READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l On Transfiguration Sunday, we recount a special event in Christ’s life. May we be enlightened about who Jesus is, and worship Him as our Lord and Saviour.
There are divine mysteries — sacred and profound things — which we can never fully understand. God is not obligated to explain everything to us. After all, we are finite human beings and can never fully fathom the ways and doings of Almighty God. However, this does not stop us from trusting and worshipping God. The secret things belong to God … but the things revealed belong to us … that we may follow. (Deut. 29:29) God knows the secret things that are beyond our grasp. In God’s time, perhaps we too can discover. We are accountable for the things that God reveals and allows us to know.
St John of Damascus described God as infinite and incomprehensible: “All that is comprehensible about Him is His infinity and incomprehensibility. God is above all existing things, nay even above existence itself.” When we think about God in this manner, we recognise that there are many perplexities and mysteries in life that we cannot grasp until we meet at Jesus’ feet. But, this does not prevent us from trusting God and worshipping Him.
A divine event occurred on this holy mountain. Some things are known from old testament scriptural references. The appearance of Jesus’ face changed and shone like the sun, just as Moses’ face shone in the presence of God. Jesus’ clothes became dazzling white. This is similar to Daniel’s description of the glory of divine and heavenly beings. (Dan 7:9, 13, 14; 12:3) The cloud coming and overshadowing them is also associated with God’s presence and glory. As in the old testament, the voice of God spoke from the cloud. (Ex. 19:9) All these indicate that Jesus was not just a human Messiah, but a divine being. The account of Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah, also showed that Jesus is neither a reincarnation of Moses nor Elijah. He is distinct from them.
The transfiguration event was indeed a divine mystery. The disciples wrongly felt honoured, proud and privileged to be present and wanted to control and commemorate the event for their own selfish agendas. But, the proper response would have been to worship with awesome fear and trembling. Jesus was endorsed as the divine son of God; the Chosen One in whom God delights. (Isa. 42:1) The disciples needed to learn that following Jesus meant denying themselves and carrying their cross. Many years later, the apostle Peter described the transfiguration as showing Jesus in His majesty. Jesus is the Messiah and Saviour and we are simply to worship Him in awe and wonder.
The Holy Communion is likewise a divine mystery. There are secret profound things beyond our grasp and comprehension. Through the Holy Communion we commune with God and the saints. Jesus is present with us through the elements of bread and wine, and divinely ministers his miracles, healing, power, assurance and comfort upon us.
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Relate a divine mystery that you or your friend had experienced.
- What biblical theology can enlighten you with regard to this event?
- What do you think God is teaching you from this?
