6 Aug 2015 - shekinah

Sometimes Jesus looks all too human. Sometimes he seems subject to all the same limits as we are. The world seems so big and he seems small by comparison. Circumstance, randomness, and chance seem to be running the show. And so we are grateful, today, to see the veil pulled back.

And he was transfigured before them, 
and his clothes became dazzling white, 
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. 

He is the one to whom Moses and Elijah and all the Old Testament are pointing. Hence, he says "if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me" (cf. Joh. 5:46). He is the whom the glory cloud of God's presence covers. This is the same cloud that accompanies Israel (cf. Exo. 13:21) in the desert. This is the same cloud that overshadows Mary at his birth (cf. 1:35). This is the cloud of God's glory which fills the temple where he is present (cf. 2 Chr. 5:14). This is the same cloud which receives Jesus from the sight of the apostles (cf. Act. 1:9) and on which he will return shining "like a Son of man" to receive "dominion, glory, and kingship" and the obedience of "all peoples, nations, and languages".

This glory isn't always on full display like this. We go through times of dryness, of aridity, and even of less intense but nevertheless intimate relationship. But sometimes we need the glory. Sometimes he wants us to know for sure that we "did not follow cleverly devised myths". He wants us, in a sense, to be "eyewitnesses of his majesty." He wants us to hear the testimony of the Father, "This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased." This message and revelation does not prevent failure. The disciples still scatter and run in the face of the cross. But it does help us to believe again and to repent when we see this same glory of Jesus displayed in the power of his resurrection. We know again that, in spite of everything, "The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth".

The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.

So let us ask Jesus to show us his glory today. We are embarrassed to need this revelation but we should not be. His most intimate companions need it. Why should we be better? This glory cloud and voice from heaven form a lamp shining in the dark valleys of this world to give us the light we need "until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."

Shine, Jesus, Shine!