Scripture/Sermon of the Day. February 27, 2022

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2

12 Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, 13 not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. 14 But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. 15 Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; 16 but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.
Treasure in Clay Jars
4 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.

Reflection/Sermon:

I. Today is Transfiguration Sunday. It’s about change in our lives. Not just any change but something so powerful and life-altering that the word “change” doesn’t describe it.

II. But it’s a good place to start. Because at some point, “change” can become “transfiguration.” We all change, every day. The ancient Greek Heraclitus said: “You cannot step into the same river twice….” Because the water keeps flowing. It looks the same but the water moves — it changes every second. And we also change every second. Our thoughts don’t stand still. Have you ever meditated? The first thing you notice is that you can’t control your thoughts. Like a river, they keep flowing constantly, moving, moving. Try to slow down your thoughts — they speed up! Moment by moment, we change.

III. Sometimes life says this this so forcefully, even if we’re dull, we see it. God is always trying to grab out attention, always trying to open our eyes and teach us things. In just three days, I had three powerful lessons: on Wednesday I had surgery to repair a hernia. A little piece of screen was put in me — I was patched-up like a bicycle tire. So at 10:30 that morning I had one body and by noon I had a different one.
The next day while eating gummy bears the crown of a tooth came off. I changed again.
Then, the next morning while I got my coffee, I put my glasses on the kitchen table and one of the lenses popped out. I stopped everything and had to say, “Jesus Christ!” — three days and three big changes! My body was acting like my 2010 Subaru Forester where every month I take it to the garage for a new repair. I wondered what would be next?

IV. So we change physically. And even if we take good care of ourselves — we’re just like an aging car that breaks and needs regular repairs.
But we don’t just change physically — we change spiritually. The other day I was reading something in the dining room. Annie was there and she said something to me. But I was reading and not listening to her. She said it again. I still didn’t hear her — didn’t answer her. Finally she said, assertively, “Dad! I’m talking to you. Did you hear what I just said?” Then she said, “Oh my God! That’s something you would say. OH NO! I’m becoming like you!” And then, looking amused and horrified, she left the room, never bothering to tell me what she had said.

V. It’s like that Progressive Insurance commercial that tells us they can give us a good insurance policy but they can’t prevent us from becoming our parents! A man sees a shopping cart on the sidewalk and says: “Somebody’s not doing their job.” He walks down an isle and says, “Do you believe how many different types of water they have in this isle?” He sees the manager and says: “Oh — Brian in produce — very helpful!” That’s when the narrator says: “Progressive can’t protect you from becoming your parents, but we can protect your home and auto.”

VI. Actually, this is what Transfiguration is all about — becoming our parents — God, our mother and father. So Paul tells the Corinthians: “All of us, ...seeing the glory of the Lord ...are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” Through God’s grace, we are changing — from one degree of glory to another — we are being transformed into Christ. Even now, God is Transfiguring us.