Yahweh reigns. Of majesty He is clothed. Clothed is Yahweh, of strength
girded. Yes, established is the world, it will not waver. Established is
Your throne from of old; from eternity, You are. Floods lifted up,
Yahweh, floods lifted up their sound, floods lifted up their pounding.
More than the sound of great waters, of the splendor, of the breakers of
the sea, splendid on high is Yahweh. Your testimonies are most
trustworthy; in Your house fitting is holiness; Yahweh, to length of days.
I remember asking in Sunday School what God looked like in heaven. The
teacher was unable to tell me, saying only that no one here on earth can
see God's glory, and live. She did tell me of Jesus on the
Transfiguration mount, showing some of God's glory, just as much as man
could handle, but she reminded me that God the Father never showed the
fullness of His glory. He just stayed up in heaven behind a cloud,
saying, "This is My Son, the Beloved, with Whom I'm well pleased. Listen
to Him!"
As we drove home, I struck up a conversation with my older sister Mary,
wondering what God the Father looked like, hiding behind that cloud. She
reasoned that the Father would probably be behind the very biggest cloud
of all, since He was God. So I laid down on my back that afternoon in
the backyard, looking for the biggest cloud in the sky, hoping to catch
a glimpse of God the Father. But it was a sunny day. The next cloudy
day, I tried the same thing, my eyes only catching rain as it fell.
But today, we catch a glimpse of God the Father, and how He looks on
high, up in heaven. Psalm 93 describes Him dressed as a King, the
greatest King of all, clothed in splendor & holiness. He is also girded
with the strength of battle attire, for He is our mighty warrior-King,
who can defeat all enemies, even from the chaotic flood-waters in which
the great sea-beasts of Rahab & Leviathan lurk. His attire is glorious
indeed as He sits upon His throne, reigning over both earth and heaven
forever.
And so, this Transfiguration day, Jesus' own attire reflects that of His
heavenly Father above. He brings down a small sample of the majestic
splendor & glory with which His Father is eternally clothed. But there
seems to be one difference. Jesus does not appear girded for battle. He
does not appear to wear any armour at all, no fortified dress to give
Him protection and strength. This is surprising, since there is no doubt
talk of the battle-to-come, as Jesus converses with Moses & Elijah.
Now, don't be tempted now of thinking that Jesus is not prepared for the
battle. Too often we fall into the trap of belittling our God & Savior.
We think that Jesus must not be strong enough to fight our battles for
us, since we often appear to be losing. Is our God unprepared to defeat
poverty, cancer, war, hatred, envy, and strife? We may begin to think
that our trials, troubles & tribulations are just too much for God.
Don't be fooled by Jesus' lack of battle-clothing. He's quite able to
win the day!
Jesus is God come down to earth wearing nothing to begin with. He was
first wrapped in swaddling clothes. On this special occasion He wears
the robes of transfigued glory. But never, ever does He wear battle
armour...by design! For Jesus comes to fight in a most unique manner. He
comes not to achieve victory by staying alive, as most military leaders
strive to do. Jesus came to achieve His victory by loving you the best
way He could–by giving His life at the + as a ransom for many...for you!
Jesus comes today in glorious attire to bring you the forgiveness of His
+. He first came to most of you clothed in the waters of baptism, where
He was to wash away your sins and cleanse you from your unrighteousness.
Jesus keeps coming to you in the attire of His spokesmen, simple pastors
who preach His word of loving forgiveness to you each Sunday & holiday.
He comes today dressed in simple bread & wine, bringing you forgiveness
& eternal life & salvation to you in His body & blood.
No, Jesus didn't come dressed for a worldly battle, for your enemies are
not of this world. They are spiritual forces of the devil, which could
only be defeated by Jesus willingess to be wounded in your place. He
made Himself vulnerable to that bite of death which that deadly serpent
struck on His heel. Yet in that death, the final death-blow was struck
upon that snake-in-the-grass, Satan, once and for all. Your enemies of
the devil, sin, and hell are all vanquished! Yours is the victory in
Christ Jesus!
So Jesus is dressed this day only in the holy righteousness of His
glory, on the transfiguration mount. Just as He reflected God the
Father's glorious appearance on that day, you too do you now reflect
Jesus' Own glory, clothed forevermore in the dazzling white robes of His
holy righteousness. With that holy glory of God, you are made fitting to
dwell in His house for all the length of days. Amen.
John C. Drosendahl, Pastor
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