Sermon on the 2nd Sunday of Lent on March 13, 2022 in St. Peter en St. Pauls church in Cothen
Dear sisters and brothers, at the transfiguration on the mountain we see Jesus talking with the two great figures from the Holy Scriptures, Elijah and Moses 1). This means something very special. It means that throughout his life Jesus was always in conversation with the Law and the Prophets and the Psalms. He read all the words as addressed to him personally and as words about himself and his mission . When he was in the synagogue, but also at home and in the silence of nature. He kept the words all in his heart.
At various times Jesus explains to his disciples that Moses and the prophets speak of him. Even after his resurrection, when he joins those two disciples who return disappointed to their village Emmaus. They are saddened and confused because their master has died on the cross. He asks what is the matter. Then he answers: “O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the profets have spoken” Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concrening himsel
Peter, James and John are with Jesus on the mountain. Their eyes are lit. They see something only they can see and hear. Who Jesus really is. From heavenly perspective. And they hear from the cloud that surrounds them – image of the presence of God -: This is my beloved Son, hear him. Jesus thus revealed himself to them, to encourage them in advance. Because if they saw Jesus, abused, condemned, wounded, died on the cross, wouldn’t they drop out? Would not that ordeal be beyond their strength? With this image of the transfiguration on the mountain, Jesus promises them that he will not let them fall if they believe in him.
This vision will give them strength to endure the trial of their faith. Not just when they see what Jesus goes through to do the will of his heavenly Father and reveal God’s love to people. But it will also strengthen them if they themselves are tested by the suffering that befalls them because they remain faithful to Jesus and his glad tidings.
So Jesus also knew very well the story of Abraham that we have just read 2). It was read annually on a certain sabbath in the synagogue. It is about Abraham, the Father of all believers, with whom God makes a covenant. His progeny will be as numerous as the stars in the sky, not only so numerous but also so beautiful and radiant in the darkness. Such will be the people of God. But it will also face severe and prolonged trials, slave labor, opposition and disenfranchisement
This is pictured in the sacrifice Abraham must make. He must slaughter three times three animals in the middle and place them opposite each other . A cow, a goat and a ram. Those are animals that belonged to the household, close and subservient to human beings. The cow as milkproducer and draft animal. The buck, also a source of milk, but with a defense against the non-owner. And the ram who feels responsible for the herd. That they are split in half is a picture of the slavery, defenselessness and lawlessness that threatens to break the people. The birds are not bound to the earth. He was not allowed to split them into. These feathered feathered creatures are images of the refuge that God’s people are allowed to seek and find in God in times of tribulations. So Abraham sees in his dream what his descendants will suffer as a result of faithfulness to Abraham’s faith and God’s covenant. Abraham grows tired of chasing off the birds of prey that prey upon the flesh. He falls into a deep sleep of fear and darkness.
It is the same anguish that Jesus will endure in the Garden of Gethsemane as he envisions the suffering that awaits him. But even more frightening: the knowledge of what awaits his disciples and followers in the course of time. That they will be scattered in the world, that they will be persecuted and divided. That there will be times when faith seems to evaporate because a new generation doesn’t seem to want to pass the baton, as it does in our time.
But then a column of smoke and fire moves between the split animals. This is the image that God maintains His covenant. He heals the split halves. God will lead his people as a whole, undamaged, through all the tribulations. Despite everything, the strength of God’s people, of all believers, will not be broken.
Jesus knew that story of God’s covenant with Abraham. He not only knew it, he experienced it himself. He understood it as his way, his calling.
Dear brothers and sisters, in imitation of Jesus Christ, with his glorified image before our eyes, let us also remain faithful in all the trials that may yet lie ahead of us. Let’s not just believe as long as we are well doing. Like Abraham, we may hold our breath as we think about what awaits us personally and as a Church and as a human race. We may even be at a turning point in history. What will the war in Ukraine turn out to be? We feel powerless. It is a confusing time in every way. Let us continue to trust – yes even more intensely – May we as children of Abraham and as children of God shine like the stars in the sky, like countless points of light in the darkness. A voice from heaven says: This is my beloved Son, hear him. Amen
Martin Los, pr
1) Gospel reading this Sunday: Luke 9:28-36
2) 1st reading: Genesis 15:5-12,17-18
3) explanation of this sacrifice found with the Sefer Bereshiet commentary by Samson Rafael Hirsch (1808-1888). second edition completely revised by Isaac Levy 1976
Image: icon of Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain