am sometimes weak give me the faith to endure. Amen.

Pastor Dave