The Sunday Readings for February 5, 2017 - The Transfiguration of Our Lord

Transfiguration by Alexandr Ivanov, 1824

There is a growing interest in returning to what is called the Historic Lectionary or the One Year Lectionary. The Historic Lectionary has been in use for over 400 years and has withstood the test of time. Article XXIV [the Mass] of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession states: "We also keep traditional liturgical forms, such as the order of readings, prayers, vestments, and other similar things."

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Isaiah 61:10-11

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

The Gradual

Psalm 45:2, 110:1; 96:2-3
THOU art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into Thy lips. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit Thou at My right hand: until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Sing unto the LORD, bless His Name; show forth His salvation from day to day: Declare His glory among all people. Hallelujah.

 The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from 2 Peter 1:16-21

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Hallelujah! Oh praise the Lord, all ye nations, and laud Him, all ye people. For His merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Hallelujah!

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in Matthew 17:1-9
Glory be to Thee, O Lord

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”

Here ends the Gospel lesson for today.
Glory be to Thee ,O Christ!

The Apostle's Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.
Amen.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New Revised Standard Version Bible may be quoted and/or reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, provided the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible or account for fifty percent (50%) of the total work in which they are quoted.

The Sermon for February 5, 2017 - The Transfiguration of Our Lord

The Transfiguration - Giovanni Bellini, c. 1490

Sermon

Now may the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

"TRANSFIGURATION: WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW WHY?"

Wouldn’t it be great if you knew why God does the things he does, especially when it comes down to what is going on in your own life? If your loved one had to be rushed to the emergency room, I would think it would be so much more comforting to know Why God allowed such a trial to take place in the first place. At least it would provide comfort and be a reminder that God is in control. However, this is reality! Most of the time you and I know what God is doing in our life, but we usually don‘t understand why He is doing it. You know, for example, that God is the Lord of life and death. So when someone in your family dies, you know that God somehow had a hand in that. But why God lets some people die at a young age, or why God let’s death at times come in such a tragic way, that is not always easy to figure out. When Jesus was here on earth, most of us understand from the Bible what was going on, and why. Why Jesus came to earth, why he let himself be crucified—we understand, he did that to earn salvation for us.

Today we have before us the Transfiguration of Jesus. What actually happened there that day? And more importantly why? How does that tie in with you and me, with our faith today? What can we learn today that will draw us even closer to our Lord?

God spells out pretty clearly what happened that day up on the mountain but not so much why it happened. We read in our text, it says, “He (Jesus) took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.” Jesus prayed a lot. Particularly at special times in his life, Jesus would go off somewhere and pray. The next verse reads, “As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning”, keep in mind that Jesus is both True God and True man. Jesus did not give up his being God when became human. Rather, much of the time he simply didn’t use his godly powers. He did not show himself as God. But for this one day, he does. He shows himself there as God. This is why his body, even his clothes, become intensely bright, “Like a flash of lightning”, it says. That’s his holiness shining through. Most of the time Jesus looked just like anyone else. If he were sitting in a pew here this morning, you wouldn’t even know it was Jesus, not from his appearance, anyway. However, if he were sitting here in his transfigured form, I think you’d know immediately that Jesus was in attendance. He would be hard to miss.

So Scripture gives us information on what happened, but I believe it is good to know also why the Transfiguration happened, don’t you? Aren’t you curious? Don’t you wonder just why he chose that moment to show his Divine nature? I believe that after you hear about all the why’s, you will not only understand Jesus better but also you will yet again be able to see his love for you through the transfiguration.

Why did Jesus become transfigured at this particular time in his ministry? Would you believe that, for one reason, (1) it was to strengthen Jesus in his resolve to go through with his mission? You would think that the Son of God did not need strengthening but remember he lived in the flesh. He got tired. He got hungry. He suffered as you and I might suffer. He also had to deal with doubts, uncertainties of every kind, and we know that he even asked that his mission be taken from him at one time, when he said, “let this cup be taken from me.”

When Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, Jesus had thoughts of his death on his mind. It would be not too far ahead when Jesus would suffer and die in our place. And although Jesus was God, the flesh that he wore made it difficult to go ahead with his task. At the very least there was unease. You can be assured that one of the why’s of the transfiguration dealt with the strengthening of Jesus because of what Moses and Elijah had to say. Scripture says, “they spoke about (Jesus’) departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.” Moses and Elijah talk with Jesus about his up-coming crucifixion, and most likely what it is going to accomplish for us all. Therefore it is clear that God the father helped God the Son become strengthened when the glory of the Lord renewed Christ’s strength. It helped Jesus as a man say with newfound strength later on, “Not my will but your will be done!”

For Peter, James and John, seeing Jesus that day in his glory as God, that must have been a faith-strengthening experience for them. These three know now, without a shadow of doubt, that Jesus is the promised Messiah, he is going to bring about salvation for all mankind. This certainty surely helped them as they might have wondered why Jesus was taking over the world right here, right now. They might have wondered what Jesus was doing, and why he was not doing it quick enough for their taste. Surely they wondered how he was going to do what he came here to do. Later when Jesus is arrested, and put on trial and subsequently crucified, those things are going to put tremendous fear and doubts into the hearts of the disciples. It will almost wipe out their faith. But the transfiguration of Jesus will still be in their memories. If Satan was convincing them, after Jesus’ death, that he was only a man, they can remember what they saw on the mountain that day when Jesus showed himself as God. They can remember the words of the Father saying, ‘This is my Son.” So if someone asks, “Why did Jesus transfigure himself before the three disciples”,(2) we can know that it was intended to give them strength for what would soon take place. We can also know that those disciples would remember and share with their brothers what they saw, so that even during their doubts they might have that light of hope yet again.

So we have heard why the Transfiguration happened for Jesus and the disciples, but is there an answer as to why it happened for us? Sure there is! As we get closer to the season of Lent, we begin to remember why Jesus died on the cross. We focus more on the suffering of Jesus in Lent more so than any other time in the year. We see Jesus as a man betrayed by one of his own disciples, on trial for his life, mocked and ridiculed, finally nailed to a cross to die. And it wasn’t just happening by accident, it was according to plan, God’s plan. That was God’s way of dealing with our sin. It was God’s way of making forgiveness possible for you and me. So just like with Peter, James and John, (3) the transfiguration is meant to strengthen in us our faith in Jesus, as our Savior and Lord.

And there is more… As you look at Jesus, as he was that day on the mountain in shining glory, and you look with the eyes of faith, you can get a glimpse of yourself. Think about it, you get an opportunity here to see what you are going to look like in eternity. God tells us in Philippians 3, “He will transform our lowly body so that (it) will be like his glorious body”, like the glorified body of Jesus. So in the transfiguration of Jesus you get a glimpse of the transformation that’s going to take place in you, when God takes you to heaven. This is a great help to us now, especially when our joints are aching with arthritis, or we find ourselves without the energy we once had, because one day we will have a transformed body, that will be like Christ’s body, holy and blameless and without ache.

When we go back to our text, remember we do not just see Jesus, we also see Moses and Elijah, and they too appeared, “In glorious splendor”; this gives us the certainty that such a transformation was not owned by Jesus alone. When the holiness of God surrounds us and penetrates us and transforms us after we perish, we will be glorious too. The comfort that comes from such a truth, helps us when we suffer and hurt now, because we are assured that such pain is only temporary.

I remember special moments in my life that I wish never would have ended. I am sure you have similar memories of moments that you just wanted to remain in forever. Like a vacation in Colorado when the weather is perfect, or a family gathering that brought so much closeness and bonding that tears would come when you all had to go your separate ways. Peter shows us how human in spirit he was, when he said, “it is good for us to be here”. He knew what a special blessing he was viewing at the time and he wanted it to last, thus he offered to put up shelter for the three men before him. But alas the moment was only temporary, and after God himself spoke saying this is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased, listen to him. It was all over, and only Jesus remained, back to the way they were used to seeing him. But for Peter, James, John and ourselves, it is not really over. The moment of transformation into holiness will one day last forever, and it will be a moment that will only bring joy, not fear as it did for the disciples. There will be no fear on that day because Jesus has wiped away all our sin, and all that will remain is the holiness that he has given to us all.

The transfiguration of our Lord gives us at least some of the answers as to why God does what He does. Take special note that God was not only thinking of his Son on that special day, but you and I as well. When you can’t figure out why God does what he does in other areas of your life, remember at least that he has given you the answer to at least some of your questions, here today, as we look upon in faith, the Transfiguration of our Lord.

Verse of the Day - February 05, 2017

Psalm 33:4-5 (NIV) For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

Read all of Psalm 33

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Un Dia a la Vez - El beneficio del dolor

Enjugará Dios toda lágrima de los ojos de ellos; y ya no habrá muerte, ni habrá más llanto, ni clamor, ni dolor; porque las primeras cosas pasaron. Apocalipsis 21:4, RV-60

¿Cómo vamos a poder decir tal cosa? ¿Que el dolor tiene una parte positiva en nuestras vidas?

¡Sí! No hay nada más poderoso en nuestro caminar con Cristo que haber experimentado, aunque sea una vez, el dolor a través de una prueba.

Dios permite que nos prueben y sabe a la perfección la capacidad que tenemos para resistir. Es más, su Palabra dice que no permitirá algo que tú y yo no podamos tolerar para salir triunfantes, pues Él nos ayudará durante la situación que estemos viviendo y después de esta (véase 1 Corintios 10:13).

En el dolor nos volvemos más sensibles. En medio del dolor conocemos a Dios de una manera más personal. Al atravesar momentos desesperados de dolor, tenemos grandes experiencias con Él.

Muchas veces, Dios permite esas situaciones en nuestras vidas porque estamos alejados de Él, porque quizá nuestro corazón esté corrupto o porque solo necesitamos que nos moldee a fin de pasar a otro nivel en nuestra vida.

No hay un momento en el que tú y yo demos más frutos que después de pasar una gran tribulación.

Sin duda, el crecimiento duele.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón. Versión Reina-Valera 1960 © Sociedades Bíblicas en América Latina, 1960. Renovado © Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas, 1988.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - FREEDOM IN CHRIST

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Claiming one’s freedom in Christ is central to the faith and fighting fear. For example, in China when authorities threaten house church leaders with the confiscation of their property, they reply, “If you want this farm, you need to talk to Jesus, as I have given it to Him. But if you do take it, I am free to trust God for my daily bread.”

When Chinese Christians are threatened with torture, they claim they are “free to trust God for healing.”

When they are imprisoned, they proclaim that they are then “free to share their faith with other prisoners.”

When Chinese believers are told they will be killed, they state that then they are “free to be with Jesus.”

The country of Bulgaria is plagued by a prevailing spirit of fear. Even many Christians suffer from it. It’s a country that was occupied by the Turks for five centuries (1396-1878) followed by several wars. After 1946, it was ruled with an iron hand by the Communists. This long story of repression and sufferings passed on for generations from the parents to the children has left durable marks in their spirits which results in a deep anguish. It acts like a spiritual yoke and creates, as a consequence, the fear of taking any initiative. In families, this anguish has been passed on through generations like a legacy. It has become a vicious circle from which it is difficult to escape. A popular Bulgarian proverb says, “Fear has big eyes!”

Our co-workers were thus surprised when they delivered Bibles to Bulgarian Pastor Simeon Popov. He appeared radiant and serene. The absence of anguish could be explained as much by the action of the Holy Spirit, who releases us from yokes, as by the influence of his study time in Germany. According to the pastor, he not only studied theology, but he also learned to claim his freedom in Christ.

So this draws me to a significant conclusion and principle: If you are a Christian, filled with the Holy Spirit, and have lost your fear of death, you are unstoppable until God calls you home to heaven!

RESPONSE: Today I will claim my freedom in Christ and live in the power He gives me.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for freedom from fear that comes only from You.

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

LHM Daily Devotion - "A Changed Direction"

 February 5, 2017

Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.

- Proverbs 4:14-15, ESV

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our international ministry centers to write our Sunday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.

In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

I got to know Lutheran Media Ministry-Uganda (LMM-U) through its youth outreach and Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC). My story began one evening after class.

The school Disciplinary Committee asked all students to assemble at the main administration block. I can tell you this was an inconvenience as this was the only time we could make contact with our classmates.

After we had assembled we were introduced to the LMM-U team. They split us into groups and talked to us about behavior. Personally, I thought this was a waste of time and I wasn't interested in anything they had to say. Still, as the facilitator spoke, she did manage to hit on something which captured my attention: peer pressure.

I was interested because I knew the wicked things I was doing with my peers. For instance, we always organized bottle parties during holidays where we would drink, dance and party all night. These parties were always free as long as one came with a partner (that is, girl or boy friend) as a free ticket. We did this to make sure we attracted as many people as we could to join our group.

Sadly, there were many negatives to all that. When we got drunk, we would do all kinds of worthless things. We would fight, and do all the kinds of things you can image a group of drunken teenagers might do. One night, at one of the parties, I got a good look at my friends who were getting drunk, dancing and shouting.

I sat down in a corner and contemplated if this was the kind of life I was ready to live.

I gave it a deep thought and, eventually, I realized everything I was doing was being done simply because my friends were doing it. At this point, the question in mind was how do I get rid of all this? It wasn't as easy as it sounds because I knew my friends would turn on me and isolate me.

I am grateful to the Almighty God who allowed the LMM-U team to extend their programs to my school just at the time when I needed them the most. When the facilitator quoted Proverbs 4:14, it all came clear to me, and I realized this was the right time for me to pull away from what I had been doing with my peers.

A new life in the Lord strengthened me as I realized I didn't have to do what the rest were doing because it was wicked.

After my introduction to the Savior and the forgiveness He had won for me, it was easier to be changed and follow a better path in my life. Slowly, I started to take part in various church activities. All in all, I rejoice the Holy Spirit has saved me, transformed me, and is using me.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace and gift of Your Holy Spirit who guides us to the right way. Use us as Your vessels to the glory of Your Name. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.

Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Najjuko Harriet, a 16-year-old student at St Elizabeth Girl's Secondary School in Mityana District, Uganda. Harriet became involved with Lutheran Hour Ministries-Uganda (LHM-Uganda) when our team visited her school to conduct a youth session. Afterwards, she enrolled and joined the Bible Correspondence Course. Today she's a volunteer who coordinates the Bible course at her school.

In this African nation of more than 37 million people, LHM-Uganda, known locally as Lutheran Media Ministry, has connected with more than 250,000 individuals through print, broadcast, electronic and traditional media. This outreach has led to the formation of more than 100 Lutheran churches countrywide. We also offer a biblical values-based peer education program designed for secondary school students. Through puppet shows, musical and dramatic performances, sizeable crowds of people, both literate and illiterate, have heard the Good News of Jesus as Lord and Savior.

This ministry center also uses the Equipping the Saints (ETS) program to assist people in their understanding of Scripture and strengthen their outreach to others. Additionally, holiday specials, topical booklets, dramatic shows and storytelling performances, concerts, films, and youth and small group ministry share with audiences the Good News of Jesus as Lord and Savior. Staff and volunteers also do AIDS-related work, supporting those impacted by this disease.

From its radio broadcasts in the capital city of Kampala, wonderful responses have been coming into LHM-Uganda's ministry center from people touched by these messages. You can read some of these listener responses by clicking here.

To learn more about our International Ministries, visit  www.lhm.org/international.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Our Daily Bread - Begin Where You Are

Read: Psalm 136:1–9 | Bible in a Year: Exodus 36–38; Matthew 23:1–22

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

I came across a solitary flower growing in a meadow today—a tiny purple blossom “wasting its sweetness in the desert air,” to borrow from the poet Thomas Gray’s wonderful line. I’m sure no one had seen this particular flower before, and perhaps no one will see it again. Why this beauty in this place? I thought.

Nature is never wasted. It daily displays the truth, goodness, and beauty of the One who brought it into being. Every day nature offers a new and fresh declaration of God’s glory. Do I see Him through that beauty, or do I merely glance at it and shrug it off in indifference?

All nature declares the beauty of the One who made it. Our response can be worship, adoration, and thanksgiving—for the radiance of a cornflower, the splendor of a morning sunrise, the symmetry of one particular tree.

Author C. S. Lewis describes a walk in the forest on a hot summer day. He had just asked his friend how best to cultivate a heart thankful toward God. His hiking companion turned to a nearby brook, splashed his face and hands in a little waterfall, and asked, “Why not begin with this?” Lewis said he learned a great principle in that moment: “Begin where you are.”

A trickling waterfall, the wind in the willows, a baby robin, the blue sky, a tiny flower. Why not begin your thankfulness with this?

Father, may we always be reminded that You have placed beauty here because it reflects Your character. We praise You!

What are you thankful for today? Share it with us on Facebook.com/ourdailybread.

[God] is the beauty behind all beauty.
Steve DeWitt

By David Roper

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries