[Mcgregorpage] McgregorPage #649, Transfiguration Sunday, 2/22/09 IONA UPDATE

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IONA UPDATE: IF YOU ARE CALCULATING THE TOTAL COST, NOTE HOW AIR FARES HAVE DROPPED. ALSO THE SIX DAYS AT THE MACLEOD CENTER INCLUDE MEALS. YOU CAN PROBABLY DO THE PILGRIMATE FOR $2,000 TOTAL. SEE DETAILS AT <www.mcgregorpages.com/>

Transfiguration Sunday – February 22, 2009

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


To See the Light Is To Accept the Authority

Do you suppose there was grumbling among the other disciples that Peter, James and John got all the good parts     "Peter, James and John this..."  "Peter, James and John that..." Did Matthew demand to have the same mountain top, multi media presentation as the price of his continued loyalty?  Or, did the disciples, coming from a different age, accept with grater grace than we do their different stations in Jesus' organization, in God's plan?  Although Jesus said that the top leader must be the servant of all, there was still the reality of a top leader. Jesus was the top leader; Peter was next.  James and John were close.  There was the beginning of church hierarchy.  Hierarchy is not in itself the problem in human endeavor; arrogance (sin) is the problem.  Linked to the fight on behalf of the marginalized people among is the struggle for humility at the top.

Paul, who takes very seriously his authority over the church, nevertheless calls himself their slave for Jesus' sake.   "For we do not proclaim ourselve
s; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake."  (2 Corinthians 4:5)

Elisha, who wants to have a double portion of Elijah's spirit, doesn't rise to the stature of his mentor.  He accepts God's judgment regarding his place in the hierarchy of Prophets.  He's not just one of the fifty, but he's no Elijah either.

The Psalmist celebrates not his rights but God's authority:   "The mighty one, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting."

When Peter, James and John saw Jesus transfigured in radiance, they recognized the authority of God in him and for them.  When Paul says, "For it is the God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ," it is the same confession he accepted in blinding light on the Damascus Road. (2 Corinthians 4:6)

We trail the Muslims badly in confessing and practicing the dominion of God.  If Allah says pray five times a day, then all men are on their knees and forehead facing Mecca, from the king to the street vendor.  But then, there is the problem of suicide bombers. "Inshallah", if Allah wills it. This is the problem of knowing the dominion of God but not recognizing the humility of God. The revelation of God in Christ can be the saving grace. 

In our zeal for freedom, in our emphasis on individual rights, are we missing something important about God's 
will for us?  What does it mean to humbly accept one's place before God?  What does it mean to accept Christ's authority over one's life? How can a humble God have arrogant disciples?


May these thoughts strengthen you. 
 
An Open Letter to Fellow Pastors 
>From Roland McGregor, United Methodist Pastor 
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