Recognizing the glory of the Lord

Around 3,350 members experienced the divine service in the congregation of Kitchener Central—either live or via transmission— on Sunday, 22 March 2015. The sermon was based on a Bible passage from Mark 9: 2, 7: “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!'”

On the Mount of Transfiguration

“Passiontide is a time of comfort,” said the Chief Apostle. He pointed out that it is comforting to know that Jesus can understand us because He has lived through the same experiences: “He felt pain just as we do. He also dreaded death. He too suffered under the weaknesses of His friends, the disciples.” But Jesus is not only familiar with misery and need: He can also help us. “He showed us the way. And it is not actually that difficult to follow this way.”

The events on the Mount of Transfiguration were the focus of the divine service. After Jesus had announced His sufferings, the disciples were discouraged and distraught. For this reason He took three of them up with Him to a mountain. “And as He prayed with them, He was transfigured. Suddenly, they no longer saw Jesus, their friend, but rather the Son of God.” And Elijah and Moses also appeared to them. Then a cloud came—which is a biblical sign of the presence of God—and they heard a voice saying, ‘This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!'” (Mark 9: 7 b).

Recognizing the nature of Christ

“What is the significance of this event for us?” asked Chief Apostle Schneider. “We too suffer. And we see that others suffer. — Jesus knows this. He knows your and my sufferings and says, ‘Come, let us go up this mountain.’ In other words, ‘Come, let us go to the divine service. I will pray with you.’ He has given the promise, ‘For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them’ (Matthew 18: 20).”

“The Holy Spirit points to the glory of God and enlightens us as to who Jesus is,” explained the Chief Apostle:

• “Think about Jesus and His actions. Look up to Jesus, to His love, His patience, and His grace. Think about the future and about the Holy Spirit, who reveals to us the glory of Jesus through the word of God.”
• “Don’t worry: God has not forgotten you. God has not abandoned you, even when everything seems to be falling apart. Everything occurs in accordance with the will of God and His plan of redemption. It has all been announced beforehand. We read this in Holy Scripture.”
• “Think about the past. Just as Moses and Elijah had to suffer, and just as they were saved by the grace of God, just as other human beings have to suffer on account of you, so you must also suffer. This is normal. God was able to help at that time. Why should He not also be able to help today? He can and will do this!”
• “At times we forget that the things we see are only a portion of that which God does. But a large part of this work takes place in the beyond. The Lord also loves you who are in the beyond and He will also save you there!”
• “Align your lives by the gospel and heed His laws. Then you will be blessed. There is no doubt about this. ‘Hear Him!’ This happens in the divine service, where we experience the glory of God. We can even experience this in Holy Communion.”

Revealing the nature of Christ ourselves

“We are not the only ones who suffer. We are not the only ones who must battle,” Chief Apostle Schneider went on to note. “Jesus also wants to help our neighbour and comfort him. He also wants to show them His glory, and for this He needs us! From time to time there are situations in which God needs us to show others all the great things Christ can achieve even through weak human beings. And at such times He puts us into a special situation and waits for us to react as Jesus would react, so that He can say: ‘Those are My children. Just look at how well they are dealing with the situation!’ Let us accept this as a special task that applies to each and every one of us.”