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February 14, 2010

Jesus Alone

Preacher: Rev. Jack Meehan Series: Lectionary Category: Biblical Scripture: Luke 9:28–9:35

The Transfiguration of Our Lord
February 13-14, 2010
Luke 9:28-35

“Jesus Alone”

It’s been an interesting ten days weather-wise. We’ve now got bragging rights that we’ve lived through the heaviest snowfall on record in the Washington, DC area. Snow, snow, and more snow with all the shoveling and digging out that goes with it. And we’re tired of it! Those were some heavy clouds that dumped about three feet of snow on us. Clouds figure into today’s Gospel lesson as we travel up the mountain with Peter, James, and John and witness Jesus’ transfiguration – his appearance and clothing which became dazzling white. The cloud on that mountain top did not bring with it snow, but mystery, awe, and wonder. The disciples see those towering figures of the Old Testament that represent the Law and the Prophets, Moses and Elijah, flanking the transfigured Jesus. They hear the Voice which said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35). And as suddenly as it all happened, it’s over just as quickly. “When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone” (Luke 9:36). How do we grasp and understand this mysterious mountaintop happening? What does it mean for our lives today? After the dazzling appearance faded away, after Moses and Elijah departed, after the cloud was gone and the voice was just a memory, what is left is Jesus alone. On this Transfiguration Sunday, we focus on that image of Jesus alone, and this is the theme for the message today: “Jesus Alone.” May the Lord’s rich blessing rest upon the preaching, the hearing, and the living of his Word, for Jesus’ sake.

The account of Jesus’ transfiguration is found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s Gospels (Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36). It is important to understand that throughout Luke’s Gospel account, Jesus prays before significant events in his ministry. He prays before the heavens open and the Holy Spirit descends upon him at his baptism (Luke 3:21). As the crowds increase, gathering around Jesus to be cured of different diseases, Jesus withdraws to pray (Luke 5:16). Before choosing the twelve disciples Jesus spent the entire night in prayer (Luke 6:12), and here again in the Gospel lesson for today, “Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray” (Luke 8:28). Jesus’ going apart to pray signifies that something important is about to happen. And so it does. As we think about the title for today’s message, “Jesus Alone,” isn’t that what we want and desire in our own prayer life: to be alone with Jesus? Whether we are physically alone, or with others who are also engaged in prayer as Jesus sometimes was, it is that time alone with Jesus that is so critical for our walk of faith.  Scripture does not tell us what Jesus was praying about there on the mountain top. Perhaps it was for strength to carry out the mission given to him by the Father. Perhaps it was for insight and understanding to be given to Peter, James, and John to grasp what Jesus’ transfiguration meant. Whatever it was that Jesus was praying about, we would all do well to follow his example. Jesus is not only our sacrifice for sin, he is also our model of the godly life. Before critical moments in our own lives, withdrawing to be alone with Jesus in prayer is always a good and godly thing to do.

What is it about being alone with Jesus that troubles us? Maybe that closeness is just too much for us, causing us to be afraid that if we’re alone with Jesus he will see through all the masks that we wear and see us for who we really are. Perhaps we’re fearful that if we are alone with Jesus for very long all the excuses that we’ve come up with about why we can’t be alone with him will fall away, and we will be exposed. When all is said and done, what we are afraid of is rejection; that  if we are alone with Jesus he will judge us to be unworthy of his mercy and grace, and reject us. And so much of our life is spent in a frantic state of constant busyness so we won’t have to be alone with Jesus. Facing this fear of being alone with Jesus begins with the truth of what God’s Word tells us. In Matthew’s account of the transfiguration, Jesus meets his terrified disciples and tells them: “Stand up, and do not be fear” (Matt. 17:7). Elsewhere God’s Word tells us this: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:18-19). Jesus would move us from fear to love. Knowing how much he loves us, we are moved by the Holy Spirit at work in us we begin to seek out time alone with Jesus, not as a burden but as a blessing.

Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration will give way to Jesus on Mount Calvary. In both instances, though there are friends close by – Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration; Mary Magdalene, John, and Jesus’ mother on Mount Calvary – but Jesus is very much alone. In the verses preceding today’s Gospel lesson, Jesus clearly tells his disciples what will soon take place: “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (Luke 9:22). The mission the Father has given Jesus to do compels him forward from one mountain to another. And nowhere is that aloneness more real than when he is hanging on the cross, and cries out to his Father: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). Jesus paid the price for our sins – the evil we have done and the good we have failed to do. He tasted the awful bitterness of being rejected by the Father. Because of Jesus’ innocent suffering and death, his aloneness there on the cross of Calvary, we are assured that we will never be alone. Following his resurrection, Jesus himself tells us: “I am with you always, even to the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20).

Transfiguration leads us into the season of Lent, beginning this week on Ash Wednesday. If ever there were an opportune time to be alone with Jesus, it is during the 40 days of Lent. I encourage you daily to seek that alone time with Jesus; spend time with him in his Word and in prayer; establish a quiet time when the noise of the world can be shut out and you can be alone with the Savior, and you will be blessed. May God help us all to do this for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

other sermons in this series

Feb 11

2024

Jesus Only

Preacher: Rev. Jack Meehan Scripture: Mark 9:2–9 Series: Lectionary

Jan 7

2024

Star and Dove

Preacher: Rev. Jack Meehan Scripture: Mark 1:4–11 Series: Lectionary

Dec 31

2023

Depart in Peace

Preacher: Rev. Jack Meehan Scripture: Luke 2:22–40 Series: Lectionary