Luke 9:28–43a, Psalm 99, and 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
What has been the most significant change in your life? By far, the biggest change in my life was when I had the dream of becoming a pastor. Since then, there have been significant and small episodes, but I spent my time studying at a seminary, serving in the military, and then working as a pastor. I cannot explain my life without God in this journey. Has your life changed before and now after believing in Jesus?
Today, Jesus takes his disciples up the mountain to pray. And in verse 29, Luke writes: “As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.” The fact that his face changed is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, but is missing from the Gospel of Mark. Rather than simply saying his face changed, adding the Greek expression eidos emphasizes an apparent change in the face and entire body. A noticeable change occurred when he prayed.
In elementary school, there were many Bible Conference Movements in my hometown. I often followed my mother. I felt like the faces of the church members who gathered to learn the Bible and pray were like angels. Also, towards the end of the conference, the church gave us rice cakes. It’s a pleasant memory for me. A life that brings us closer to God through the Word and prayer is blessed. Our face changes when we confess Jesus as the Christ and live a life of faith. Why is that so? Because our lives are changing. We can let go of our competitive spirit and control our desires to exceed what is necessary. What do we start with? Verse 35 contains the answer. “A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”” Yes. It is listening to and following the words of Jesus. It is something that we do by faith. This is what God commanded us. It is simple. This is what we all know very well. All we have to do is believe and follow Jesus’ words.
Second, if we have faith, we become free. This is verse 17 of 2 Corinthians. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” God gives us faith and shows us a new path to salvation. Through Jesus, the Creator saves and forgives us. And God is creating the highways of Zion for us in our lives. This is a high-speed and convenient route, like a highway. Therefore, we are invited to go beyond the religious life bound by the law symbolized by Moses. Paul continues to emphasize: It explains that you are not bound by laws that will disappear like the Veil. A life controlled by the Law is tough. More than 613 Laws weighed down the Jews in the past. They had to follow the law or face a penalty. There were even many harsh provisions for low-income people who worked daily to earn their living expenses. However, God fulfills that law through Jesus. And then he destroys it. The Creator does not allow people to become slaves of the law. God shows us how to enjoy freedom as a child of light. We don’t have to be nervous about whether we might have broken the law. This freedom is God’s gift to us. We have received this through Jesus Christ. Through this way of life, we enjoy freedom from everywhere the Spirit of the Lord is. Jesus is the origin of light and life. Through him, we can cast off the veil of misunderstanding and inconvenience and turn from death to life. After the era of the Law, we can now enjoy freedom through the power of the gospel.
Finally, through Transfiguration, we can become new people. We can build a new life. This is verse 18 of Corinthians. “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” We believed in the gospel and were set free. And we become a witness of the new covenant. Salvation is no longer limited to one class or race but extends to everyone. The gospel does not discriminate against people. It grants everyone, whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, the same opportunity for salvation. It’s up to us whether we take that chance or not. And it is our responsibility to encourage our neighbors to take advantage of that opportunity. It is as if we, who were sent to this earth first, raise our children with faith.
Paul described this glory as the glory of the Lord and said that we will remove the veil and see clearly. Just as Moses reflected the glory of the Lord when he took off the veil before the Lord, when we take off the veil, which is a spiritual obstacle, we reflect the glory of the Lord with a face that is not covered. Those who have joy in their religious life display the glory of the Lord. Last week, two members went to the condo across from the church to invite them to the Pancake Tuesday event that will be held this Tuesday. A member of our church spoke to me with great excitement and encouragement. We are delighted to invite people from the region like this. Although not a Christian, one of the residents was thrilled to be asked by our members from the church. In this way, we live in the power of God every day, consciously or unconsciously. We are experiencing new life and spreading God’s love. We are so grateful that our church is used in this ministry. Let us all become new people who magnify the glory of Christ. The Holy Spirit will renew us daily. Let’s praise God who gives us the strength to live a new life. Amen.