This sermon explores the transformative power of encountering God, as seen in Moses' radiance and Jesus' transfiguration, and its relevance to our Lenten journey.
Good morning, beloved family of God. We are gathered here today, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in this grand narrative of faith. We are here, not as casual observers, but as eager seekers, ready to encounter the divine in a fresh and profound way.
We are about to embark on a voyage of discovery, a pilgrimage of faith, where the well-worn pages of Scripture come alive, and the familiar stories of our faith take on new and deeper meanings. We are about to step into the sacred spaces of Exodus and Mark, where we will witness the radiance of Moses and the transfiguration of Jesus Christ.
Charles Spurgeon once said, "A Bible that's falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't." Today, as we crack open our Bibles, may we find ourselves not falling apart, but being built up, strengthened, and renewed by the Word of God.
In the heart of the Exodus narrative, we find Moses descending from Mount Sinai, his face aglow with the radiance of God. This was no ordinary glow. It was a divine radiance, a reflection of the glory of God. Moses had been in the presence of the Almighty, and it showed. He was a changed man, transformed by his encounter with God. His face shone like the sun, a visible sign of an invisible reality.
This radiance was not a result of Moses' own righteousness or spiritual prowess. It was a gift, a grace, a divine endowment. It was the result of being in the presence of God, of speaking with Him face to face. Moses was a mirror, reflecting the glory of God. His radiance was a testament to the transformative power of God's presence.
But this radiance was not just for Moses. It was also for the people of Israel. When they saw Moses' radiant face, they were filled with awe and fear. They recognized that Moses had been with God, that he had been in the presence of the Holy One. This radiance served as a sign, a reminder of God's presence among His people. It was a beacon of hope in the wilderness, a light in the darkness.
Yet, Moses did something peculiar. He covered his face with a veil. Why? Perhaps it was to protect the people from the overwhelming brightness of God's glory. Perhaps it was to preserve the sanctity of his encounter with God. Or perhaps it was to prevent the people from focusing on the radiance itself, rather than on the God who gave it. Whatever the reason, the veil served a purpose. It was a boundary, a buffer, a protective barrier.
This brings us to a crucial point. The radiance of Moses was not meant to be a spectacle, a show, a display of spiritual superiority. It was a sign, a symbol, a sacrament. It pointed beyond itself, beyond Moses, to the God who is the source of all radiance and glory. The focus was not on Moses, but on God. The radiance was not an end in itself, but a means to an end. It was a window, a portal, a gateway to God.
In the same way, our lives are meant to reflect the radiance of God. We are called to be mirrors, reflecting the glory of God in a world that is often dark and dreary. We are called to shine with the light of Christ, to be radiant with the love of God. But this radiance is not about us. It's not about our achievements, our successes, our spiritual accomplishments. It's about God. It's about His grace, His mercy, His love.
Just like Moses, we are called to be radiant. But our radiance is not a result of our own efforts. It's not about trying harder, doing more, being better. It's about being in the presence of God, about spending time with Him, about letting His light shine in and through us. It's about being transformed by His grace, being renewed by His Spirit, being filled with His love.
And just like Moses, we are called to be veiled. Not in a literal sense, of course, but in a spiritual sense. We are called to be humble, to recognize that the radiance we carry is not our own, but God's. We are called to point beyond ourselves, beyond our own achievements, to the God who is the source of all radiance and glory.
As we turn our gaze from the radiant face of Moses, we find ourselves standing on a high mountain with Peter, James, and John ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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