#myblackhistory Begins In Seeing Our Real Glory Series

#MyBlackHistory Begins in Seeing Our Real Glory

We step away from the Old Testament text this week as we return to the gospel story of Jesus’ Transfiguration. Last week, we talked about our ongoing transformation. But here, it isn’t about us, but it is about Jesus. Some might ask what is our role on Transfiguration Sunday during Black History Month?

Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)

9:28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.

9:29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.

9:30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him.

9:31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

9:32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.

9:33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" -- not knowing what he said.

9:34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud.

9:35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!"

9:36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

9:37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him.

9:38 Just then a man from the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child.

9:39 Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him.

9:40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not."

9:41 Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here."

9:42 While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.

9:43a And all were astounded at the greatness of God.

We pray to the glorified Christ. We bow before the transcendent God. We invite the elusive Spirit to fill us with power and with love, so that we can represent this glorious God in our living each day.

But Transfiguration is not about our work, but the work that was done before us. Some ask who this event was for, this mountain-top experience. One view is that it was for Jesus, to get him ready for his departure, as Luke puts it in verse 31 of our text. At the same time, however, the voice that comes from the cloud is obviously for the disciples, who were trembling in fear on the ground.

At Jesus’ baptism the voice said, “You are my beloved, with you I am well pleased.” Here the voice says, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him” (9:35).

The voice was telling them, and us, to listen to Jesus. He will get you through the difficult days ahead. We are here on the brink of the season of Lent, a strenuous journey for any who take it seriously.

In this mountain-top moment, the offer of the companion is being made, and then he is revealed as capable, as worthy, as glorified, and able.

So, at the Heart of The Transfiguration is three things One Companionship, two Revelation/our Moring-time, three Glorification.

I would also like to suggest at the heart of Black History Month are the same three things. Being With God/Jesus, Being in Gods Moring time or Revelation and Lastly Being able to experience God’s Glory.

So Let Me tell you what I get from this text Point # 1 God is a God who is with you from Baptism to Glorification and Our Ancestors believed in it and demanded it of their faith:

I want Jesus to walk with me.

I want Jesus to walk with me.

All along my pilgrim journey,

Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

“I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” is simultaneously several different things: it is a song of lament, a song of personal invitation, and a statement of assurance that Jesus walks alongside those who suffer. Guenther writes, “The slaves’ association with Jesus was of such a personal nature they believed Jesus accompanied them daily on their earthly journey and helped them endure its pains and sorrows” (Guenther, 102). This is expanded on by Gwendolin Warren, an African American author, who, while reflecting on this spiritual, wrote: