Meeting Jesus: Look at my boy!

Sermon Intro

Final Sunday of this Epiphany series…

If we were waiting for Jesus in Advent, Epiphany is about watching for how Jesus is revealed to us through his life and ministry. And how Jesus reveals to us who God is and what God is like.

Today is a hinge Sunday - between Epiphany and Lent

And while we will continue to see how Jesus is revealed to us we are about to move into a season where we follow Him towards His passion/suffering and death.

And as we have made our way through Luke 4-9… what has stood out to you?

Recap:

Luke 4 - In Jesus Hometown Sermon, he stood and read from the scroll of Isaiah and then discussed how Jubilee expresses the reign of a gracious and compassionate God

Luke 5 - Jesus showed up where Simon was, invited him to participate in His mission, revealed to Simon who He was, and then called Simon to follow - a new orientation for this fisherman

Luke 6 - Two Sabbath encounters and the way the Kingdom is founded on mercy

Luke 7 Entering a Tradition - we saw Jesus acting in ways that echoed stories of Elisha & Elijah; instances of Jesus reversing the curse, of sickness and death, demonstrating his power and authority over life itself.

Luke 7 JOYCE - how to handle our doubt… an invitation to Stillness, Silence & Solitude

Luke 7 Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner - Jesus has dinner at Simon the Pharisees house

So today, we finish up our series that has had us exploring chapters 4-9 of Luke’s Gospel. And after 3 weeks in chapter 7, we skip ahead today to chapter 9 - so we have to ask, what are we skipping over?

followers include women (who are bankrolling this project!)

parables & teaching

calming of the sea and freeing of the Gerasene man

healing of 2 women - Jairus’ daughter and the bold woman who reaches out to touch Jesus’ garment

sending of the 12

John’s death and Herod’s confusion about who Jesus is

Feeding of the 5000

And a call to follow - a pretty famous call:

Luke 9:22–23 CEB

22 He said, “The Human One must suffer many things and be rejected—by the elders, chief priests, and the legal experts—and be killed and be raised on the third day.” 23 Jesus said to everyone, “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me.

And so we pick up and the disciples are clear - they fully understand where this story is headed. They know the cost of following Jesus. And they are fully onboard. ;)

Our reading today has three sections: the transfiguration, a healing and a prediction of Jesus’ suffering.

As Nicole comes to read, would you prepare your hearts to listen and stand if you are able?

Reading

Luke 9:28–45 CEB

28 About eight days after Jesus said these things, he took Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes flashed white like lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with him. 31 They were clothed with heavenly splendor and spoke about Jesus’ departure, which he would achieve in Jerusalem. 32 Peter and those with him were almost overcome by sleep, but they managed to stay awake and saw his glory as well as the two men with him. 33 As the two men were about to leave Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it’s good that we’re here. We should construct three shrines: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—but he didn’t know what he was saying. 34 Peter was still speaking when a cloud overshadowed them. As they entered the cloud, they were overcome with awe. 35 Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to him!” 36 Even as the voice spoke, Jesus was found alone. They were speechless and at the time told no one what they had seen. 37 The next day, when Jesus, Peter, John, and James had come down from the mountain, a large crowd met Jesus. 38 A man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to take a look at my son, my only child. 39 Look, a spirit seizes him and, without any warning, he screams. It shakes him and causes him to foam at the mouth. It tortures him and rarely leaves him alone. 40 I begged your disciples to throw it out, but they couldn’t.” 41 Jesus answered, “You faithless and crooked generation, how long will I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was coming, the demon threw him down and shook him violently. Jesus spoke harshly to the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father. 43 Everyone was overwhelmed by God’s greatness. While everyone was marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, 44 “Take these words to heart: the Human One is about to be delivered into human hands.” 45 They didn’t understand this statement. Its meaning was hidden from them so they couldn’t grasp it. And they were afraid to ask him about it.

This is the Word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD.

Sermon

Overcome/Overwhelmed

As you sit here today… how are things with your soul?

What overwhelms you today?

News or personal situations

Politics or geo-politics or economics or ??

Global crisis or crises?

Polycrisis - the idea that we live in a world shaped not by one crisis but by many. ie. the interweaving crises of climate, economics, and migration…

Our Friday ladies group is doing a book study right now of a 2024 publication called Faithful, Creative and Hopeful.

Responding to the current moment of “polycrisis” with 15 theses calling Christians (back) to faith, creativity and hope… and, from what I’ve read about the book and heard from some of the group, it suggests that we must SEE clearly and then resist - both as individuals and as church communities - if we want to have anything to say to what Zink calls a “crisis-shaped” world.

I don’t know what you thought about when I asked about what overwhelms you these days… it could have been a global crisis. Or something very local and particular.

But whatever you are carrying with you this morning, I think that the reading today might address you - or that you might find an entry point into the text.

Three sections… Transfiguration, Healing & Prediction of Suffering

Transfiguration

The glory of Jesus revealed

The company Jesus keeps - what do Moses & Elijah have to do with it?

Law & Prophets

Their reappearance is a sign that the Messiah is here.

Covenant

John Squires:

So at the centre of this story, there sits the Covenant: that bonding relationship that contracted God to be the God of Israel, committed to guide and instruct and sustain them; and the people of Israel, throughout the centuries, committed to obedience and trusting fidelity to God throughout all the changes and challenges of their history.

But what I want us to notice - over top of the backdrop of covenant and Moses & Elijah’s signal… are two things: What we hear God say… and what we see Peter & his friends experience.

So, first. What happens as Jesus is transfigured (such a weird word, right?) … we hear the voice of God… reminiscent of Jesus’ baptism.

And then secondly, we see Peter and his friends have a really relatable experience. Ok. Maybe we can’t relate to having seen what they see - Jesus, Moses & Elijah having a chat. But listen to this beautiful descriptions of a really human experience.

Luke 9:32 CEB

32 Peter and those with him were almost overcome by sleep, but they managed to stay awake and saw his glory as well as the two men with him.

WHAT?!

They saw his glory.

That’s crazy.

But also, they almost didn’t. They almost fell asleep.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re in really good company. And if you’re snoozing through the revelation of the glory of God, well, Peter and his buddies might not be quick to judge.

Seeing what they do see, they are overcome with awe

Luke 9:34 CEB

34 Peter was still speaking when a cloud overshadowed them. As they entered the cloud, they were overcome with awe.

And they are rendered SPEECHLESS.

They don’t witness God’s glory and emerge with books to write and fully formed sermons or songs or anything. They’re speechless. Overcome with awe.

And likely still really tired! But perhaps too wired now to sleep.

Healing

There are just two things I want us to notice here… though there is much more we could say.

Desperation of our need…

LOOK AT MY BOY! (now, the fact that these two stories have God saying “Look at my boy! Listen to Him!” followed by this desperate father crying out to Jesus to “Look at my boy!” Desperate for the attention of someone who might just be able to help.

This is highly relatable.

The desperation of not being able to help someone we love. And many of you parents in the room - whether of small children, or teenagers or full grown adults, have watched your children suffer. Have watched people try to help. Have watched people fail to help.

Or, maybe it’s not your children. But you have watched a situation unfold and felt the same powerlessness.

And perhaps you are as frustrated as this Dad…

Jesus heals and everyone is overcome (there’s that word again!) by the greatness of God.

Luke 9:43 CEB

43 Everyone was overwhelmed by God’s greatness.

(An aside about how the disciples have been equipped to handle this but can’t for some reason?)

Prediction of suffering

Jesus is predicting his death, but not for the first time.

Just before our reading, he was very explicit. But they aren’t hearing him. They can’t see it. Their image of what God is like and what the Messiah will do won’t allow for it.

And so they are silenced. And the text tells us that they are silenced by fear - not fear of suffering (which they probably should be fearful of) but they don’t understand what Jesus is saying and they’re afraid to ask.

Luke 9:45 CEB

45 They didn’t understand this statement. Its meaning was hidden from them so they couldn’t grasp it. And they were afraid to ask him about it.

But not afraid to argue in the very next verse about who is the greatest (seriously, guys!)

Communion

Take this in remembrance that Christ died for you and feed on him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving.

Drink this cup; remember that Christ’s blood was shed for you and be thankful.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

God of grace, you have called us to be your disciple people and gathered us to your table. Here we have tasted the bread of heaven and shared the new wine of your kingdom.

Empower us by your Spirit that we may be a gospel people: good news for all the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

OR

WORDS OF INVITATION

Look, here is the Lord’s Table spread as for a feast. Bread for breaking, wine poured for drinking: signs of his love and hospitality, symbols of his life broken, his blood poured out.

He is not dead! He is risen and present among us, evidence of God’s covenant grace and promise.

So we come in faith to the table, you and I, companions on the journey. Some of us fresh and eager, others weary, in need of nourishment.

All of us conscious of our failings.

Come now, don’t hesitate, the feast is ready and the Lord himself invites you.

WE COVENANT

Creating and redeeming God, we give you thanks and praise.

Your covenant of grace was made for our salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord.

We come this day to covenant with you and with companion disciples:

to watch over each other and to walk together before you in ways known and still to be made known.

Pour your Spirit upon us. Help us so to walk in your ways that the promises we make this day, and the life that we live together, may become an offering of love, our duty and delight truly glorifying to you – Father Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

This day, we give ourselves again to the Lord and to each other

to be bound together in fellowship, and to work together in the unity of the Spirit for the sake of God’s mission.

The following may be named, as appropriate.

In our congregation, in local partnerships, in our association and in the wider Union, we commit all that we have and are to fulfil God’s purposes of love.

WE REMEMBER

It was the night of the Passover, and Jesus and his friends were sharing supper together.

While they eating he told them that one of them would betray him. They were appalled and protested saying, ‘Not I Lord, I would never betray you.’

Jesus took some bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them saying, ‘Take this and eat. This is my body.’

He took the cup of wine and after giving thanks passed it among them, saying as they drank, ‘This is my blood of the covenant. It is poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. I will not drink again until the day comes when I drink with you in my father’s Kingdom.’

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Creating and redeeming God, we give you thanks and praise for your covenant of grace: a covenant expressed in sinful people who know forgiveness, the weary who are refreshed, the hungry who are nourished, the captives who are set free and the oppressed who experience liberation.

Thank you that you chose to make us a part of your story.

Thank you for Jesus Christ who revealed your love in his death and resurrection and who continues to share his life with us through bread and wine.

Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit who sustains us in our walk together, helping us to watch over each other, to pray for one another, and to work together for justice and truth.

As we eat this bread and drink from the cup, (signs of hospitality and grace), may we be empowered to serve boldly wherever you may call.

Accept these prayers and our heartfelt thanksgiving in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

[call up servers & worship team at the same time]

Instructions: today, we will remain in our seats and the servers will come to you. Hold both elements aend we will take them together.

SERVING

Song: There is a Redeemer

WE SHARE (AFTER SERVING)

The bread

One people, one loaf, a sign of our common faith and testimony to the generosity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Take this loaf, food for faith, and feed on it with thanksgiving.

The wine

One people, one cup, a sign of the new covenant poured out for you and for many. It is a covenant sealed by his blood. When we drink

we must be thankful and agree together never to forget.

WE JOURNEY (PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION)

Holy God, we have been nourished and had our thirst quenched, through bread broken and wine poured in thanksgiving for your Son Jesus Christ. Send us out to be as generous to those we meet this week, that we might show through word and deed that he is not dead, but risen and present among us.

Hallelujah! Amen.