Yesterday was the 335th anniversary of the birth of George Frideric Handel. A colossus of classical music, his “Hallelujah Chorus” is known by more than musical experts. Many of us hear that music and his words: “For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”
He reigns, really? If the Lord God omnipotent reigneth, why can’t we see it? Our Lord Jesus speaks to doubts we may have about the reality of His reign. Yesterday the Church observed Jesus’ Transfiguration. He invited Peter, James and John to join Him on the mountain, and His word invites us to treasure the glory He showed in hope of what is to come. “He was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light… Behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’ Imagine the glory! But it passes, back to normal, down from the mountain where Jesus goes to suffer, and leads us to carry the crosses that come from following Him. “And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.” “Listen to him.”
During the closing hymn yesterday, a banner saying “Alleluia” was carried out of the sanctuary.
“Alleluia cannot always / Be our song while here below;
Alleluia, our transgressions / Make us for a while forgo;
For the solemn time is coming / When our tears for sin must flow”
(Lutheran Service Book 417, 3).
By His Transfiguration, God teaches us to live trusting Jesus’ Word and to look forward to the coming glory. Glory now but not yet. So Lent will take us down on the plain where we follow Jesus’ carrying His cross, confident in our faith that Alleluias will come back. “The Kingdom of the world is become / The Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and of His Christ / And He shall reign forever and ever.” “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). ‘Rise, and have no fear” (Matthew 17:2, 5-9).
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