God Pause for Thursday, 23 February 2017 from The Luther Seminary Matthew 17:1-9

God Pause for Thursday, 23 February 2017 from The Luther Seminary Matthew 17:1-9


Matthew 17:1

 Six days later, Yeshua took Kefa, Ya‘akov and his brother Yochanan and led them up a high mountain privately. 2 As they watched, he began to change form — his face shone like the sun, and his clothing became as white as light. 3 Then they looked and saw Moshe and Eliyahu speaking with him. 4 Kefa said to Yeshua, “It’s good that we’re here, Lord. I’ll put up three shelters if you want — one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them; and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the talmidim heard this, they were so frightened that they fell face down on the ground. 7 But Yeshua came and touched them. “Get up!” he said, “Don’t be afraid.” 8 So they opened their eyes, looked up and saw only Yeshua by himself.

9 As they came down the mountain, Yeshua ordered them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

[Complete Jewish Bible]

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It starts out innocently enough. A stroll up the mountain with Jesus. But then company comes. Jesus is joined by Moses and Elijah. What a sight that must have been! Moses, representing the law; Elijah, representing the prophets; and Jesus, representing the fulfillment of both. I'm sensing a theme in the image of mountains in this week's readings. Moses' face on Mt. Sinai outwardly reflects God's glory. On this mountain, Jesus' face radiates God's glory from within. His divine nature is revealed. Here once again on a mountain God shows up in a cloud that both terrifies and elicits worship. It is on a mountain that God's voice gives authority to the Ten Commandments. It is on a mountain that God's voice gives authority to Jesus' words. "Listen to him," we are told.
We all have mountaintop experiences, but we also experience life's valleys. Isn't it nice to know Jesus meets us in both places?
Father, thank you for being a God of not only mountains, but of valleys as well. Wherever we find ourselves, we thank you that you meet us where we are. Amen.
Laurie Neill, '12
Discipleship Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Fargo, N.D.
Matthew 17:1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.
2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.
3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.
4 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."
5 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.
7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid."
8 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
9 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."[New Revised Standard Version]
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