Well, it’s back to reality this week. From the resplendent glories on the mountain of transfiguration, Jesus descends back into the oppressive brokenness of this world and the fickleness of His all-too-human disciples. As we close out Luke 9 this week, we see a litany of failures on the part of the disciples, and Jesus’ forbearance with them as they slowly learn what it means to faithfully follow Him.
I suspect that for Jesus, the reentry from glory back into the mundane must have been quite jarring. From all eternity He’d lived in glory with the Father. In the Incarnation, He took on the confines of humanity, which had to feel constricting. After thirty years or so, He’d gotten somewhat used to living within the limitations of human form. But then that day on the mountain He tasted glory once more. I imagine it must have felt like coming home or like putting on a favorite sweatshirt. Everything was back to the way it was meant to be. All was right and well and good. And then, abruptly, everything went back.
As Jesus descends the mountain, He’s met with a world ravaged by sin, tormented by demons, and under the plague of death. His disciples have grown self-reliant and powerless. They’re more concerned with being popular than faithful. Their prideful ambition is getting in the way of childlike humility. They’ve become jealous and vindictive. And their hearts are divided in non-commitment. Is it any wonder that we sense exasperation in Jesus’ voice as He says, “How long am I to be with you and bear with you?”
But Jesus does bear with us. He knows our frailty and remembers we are dust. He sympathizes with us in our weaknesses. He is Immanuel—God with us. He set aside His glory to come near to us, to bear the burden of our sin, and to raise us up to glorious life in Him. He came down from glory to take us up into glory with Him. Because in Him we are loved, more than we know!
Thank you pastor! I am unable to attend services at this time because of my work. I drive for the CTA – city bus services and I work every Sunday. But I enjoy reading your posts. I pray for you and your beautiful family, and I love the Christmas card sent out from the church it’s nice to see how the children are growing up so fast. I’m praying for an office position here at work that will allow me to return back to service so I can hopefully meet you and your family in person. We are very blessed to have you here at the Moody church pastor. Be encouraged and I personally thank you for all you do. Your sister in Christ Winona Wilson.