Walking In The Light

INTRODUCTION

Today is Transfiguration Sunday. It is the Sunday between Epiphany, when Jesus reveals himself to us and Lent, which is a penitential time of preparation before Easter. Usually the text for the day leads up the mountain where Jesus is transfigured before his disciples and his divinity is clearly seen. Though our story takes place in Jerusalem instead of the Mount of Transfiguration, we still are able to observed Jesus being transfigured before the eyes of the now seeing man who had been born blind.

We also see Jesus transfigured before us.

A TOUCH OF GRACE

Transfiguration begins with a touch of grace—God’s grace.

The man born blind is one of many people in need of healing that day. The disciples see him and ask a question about the cause of his blindness. They assume that it was caused either by his sin or that of his parents.

The man does not call out to attract Jesus’ attention. He does not ask to be healed. Still, Jesus makes a paste of mud, smears it on the man’s eyes and instructs him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. There is no mention of the man’s faith.

Faith is important. We encourage each other to “keep the faith,” in difficult times. We remind each other that we must live out our faith each day. Faith, though, is in response to God’s activity—God’s grace in our lives. In addition to being the source of transfiguration, grace is also the beginning of new life.

OBEDIENCE FOLLOWS

Jesus tells the man that he needs to wash the mud from his eyes in the Pool of Siloam. The man does not ask questions or argue. He simply obeys Jesus’ instructions. He washes and is healed.

The man’s obedience leads to a new life. He is able to see and to walk in the light.

The man is challenged. People don’t believe that he is the man who was blind. The Pharisees question him repeatedly about how he was healed and who healed him. The man simply tells his story—he was blind but now he can see.

Perhaps some of his friends and family eventually see the light. The Pharisees, though, who claim to see remain blind to the truth and continue to walk in darkness.

God’s grace in our lives inspired obedience. It might make a difference if we asked ourselves the question, “What is God calling us to do?” Or, “Where is the Holy Spirit guiding me in this situation?”

INTO A RELATIONSHIP

The man meets Jesus again. He had not seen Jesus since he had washed in the Pool of Siloam and was given the gift of sight.

When the man encounters Jesus, Jesus invites him to believe—to trust and to live in a relationship with Jesus. Transfiguration and new life does not stop and the creation of a new set of laws, but rather moves into a dynamic relationship.

The man believes and he worships Jesus. Jesus is transfigured before him from a teacher or a prophet to the Messiah and the Son of Man.

As we respond to God’s grace and walk in with Jesus, we walk in the light and we see Jesus for who he is. Jesus is God’s steadfast love, unconditional forgiveness, overwhelming grace, and sure and certain hope. Jesus is transfigured before us and we are transformed.

CONCLUSION

In the past weeks, we have learned a great deal about the Christian faith and life with Jesus. We have learned that it involves being born from above with both the water and the Spirit. This is our lesson from Nicodemus. The woman at the well demonstrates what it means to draw deeply from the well of living water—who is Jesus. The man born blind enables us to catch a glimpse of what it means to walk in the light and live in a relationship with Jesus. We have learned much and we still have much to learn—such is the life of faith.

Amen.