Transformed

About eight days later, Jesus took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.  As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.
– Luke 9:28-29

Transformed.  Meeting Jesus changed them.  It still does.  Jesus was transfigured before their very eyes.  His clothes were light lightning and his face changed.  They saw visions of Moses and Elijah standing and talking with Jesus.  They saw Jesus in a more true-to-life form, as God-holy, and illuminated.  They truly saw Jesus.

When we look at one another do we see the imago dei (the image of God) on their faces?  Do we really see each other?  Or do we simply see the strong protective face people wear in order to make it in this hard world?  When we are able to look past the job, education, family, experiences, we can actually see the person before us.  We can see the beloved child of God with hopes and fears, struggles and celebrations, a person just like us, in need of a savior.

One of my favorite songs growing up is, “Have You Seen Jesus My Lord?”  One of the verses says, “Have you ever stood in the family, with the Lord there in your midst, seen the face of Christ on each other, then I say… You’ve seen Jesus my Lord.”  Do I have eyes to see Jesus around me on the face of friend and stranger?  Would it change the way I speak, act, and react to that individual?

Question for the week:  How do I see Jesus?

Our loving Father, from Thy hand have come all the days of the past. To Thee we look for whatever good the future holds. We are not satisfied with the world as we have found it. It is too little the kingdom of God as yet. Grant us the privilege of a part in its regeneration. We are looking for a new earth in which dwells righteousness. It is our prayer that we may be children of light, the kind of people for whose coming and ministry the world is waiting. Amen.  (prayer by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)