Transfiguration, Ashes, and Revival

Epiphany intensified

Dear ones,

This Sunday is Transfiguration and this Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. In some ways they are the mountain top and valley low of epiphany. The Epiphany season isn’t ending, it is intensifying. There is an epiphany of the glory of God on the mountain, and an epiphany of our desperation in the valley. You can read the account of Transfiguration in Matthew 17.1-9. Glorious! Especially after Peter stops talking! And the disciples start listening, and enjoying, and participating. English poet and priest, Malcolm Guite, from his Transfiguration sonnet:

The Love that dances at the heart of things

Shone out upon us from a human face

And to that light the light in us leaped up,

We felt it quicken somewhere deep within,

A sudden blaze of long-extinguished hope

Trembled and tingled through the tender skin.

Nor can this blackened sky, this darkened scar

Eclipse that glimpse of how things really are.

“How things really are.” 

How are things really? Are they glorious or are they desperate? Both. And, Jesus is the glorious God of the mountain and the gracious God in the valley. Jesus only.

This week, Trinity will welcome the other Pastor Hoff. Nathan’s family, Herb and Gail and David will be will us for the next two weeks, bringing us God’s gracious word and sacrament. Pastor Herb has served parishes in rural, suburban, and more urban settings in Minnesota, Washington, and California. After retiring, he has continued ministering in interim capacities when called. 

A quick word on the revival at Asbury in Kentucky. When God is evidently enjoying his people and his people are evidently enjoying him, it is occasion to rejoice! And, pray. Pray that this season of refreshing would be extended–even to us. Revival is like the Mount of Transfiguration and the Valley of Ash Wednesday. God’s gracious glory meeting the desperate human condition. My view (with Tim Keller, J.I. Packer, and others) is that revival is an intensification of the ordinary. Ordinary repentance is intensified. Ordinary prayer is intensified. Ordinary daily grace is intensified. Ordinary worship is intensified. Pray that we would continue in the ordinary ways of following Jesus, and that the Spirit of God would intensify our shared life with a visitation of his extraordinary kindness. The best way to participate in the reviving work of God is to enjoy, savor, delight in him. Here and now. He delights in you. He brings you to his banqueting table. His banner over you is love. Jesus’ peace, Nathan