Marching Orders for the Journey
Marching Orders for the Journey- Exodus 24:12-18
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9
Dr Lloyd Martyn Jones talks about being ill and not being able to preach at Westminster Chapel in London for six months. In this time he visited other churches and said this about his experience, “ It is a great thing to be a listener. You want something for your soul, you want help. I don’t want a great sermon. I want to feel the presence of God---that I am worshipping Him, and considering something great and glorious.” Banner of Truth, March 2011. That is probably most of our wish as well. We go along as it were through our lives doing what we think we need to be doing and most of life seems rather ordinary. We want our lives to mean something. We want to contribute and find that even in the little things we do in and out every day that these things too have meaning.
Jesus takes three of the disciples up into a high mountain . Peter, James and John were chosen. Moses took up Nadab, Abihu and Aaron in Exodus 24. Here on the mountain Jesus was “transfigured before them.” Matthew 17:2 The glory of the Son of Man was revealed ---“ his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.” Peter says in his letter “ we were eyewitnesses of his majesty” This was a moment of grace. ST Chrysostom says, “ He is transfigured to manifest the glory of the cross, to console Peter and the others in their dread of the Passion and to bring their minds to elevated understanding.” Many of us go on in our work and in our tasks without this. We may even feel abandoned by God and others . We may feel that our labors are without any reward . There is the man who listened for the will of God and constantly asked him ,“Lord, I have done all these things and now what do you want me to do?” But the answer did not come back to him. All of us need encouragement in our labor and moments of grace in the middle of some very difficult circumstances. I remember when serving as a Chaplain after three years in one assignment. I felt rather lonely and disheartened getting ready to leave without any good feelings. Then a Soldier came in as I was packing up my books and papers. He said , “ I wanted you to know how much your counsel last year meant to me when I was going through such a difficult time.” I had not even remembered him or talking to him. It is not easy to feel unappreciated. But that day I was happy to know that here was one who had come back to say thanks…and it meant a great deal to me. All of us need this kind of encouragement. Are there people you and I should be going back to say thanks? I wish there I had done this more in my life taking the time for it, especially to family as many of them are not here now.
As the disciples saw this they then heard the voice of God from the bright cloud that overshadowed them, “ This is my beloved Son , with whom I am well pleased : listen to him.” 17:5 Their reaction was one of awe and fear. “ They fell on their faces and were terrified.” 17:6 This was a holy fear. We need to hear this voice especially when we are tempted to go a wrong direction in our lives, to not heed the voice of God. Awe and fear are good feelings. They remind us of our fallen human nature and our need of direction and a Savior. We cannot do everything by ourselves. We need God . We need His power when things seem hopeless and without direction. Instead of seeking God many of us go to other things. We take a trip or we absent ourselves from the house of God so we will not have to listen to these voices from God. We go off by ourselves because we wish to be alone and not bothered. Peter Barnes a Presbyterian minister from Australia said, “ There are a number of hurts and rebuffs which the Christian should simply forget about, and press on in love. If we are going to respond to every criticism or perceived criticism, we will waste our lives in being bitter and resentful.” Banner of Truth, October 1999. We put ourselves in the place of God neglecting Him and His Word and His Church. We run until we cannot run anymore and thank goodness God calls by His Word and Spirit back to listen to Him again.
This was the experience of the disciples. Jesus “ came and touched them, saying, ‘ Rise, and have no fear.’ And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.” 17:8 We feel the nearness of Jesus when His Word is read and applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We feel the nearness of Jesus as we celebrate His Sacrament of grace in the Holy Communion together. Today some of us may not feel His presence as we said at the beginning ,“ I want to feel the presence of God.” ( Dr. Lloyd Jones) But when two or three are gathered together there Jesus said am I. Whatever we are feeling or going through now He says, “ I am with you always.” 28:20 You do not have to go through this trial or pain alone. Jesus puts His hand on us touching us saying, “ Rise , and have no fear.” In your difficulty and anguish, I am there. For this we can always be very thankful. This world can seem like a lonely and forlorn place as we feel our way ahead making difficult and hard decisions. In God’s presence today we are filled to overflowing and feel His embrace.
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9
Dr Lloyd Martyn Jones talks about being ill and not being able to preach at Westminster Chapel in London for six months. In this time he visited other churches and said this about his experience, “ It is a great thing to be a listener. You want something for your soul, you want help. I don’t want a great sermon. I want to feel the presence of God---that I am worshipping Him, and considering something great and glorious.” Banner of Truth, March 2011. That is probably most of our wish as well. We go along as it were through our lives doing what we think we need to be doing and most of life seems rather ordinary. We want our lives to mean something. We want to contribute and find that even in the little things we do in and out every day that these things too have meaning.
Jesus takes three of the disciples up into a high mountain . Peter, James and John were chosen. Moses took up Nadab, Abihu and Aaron in Exodus 24. Here on the mountain Jesus was “transfigured before them.” Matthew 17:2 The glory of the Son of Man was revealed ---“ his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.” Peter says in his letter “ we were eyewitnesses of his majesty” This was a moment of grace. ST Chrysostom says, “ He is transfigured to manifest the glory of the cross, to console Peter and the others in their dread of the Passion and to bring their minds to elevated understanding.” Many of us go on in our work and in our tasks without this. We may even feel abandoned by God and others . We may feel that our labors are without any reward . There is the man who listened for the will of God and constantly asked him ,“Lord, I have done all these things and now what do you want me to do?” But the answer did not come back to him. All of us need encouragement in our labor and moments of grace in the middle of some very difficult circumstances. I remember when serving as a Chaplain after three years in one assignment. I felt rather lonely and disheartened getting ready to leave without any good feelings. Then a Soldier came in as I was packing up my books and papers. He said , “ I wanted you to know how much your counsel last year meant to me when I was going through such a difficult time.” I had not even remembered him or talking to him. It is not easy to feel unappreciated. But that day I was happy to know that here was one who had come back to say thanks…and it meant a great deal to me. All of us need this kind of encouragement. Are there people you and I should be going back to say thanks? I wish there I had done this more in my life taking the time for it, especially to family as many of them are not here now.
As the disciples saw this they then heard the voice of God from the bright cloud that overshadowed them, “ This is my beloved Son , with whom I am well pleased : listen to him.” 17:5 Their reaction was one of awe and fear. “ They fell on their faces and were terrified.” 17:6 This was a holy fear. We need to hear this voice especially when we are tempted to go a wrong direction in our lives, to not heed the voice of God. Awe and fear are good feelings. They remind us of our fallen human nature and our need of direction and a Savior. We cannot do everything by ourselves. We need God . We need His power when things seem hopeless and without direction. Instead of seeking God many of us go to other things. We take a trip or we absent ourselves from the house of God so we will not have to listen to these voices from God. We go off by ourselves because we wish to be alone and not bothered. Peter Barnes a Presbyterian minister from Australia said, “ There are a number of hurts and rebuffs which the Christian should simply forget about, and press on in love. If we are going to respond to every criticism or perceived criticism, we will waste our lives in being bitter and resentful.” Banner of Truth, October 1999. We put ourselves in the place of God neglecting Him and His Word and His Church. We run until we cannot run anymore and thank goodness God calls by His Word and Spirit back to listen to Him again.
This was the experience of the disciples. Jesus “ came and touched them, saying, ‘ Rise, and have no fear.’ And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.” 17:8 We feel the nearness of Jesus when His Word is read and applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We feel the nearness of Jesus as we celebrate His Sacrament of grace in the Holy Communion together. Today some of us may not feel His presence as we said at the beginning ,“ I want to feel the presence of God.” ( Dr. Lloyd Jones) But when two or three are gathered together there Jesus said am I. Whatever we are feeling or going through now He says, “ I am with you always.” 28:20 You do not have to go through this trial or pain alone. Jesus puts His hand on us touching us saying, “ Rise , and have no fear.” In your difficulty and anguish, I am there. For this we can always be very thankful. This world can seem like a lonely and forlorn place as we feel our way ahead making difficult and hard decisions. In God’s presence today we are filled to overflowing and feel His embrace.
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