The Light Has Come

 

Luke 1: 67-79

Introduction

When we welcome a guest to our midst, we smile and say out loudly “Welcome!” But in Chinese saying, it is “欢迎光临welcome the arrival of the light”.

Why do we say “welcome the arrival of the light 欢迎光临?” Probably because, since ancient times, people have yearned for light and rejected darkness. So unconsciously they use the term “arrival of the light 光临” to express their joy at someone’s presence.

In ancient times, people were indeed terrified by darkness because there was no electricity yet, so no electric produced lights to chase away the darkness after sun set. Nights were long and agonizing.

Interpretation

What does the Bible say about how things began when God created heaven and earth?

Genesis 1:1–2 says: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters, and the Spirit of God hovered over the waters.”

Written thousands of years ago in the Middle East, people of that time deeply feared darkness and the great waters above the abyss — these brought immense destructive power, causing people to lose direction and even their lives.

But God’s Spirit hovered over the waters, calming the waters, subduing them — meaning subduing the power of evil in that cultural background. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and separated light from darkness.

By the way, darkness was not completely eliminated but separated from light. So metaphorically speaking, evil or disasters still persist till today in the whole human history.

At that time of creation, God had not yet made the sun, the moon, or any of the light-bodies — where did the light come from? It was because God’s presence brought light. God Himself is light; and Jesus is the light of the world!

Today as we celebrate Christmas, we speak of Jesus’ birth as “God’s light arrives” — He came into the world to illuminate its darkness, bringing hope and salvation to us!

In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah once wrote:

“Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. In the past, the land of Zebulun and Naphtali were humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. ” (Isaiah 9:1–3)

旧约圣经《以赛亚书》记载：『从前上帝使西布伦地和拿弗他利地被藐视，末后却使这沿海的路，约旦河东，外邦人居住的加利利地得荣耀。在黑暗中行走的百姓，看见了大光；住在死荫之地的人，有光照耀他们。神会使这国民众多，使他们喜乐大增；他们喜乐起来，好像收割时候的欢喜，又像人分战利品那样的快乐。』（赛9:1-3）

More than seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth, Isaiah spoke this prophecy — at that time the people of Israel were oppressed and defeated by the Assyrian army, and the nation was on the verge of destruction.

Why were God’s people being attacked?

Because they did not follow God’s path. They sinned and turned away from God. Their society was filled with injustice — the rich exploited the poor, violence and tyranny prevailed, the weak and vulnerable were oppressed, orphans and widows suffered. Rulers and judges were corrupted. They had violated the covenant with God in Sinai.

In the end, God judged Israel, allowing foreign enemies to invade, their homes destroyed, lives and possessions lost.

From ancient times until today, whenever people abandon the true God and reject the true Light, they live in the darkness of sin and death — filled with suffering and despair, life gradually wasted away.

Look at our world today: how are our lives and how are our societies faring? Are we living in light and happiness, or in dark misery?

We’ve seen some countries in just thirty years go from prosperity into decline; though they still have laws and security, corruption runs rampant; ordinary people face insecurity and oppression; human trafficking and organ harvesting appear repeatedly; terrorists violently attack innocent people; unjust systems widen the rich-poor gap, and powerful oppress the weak.

Society may seem much more “advanced,” but stress and pressure on life have increased — inflation, intense competition and feeling unsecured over future. As a result, young people resist marrying or having children; many pursue an idle “lying flat” lifestyle as a silent protest. Besides, some foresee looming great-power conflicts and fear that a third world war is close at hand.

The Bible emphasizes that the root of all problems is sin — the evil that binds humanity tightly: jealousy, arrogance, pride, greed, selfishness, ruthless competition. Every person — whether a commoner, a multi-millionaire, or a nation’s rulers — can be deeply trapped by these.

We are not able to save ourselves; all we can do is sink deeper into hurt and self-destruction. What more to say, everyone of us is living towards death, and succumb to the fear of what would follow after death?

Despite all these horrible scenarios of being, Bible tells us that God is full of love and mercy — He wants to bring salvation. God raised up salvation in ancient times for the Israelites, and He still brings salvation to us today, because He is the God of redemption.

The prophet Isaiah made a promise: this land of Galilee will one day receive honor and glory. That promise was fulfilled in history after Israel was destroyed and later revived. But Isaiah’s prophecy had multiple fulfilments — ultimately it was fulfilled in Jesus.

Seven hundred years later, New Testament author Luke cites this prophecy — but included the emphasis of God’s mercy:

“Because of the tender mercy of our God, the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Luke 1:78–79)

Luke points out: God, in His compassion for sinners, sent Jesus to save those living in darkness. The ancient prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus’ arrival.

After Jesus was born, He began His gospel ministry in Galilee (Matthew 4:12–25). Jesus traveled around, preached, healed the sick, cast out demons, forgave sins, helped people escape the power of sin; He taught truth and led people to live in light.

Jesus not only healed and saved people in this life — He willingly was nailed to the cross by sinners to bear the punishment for sinners. He bore the sins of the world, and died the sinners’ deaths. He also rose from the dead so that those who trust in Him may have sins forgiven, obtain eternal life, and dwell in paradise with God.

Application

Jesus said: “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) And to His disciples He said: “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)

Jesus promises that those who follow Him will first receive the “light of life”; secondly, they will become “light of the world.”

Jesus has been born into the world, and come into our lives to meet us. His light shines upon our lives — how should we respond?

We should recognize that we have thus far lived in darkness, with many ugly sins and weaknesses in our hearts. Now we want to accept Jesus as our Savior, receive His light. Then Jesus will save us from darkness and sin, bring us to God; as a result, we are able to turn away from sin, break free from sin’s bondage.

If you have not yet accepted Jesus as the Savior of your life — accept this light now! Even if you live surrounded by darkness, fearfully lonely in the sea of people — Jesus can give you a meaningful, abundant life.

Secondly — for those who have already accepted Jesus’ salvation and decided to follow Him — Jesus will make us reflect His true light before people. When others see that our life has changed after following Jesus, they will know that Jesus is the true and living God; and they will desire to accept His salvation and bring glory to the Father God.

For Christians, children of God, as we journey with Jesus each day, we may still fall into temptation sometimes. However, Jesus is faithful to save us to the end. He has sent the Holy Spirit to help us. The Holy Spirit will shine light on us, empower us give the strength to repent and turn away from sin. Therefore, children of God, come to the presence of God, seek the anointing of the Holy Spirit to overcome temptation and live a glorious life.

Conclusion

The Lord Jesus came into the world, to save humanity from sin — from darkness into light; from despair into true peace. Jesus is the light of the world. Today let’s welcome Jesus, welcome the Light 欢迎光临！

The true light of Jesus Christ is here to illuminate our lives, allowing us to live in brightness. And through us, the world may see that light — so that those still living in darkness may see dawn and come into the light.

神住在我们中间

约翰福音1:1-34

『太初有道，道与神同在，道就是神。这道太初与神同在。万物是借着他造的，凡被造的，没有一样不是借着他造的。生命在他里头，这生命就是人的光。光照在黑暗里，黑暗却不接受光。』（约翰福音1:1-5）

『道成了肉身，住在我们中间。充充满满地有恩典，有真理。我们也见过他的荣光，正是父独生子的荣光。』（约翰福音1:14）

神的独生子，那太初的道，成了肉身，降世为人，带给我们神的恩典。这神的恩典之一，就是神与我们同在，住在我们中间。

神与人同住，是那么的难吗？需要那么的迂回曲折吗？我必须从头说起了。

为何神创造人？在永恒里，三一真神是充满恩典的。神创造人因为他爱人，要跟人建立关系，并且赐福人，赐予人神丰盛的恩典。

神很在乎我们与祂之间的关系，但人类始祖在伊甸园犯罪之后，神与人之间的关系就破坏了。罪使人与神隔绝，但神主动就近人。祂主动拣选人，与人立约，重新与人建立关系，赐福给人。

“住在我们中间”的“住”（希腊文σκηνόω），有“支搭帐幕而居”的意思；神住在我们中间，在我们中间支搭帐幕而居，使人想起西乃旷野中的神的帐幕—会幕。

神的救赎计划的第一步就是与亚伯拉罕立约。

神应许赐福亚伯拉罕和他的后裔，又应许万国要透过亚伯拉罕和他的后裔得福。然而，亚伯拉罕的后裔以色列人流落在埃及当奴隶，神的应许如何实现呢？

神记念祂与亚伯拉罕之间的约，就兴起摩西将以色列人从埃及为奴之家拯救出来，带领他们去到神的应许之地—迦南。

以色列人在出埃及的旅程中，来到西乃的旷野。在那里，神与以色列人立约，对他们说：“我向埃及人所行的事，你们都看见了，且看见我如鹰将你们背在翅膀上，带来归我。如今你们若实在听从我的话，遵守我的约，就要在万民中作属我的子民，因为全地都是我的。你们要归我作祭司的国度，为圣洁的国民。”（出一九：4-6）

神与以色列人立约，拣选以色列人为属祂的子民。祂借着摩西颁布十诫之后，随即指示摩西和以色列人为祂建造帐幕，祂要在那里“与以色列人相会”，并要“住在以色列人中间，作他们的神”（出二九：43-46）。

会幕建立起之后，神就让以色列人开始学习献祭和敬拜祂，人可以把祭物带到会幕，在祂的面前向祂表达认罪，祈求和感谢等等。

在伊甸园，神与人没有间隔的相交，但人犯罪之后必须透过献祭牲畜才能够恢复与神的关系。这样神就住在子民中间，与他们相会。神要作他们的神，他们要作属神的子民。子民活在神的同在里就蒙福。这是神何等的恩典！

但作为属神的子民，以色列民除了献祭敬拜神，还必须顺服神，遵行神的诫命来维持归给神，作圣洁的国民的身份。

“我是把你们从埃及地领出来的耶和华，要作你们的神，所以你们要圣洁，因为我是圣洁的。”（利一一：45）会幕（以及后来圣殿）里的敬拜和事奉，注重分别为圣；祭司和人民要借祭牲的血，洁除罪污，才能到神的面前来敬拜祂。神要祂的子民学习专一事奉祂，过分别为圣的生活，因为祂是圣洁的。

拦阻人不能与神相交就是罪，罪的问题必须被解决，但纵观以色列人的历史，我们看见他们终究无法突破罪的捆绑。以色列人在迦南地生活的历史里，多数的时候是悖逆神，不遵守律法，并且敬拜偶像。结果他们死在旷野，或遭遇天灾人祸，甚至国破家亡，被掳到巴比伦。

旧约以色列民与神的关系只是局部的修复，罪的问题始终未被解决。为了要一次过解决罪的问题，完完全全修复神人关系，神就差遣他的独生子来救赎罪人。

约翰强调神的独生子就是永恒的道。这道logos成了肉身，住在世人中间，名叫耶稣。耶稣在世上与人同住三十三年，叫人从祂身上看见父神，认识父神。祂到世上来召唤罪人回转归向父神，呼召世人跟从祂，与祂同行，与祂同工，效法祂的榜样，去活出一个遵行神旨意的生活。

而更重要的是，神的儿子成为肉身，“特要借着死，败坏那掌死权的，就是魔鬼”（来二：14）。耶稣基督自己成了献祭给神，为罪人赎罪的祭牲。他的死和复活，败坏了罪恶和死亡的权势;祂的宝血有永远除罪的功效。所以基督的死与复活终极的解决了罪的问题。

今天我们所有信靠基督的人，因着基督的宝血已洁除我们一切的罪，就能够与神和好，得以坦然无惧的去到神的面前（来一○：19），与祂相交。

耶稣死了，埋葬了，三天之后复活，显现给门徒看，接着他升天回到神的宝座的右边。耶稣离开之后，就差派保惠师圣灵来。圣灵住在我们心中，与我们同在（约一四：16）。

圣灵的工作是重生我们，启示我们真理，并且帮助我们成圣，又给我们力量去服侍神和宣告福音。

今天我们的身体，竟成了神的殿，意思是神居住在我们里面（林前六：19），这是何等奇妙的福气！

若非神的大爱和怜悯，差祂的儿子为我们的罪作挽回祭（约壹四：10），有罪的人又怎可以到神面前去，甚至与神同居？圣子道成肉身，成就的救赎大功，又透过圣灵，叫所有信靠祂的人得着祂的圣洁生命，真正能与神同居。

我们所有接受耶稣基督为主，就真正能够领会和得着神“住在我们中间”的恩典。神“住在我们中间”，这份恩典是直到永永远远的，甚至延伸到世界末日后的新天新地的日子里。启示录这样的形容说：

“看哪！神的帐幕在人间。祂要与人同住，他们要作祂的子民；神要亲自与他们同在，作他们的神。神要擦去他们一切的眼泪；不再有死亡，也不再有悲哀，哭号，疼痛，因为以前的事都过去了。”（启二一：3-4）

“神的帐幕在人间”又可译为“神的帐幕与人同在”。西乃旷野的会幕，是暂时的；新天新地里神的帐幕，是永远的，是神和羔羊自己为殿（启二一：22），亲自与祂的子民同在（启二一：3）。

在新天新地里与主永远同住，再也不受死亡和罪恶的影响;不再有死亡，不再有悲哀，不再有眼泪，不再有痛苦。这是神子民的福分。当我们想到神为我们预备的这个福分，就能在患难的日子中坚持忍耐下去。

如论如何，今天罪恶和魔鬼的权势，仍然影响着我们身处的世代；苦难和压迫，软弱和失败，有时会叫我们灰心，感到好像神没有与我们同在。然而，我们当记紧，神的子民活在这个末世中是艰难的，但神与祂的子民同在也是不变的。

我们要怀着盼望，迎接主的再来;当基督第二次降临的时候，所有属祂的人，就要在大喜乐中与主永远同住了。

耶稣基督的降生，值得记念和感恩；耶稣基督第二次降临，更加是我们应当盼望和儆醒预备的。但愿每个属主的人，记得主基督要回来。他要住在我们中间；祂要作我们的神，我们要作祂的子民。

今天主基督是透过圣灵住我们里头。主耶稣说：“你们要常在我里面，我也常在你们里面。”（约一五：4）

今天，我们是否常在主里面，是否有主住在我们的生命中，以至人生的每一部分，都有主耶稣参与在其中，常被圣灵充满，结出果子荣耀父神？

结语

主耶稣快要再来（启二二：20），愿我们从今天开始，每个人都有一个与主同行，与主同住的人生，儆醒等候祂的再临。有主与我们同在，生命路途遇见的风风雨雨，挫折又算得什么呢？

感谢赞美主！我们今天每时每刻都仰望主，依靠神的恩典，圣灵的力量同奔天路，一刻不回头。在基督里我们是有盼望的，靠着那上头来的力量，我们凡事都能做。阿们！

Returning and Rest

 

Isaiah 30:1-18

The Lord longs to be gracious to you

Many truths of the Bible, like this one found in Isaiah 30:1-18, seems to be irrelevant to people who seek practical and pragmatic ways of living. How could one receive power through quietness and trust? This sounds ridiculous to the modern-day society.

We shall look into Isaiah 30:1-18 to discover how we could be saved and empowered in a turbulent and changing world today. I summarize it into three points as follow:

Being Practical and Pragmatic are not Golden

To be practical or pragmatic is a prevalent in current times. It is an ideology that values everything by questioning whether it is practical or not for the people.

Thus, people tend to measure everything in accordance with its results and achievements. They measure their life and self-worth by how high an income they earn.

In school reunion gatherings, we may be eager to find out about each other’s career and income earned. So, a pastor or a seminary teacher will not be able to earn a high income no matter how qualified he is. Does it mean that he or she is worthless?

Given such pragmatic ideology and peer pressure, people are compelled to work hard, be occupied and wrestle to climb high. They believe they would become more valuable with more work done, and more useful if they were busier. Hence, they would not have time to quiet down themselves.

The whole society is fully occupied, and nobody even has time to ponder, “What indeed am I busying for?”

“Busyness” causes majority of people to belittle the need of quietness and still. In fact, many people feel useless and unsecured when being idle and isolated. They don’t feel easy being alone with God.

How do you feel living under MCO period, when most of the economic and social activities are shut down?

In short, the emphasis of pragmatism has some negative impact on our faith. Believers are tempted to believe that nothing could be achieved without hard work, and hence, they are busy doing things, and overlook the importance of quietness and trust before God.

Many believers have become “Martha” who are worried and upset about many things.” (Luke 10:41) They have forgotten about one thing that is needed for them, and that they have to be like Mary, who in quietness, waited and listened attentively at the feet of the Lord Jesus.

In the times of King Hezekiah, the Jews were terrified and worried over their own nation. They were threatened by many nations, and hence they sought help from the Assyrians. However, they were afraid to be controlled by the Assyrians, and thus, they sought helps from the Egyptians too. The Jews thought that Egypt could deliver them from the bondage of Assyria. They forgot to put their trust in God for their rescue.

Therefore, Isaiah 30:1-18 is an instruction from God to the Jews to return to Him and not to put their trust in Egypt. In the same way, God is calling us today not to be over worried by the ups and downs of the world. We must not trust in our own efforts to find relief, but to return to Him and trust Him only.

In repentance and rest is your salvation; In quietness and trust is your strength

Judah, instead of seeking God first, sought the aid of Egypt (Isa 30:1-5). Therefore, God rebuked them through the prophet Isaiah and said, “Woe to the obstinate children, to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh’ protection, to Egypt’s shade for refuge.” (vv.1-2)

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” (v. 15)

In other words, what God meant is, “You believe that the Egyptians can rescue you, but what you believe is in vain. There is a God who is in control of everything, and He shall come and judge you, for it is in repentance and rest that you can be saved.”

We are reminded here that to be saved and delivered is only through returning to God and resting in Him. Return means to go back to God, with a true repentance, and turn away from the path where we make our own choices. Rest means to cease from trusting ourselves and go on doing things in our own way which may be even displeasing to God.

The Jews were busy in sending envoys with carriers of gifts to please the hearts of the Egyptians. They were very active and busy trying to save themselves. Unfortunately, this could not save them. In fact, salvation lies on rest, and it means that we must cease from human activities and rely on God’s grace for rest.

Rest in God is not solely passive and idling, but it includes overcoming sins and behaving the way of a genuine child of God. Judah needed this kind of power, the real power to resist their enemies. Yet this must be acquired through quietness, putting aside their busyness and concerns, as well as those desires that they had been hotly pursuing, and instead, trust God in their hearts.

It means that they must have an ability of self-denial, and to return to God wholeheartedly (Ps 46:10; 29:10-11;28:7).　

When we encounter attacks from others or economic down turn or sicknesses, the message of Isaiah found in this scripture reminds us to be still, to be patient, return to God and him in order to persevere through this difficult time. We shall see our salvation and strength in this manner of resting in God.

For some people, it also means that we do not pick a fight with others, for God says, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay.” (Romans 12:19) We should pray to God by faith and wait on God to execute His justice and shower on us His mercy.  This prayer will change the whole situation and God shall become our rescue.

Never be fearful and lose our hope when we face the uncertainty or gloomy outlook of our future. We should instead take heed of the instructions of Isaiah, “in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” It was in repentance and returning to God and resting in Him that the Israelites could be saved.

For those who long to receive power and strength, we must put aside our own ideas and return to God fully, and to receive His strength as we wait upon Him and trust in Him.

However, as what is found in the above-mentioned text, it is not human nature or our inclination to wait and trust, and neither were the Israelites. They sought helps everywhere! Because of this, God spoke to them through the prophet, “but you would have none of it.” (Isa 30:15)

This is the reality of human tragedy, because all of us have neglected the source of true power, and we hope to find it somewhere else!

When the Israelites rejected the true means of their deliverance, and sought their own ways out, they turned to the Egyptians for helps, and hence acquired from them a big number of horses. They thought that by having these horses and chariots, they could be free from the pursuit of their enemies.

In the ancient time, having horses and chariots means the person had something or someone to back him up and it was a sign of arrogance and haughtiness (Ps 20:7).

The Israelites rode on their horses, but their enemies rode on their horses as well. Hence, they had no way to run away from their enemies.

The Israelites also hoped to defeat the enemies with large army. So, they thought by recruiting soldiers from Egypt, they could overcome the Assyrians chariots. However, it was a terrible mistake.

God says in verse 17, “thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away…” One man’s threat caused one thousand Jews to flee, and with five enemies, all the Jews would flee away!

This was God’s punishment. God set His heart to punish His rebellious children, and hence, nobody could escape from it.

The truth is that the punishment mentioned in verse 17 is a reverse to the promises that God had given to the Israelites before. We see that in period when Israelites were brought out of Egypt during Moses time, God promised that He would be with them and bless them, so that they could chase out their enemies (Lev 26:8; Deut 32:30).

The rebellious children would have to stand alone. God says, “till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.” (Isa 30:17b) This is pathetic situation of Israelites who had placed their trust on the Egyptians.

“Egypt” is sometimes used in the Bible to represent the secular world. God’s children today must not put their trust in this world and seek helps from it. Instead, we should trust only God and seek His aid.

No doubt, God is the Lord of judgment, but He is also a God that is full of mercy. Verse 18 points out the lovingkindness of God, “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore, he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”

Our God is full of mercy and righteousness. In fact, God’s mercy is built upon His righteousness. God is ready to reveal His favor and mercy, but are we willing to wait upon Him? Those who wait upon God are the blessed, for they shall receive deliverance and strength in Him.

Later, the Israelites took heed of the prophet’s message, and they returned to God under the leading of Hezekiah and found their rescue and strength in Him.

According to the records found in Isaiah 37:36 and 2 Kings 19:34-37, God sent His angels to the Assyrian camps and killed about 185,000 men. He destroyed the entire Assyrian army just in a second! The Israelites won the battle without a real fight!

Conclusion

Only God is the source of our strength. Today, let’s return to God, rest in Him, and trust Him to lead us through this stormy life journey, until the day we meet Him face to face.

Let’s make adjustments to our life now, retune ourselves by spending quiet time with God, let us be occupied with God’s words not with Egypt concerns, walk in his way and not our own ways.

The LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

Simply Worship And Pray

 

Mark 9:2-29

Jesus’ Mountaintop Transfiguration

Despite his busy schedule in ministry, Jesus would regularly retreat, quieten down, and pray earnestly. This time, He brought with him three disciples—Peter, James and John, to a high mountain to pray. The high mountains are the most ideal places to pray and experience God.

At the mountaintop, Jesus was transfigured before the disciples. Mark tells us, “Jesus’ clothes became radiant, intensely white, and whiter than anyone on earth could bleach them.” This was the eternal God the Son in His glory!

In the Old Testament, God at Mount Sinai appeared in his glory to Moses. Moses could not see God directly. God hid him in the cave and he only saw the back of God. But even this had made the face of Moses radiant.

Apparently, there is an unsurpassable gap between God and the sinful people. No sinful people can come to God’s presence to witness his glory without being stricken to death.

Following the incident, through Moses, God commanded the Israelites to build a tent or tabernacle. God’s presence would dwell in the tabernacle and through sacrifices offered in the tabernacle; God’s people could come to the presence of God alive.

Now Jesus, on the other mountain, transfigured and appeared in his own glory. This transfiguration affirmed His identity as the eternal God the Son. This was also an anticipation of Jesus’ glorification after His death, resurrection and ascension.

Peter, James and John beheld Jesus’ glory but remained alive, though they were greatly terrified as they were overshadowed by cloud, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.”

And there too appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Moses represented the Law while Elijah represented the Prophets. The appearance of these two great representatives of Israel’s tradition next to Jesus showed that his identity is unparalleled.

In Luke’s record, we are told that Elijah and Moses discussed with Jesus concerning His departure (or, exodus), which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. The two luminaries were cheering Jesus on, affirming and encouraging Him to accomplish his God-given mission. Their discussion involved the prophecies of the Law and the Prophets concerning the Messiah, Jesus who would saving all nations out of sin, through His suffering and death.

And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

Peter intended to make such glorious, majestic and blessed moments of God’s presence longer and safer through their divine presence dwelling in the tent or tabernacle.

But suddenly, Moses and Elijah disappeared. They saw Jesus only. The tent-building project did not materialise. Theologically Moses and Elijah had to go. They were not supposed to linger in the tents alongside with Jesus because their era had passed and now Jesus came and inaugurated a new era of salvation.

And Jesus is the only way by which people can go to the Father. He himself is the tabernacle, the Temple and the sacrifice too. Through Jesus, we are able to connect with God and remain alive.

Actually, Jesus and the disciples’ mountaintop experience is a “worship” experience; where human have a foretaste of God’s eternal, glorious presence—the Transfiguration, the overshadowing cloud and the affirming voice of God.

Let Us Worship the Lord Unceasingly

Humans always live with sense of insecurity, self-alienation and alienation from other fellow humans, and also with feeling of loneliness and dissatisfaction deep down in soul.

People are haunted with all kinds of longing and want to be fulfilled. And Satan deceives us, directing us to things outside God, outside Jesus for satisfying our longings and wants.

We think that only by obtaining wealth and health, love and achievements and etc, we will be satisfied. However, the truth is only by worshipping God, the Holy One will our innermost emptiness be satisfied. Only God’s acceptance and forgiveness of sin will deliver us from guilt, shame and brokenness.

In worship, where we come to dwell in God’s presence, we will have a foretaste of all that our inner being long for, i.e. seeing God’s face, feeling the weight of his glory upon us, hearing God’s voice and entering into his embrace.

In worship, we have glimpses of God’s eternal glory, and a foretaste of all his blessings and inheritance which he has placed in store for us in eternity.

In worship, we not only believe that God is good and forgiving, but really experience his goodness and acceptance personally.

Today regardless of what circumstances we are in, we ought to constantly encounter God through worship. In this encounter, the Spirit will empower and equip us to face the future challenges in life. We ought to desire this kind of experience. It is like “tonic” to revive and renew us. We gain strength and solidify our faith through these experiences.

Now the question is, “who can experience an authentic worship?”; “What kind of attitude a true worshipper must have in order to enter into worship?”

Feeling Unworthy, Inadequate and Helpless

After the transfiguration, Jesus and His disciples went down from the mountain to meet other fellow disciples. And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. And Jesus asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?”

And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So, I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.”

And Jesus answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.”

And they brought the boy to Jesus. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth, and Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”

And he said, “From childhood, and it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; but help my unbelief!”

And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, never enter him again.”

And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he aroused.

And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

Jesus’ prayerful mountaintop experience had equipped Him to accomplish what was recorded in the Books of the Law and the Prophets.

Jesus then went down to the crowded valley and plains, to fight against the forces of evil; set free those who were oppressed and enchained. He served ceaselessly throughout His entire journey to Jerusalem until He arrived at another mountain, Golgotha, to suffer humiliation and to be crucified on the cross. There he sacrificed His own life for the salvation of the world.

In contrast, the disciples tried to cast out demons but failed because they did not pray enough. They were complacent and over confident of themselves. They did not prepare themselves enough to wage war against evil and suffering.

There was only one person who knew his own inadequacy and helpless state that is the father of the child. He pleaded with Jesus to help his unbelief. And the result is Jesus healed his son.

We don’t need to be fully righteous to come to God. We only need to be remorseful and confess our sin, and acknowledge that we are indeed weak and helpless, and pleading with Jesus to help our unbelief.

We can solely rely on this attitude to come to dwell in God’s presence in worship. Then we will be able to have a glimpse and foretaste of God’s eternal glory and his bountiful blessing.

Conclusion

Today we must not be contented with the busy service or the boring and monotonous life of the “plains”. We need to “go up the mountains” to pray and worship God. Today you may only know in your mind that God loves you, but you ought to feel and experience God’s love in worship.

In worship, the Holy Spirit will empower you to experience the sweetness of God’s presence. You will hear God’s voice whispering to you. You will feel that his presence surrounds you with his embrace. Your soul will also be radiant for he has shone on you.

The worship experience will prepare and equip you to take on the challenges of life; to “go down to the valley and plains” to serve the needs of the crowd and take on all other challenges that come our way. We will bring changes to our lives and to the world at large.

Let’s now humble ourselves before God, confess that we are helpless and we need God and not God needs us. Let’s be sure that only by dwelling in the presence of God can all our longings be satisfied. We will experience healing for our brokenness and deliverance from sin. 

Now let us come to worship in Spirit and in Truth, God is here to meet us, granting a foretaste of his glory and bountiful grace and blessing, and we will then be renewed, able to rise up again to new heights and empowered to move on in the power of Spirit.