Thursday, January 16, 2003
Thursday, January 16, 2003
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!"
Thus we come to our text for the day. Jesus and three of his disciples had gone to a mountain
to
pray. The weary disciples had fallen asleep. As Jesus prayed, though, his countenance and
even the robe he was wearing began to glow until it was a dazzling white. And two men,
Moses
the law-giver and Elijah the prophet, suddenly appeared and were talking with him. Waking
from
their sleep the disciples beheld Christ's glory and Peter blurted out, "Master, it is well that we
are
here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." As he said
this, a cloud came and overshadowed them. The disciples were afraid as they entered the
cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!"
This is God's word to us this day concerning Jesus: "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to
him!" Listen to him! That is the great need at the heart of all humanity--to listen to the words of
Christ.
(Matthew 17.5
NRSV)
First, God communicated through a people--the people of Israel. The people of Israel gave the
world a sacred document--the Hebrew Bible. But still humanity didn't get it. So God went one
step farther. In an act of supreme communication, God invaded space and time in the person
of
Jesus of Nazareth. John put it this way, "The Word became flesh and dwelled among us."
Christ
is the Word of God made human. That is always the best way to make a point, isn't it?
Surround
it with flesh.
Dear God, may I do a better job of listening to you today. Amen.
