Farewell to Farewell

based on 2 Kings 2:1-12

The Transfiguration of Our Lord

February 26 & March 2, 2003

Pastor Richard Mau

Immanuel Lutheran – Des Plaines, IL

 

Today’s Scripture:    

Psalm 50:1-6    2 Kings 2:1-12 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2  Mark 9:2-9

 

Prayer:  Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  (Psalm 19:14, adapted)

 

Dear Friends in Christ:

 

            “See you soon!” we say as a dear one departs.  Our hopes are always to see our loved ones again.  That wish was expressed at the end of each episode of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans as they rode off singing, “Happy Trails to You, until we meet again.”  And, how many times did we struggle at leaving time with young children who were having such a good time visiting?  We comforted them with, “We’ll come back again.”

 

            The central message in all three of our readings today is God and that he wants all of his dear children to want to be with him again.  In these passages he gives us a glimpse of what his glory is, the glory he has in store for each one of us.  In the first account of Elijah being taken up in a whirlwind by the chariots and horses of God, we see God’s power and glory revealed.  When God called Elijah up to Mt. Horeb he spoke to Elijah not in a violent wind but in a whisper to demonstrate how gentle he speaks to his people in love.  Today he takes Elijah up in a whirlwind to demonstrate his power and his glory in the flaming horses and chariots.

 

            Jesus’ transfiguration happens so subtly.  Quietly and suddenly he reveals himself in radiant glory with Elijah and Moses, the greatest of the prophets, at his side.  Then God the Father speaks, announcing that Jesus’ life on earth with his upcoming suffering and death are a fitting and accepted sacrifice, complete payment for the sins of all people.  God will further demonstrate acceptance of that sacrifice when Jesus raises from the dead on Easter morning.  To help symbolize that we put the Alleluia’s away this Sunday, not to be used during Lent, to be brought out again on Easter Sunday.  “Alleluia!” “Praise God,” we sing so confidently and joyfully both today and then.  “Alleluia!”  It is the one word repeated in Revelation each time we see the angels, the prophets and apostles, and all of the saints singing to God’s glory in eternity.  It is the closest word to heaven we have in our language.

 

            After Elijah is taken up, Elisha does what you and I do.  He grieves as shown by his tearing his clothes.  Even though he knew the Lord was taking Elijah to his eternal home, he did not want to see Elijah taken from him.  After Jesus is captured and is in the tomb, the disciples grieve.  They did not want their Lord taken from them, especially in the way it happened.  During Lent, we grieve also knowing we are the cause of Jesus’ suffering and death.  We grieve because of our sin.  In that grieving is repentance.  Repentance is coming to our Lord, openly confessing our sins, wanting to change from our sinful ways, and in faith laying those sins before God knowing that even as we confess them he has already forgiven them in Jesus.

 

            Death is a constant reminder of sin.  Death is also a constant reminder of God’s great love for us.  We are overcome with the pain of being separated from a loved one.  We grieve that separation many times in anticipation of that moment as we witness the sufferings of those close to us.  We are also comforted as those with faith confidently look to that last moment knowing that at that moment God is going to take them to be with him.

 

            Today we have the account of Elijah being taken directly to heaven as evidence that God does gather his faithful in his glory, power and splendor at this life’s end.  Today we have the account of Jesus’ transfiguration as evidence of God’s glory that will be revealed when we are joined eternally in heaven.  Today we have the faithful witness of Elisha and Peter, James and John recorded as witness to these glorious things that will be revealed to each of us on that day when Jesus takes us to our heavenly home.  Today we have Jesus’ resurrection from the grave, overcoming sin, death, and Satan’s powers as evidence of the power of God to resurrect our lowly bodies too.  The glory of these Not just those of us here, but all of the faithful who have gone before and those yet to come.

 

Amen.

 

 

“And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  Amen.  [Philippians 4:7]

 

 

Contact Us	Immanuel Lutheran Church	Home	Recent Sermons	Immanuel Lutheran School
	The E-Messenger		This Week @ Immanuel