Dear one,
In approximately three weeks, I will stand before a congregation of approximately fifty to sixty Romanian worshippers, our sisters and brothers of the Betel Church of Giurgiu. It will be my pleasure and privilege to share with them, knowing that Nicu Bragadireanu will once again ably translate my thoughts and gestures.
Given that we are in the season of Lent, faithfully observed by the Orthodox church of Romania, if not by Romania’s Protestant churches, I plan to share from Mark 9:2-8, the account of Jesus’ transfiguration. You might recall that this incident occurred after Peter’s confession: he both rightly and wrongly identified Jesus as “the Christ”; and after Jesus’ stringent call to deny one’s self, take up one’s cross, and follow Him. Thereafter, Jesus ascended a high mountain with Peter, James, and John.
However we understand that mountain top experience—which I do not doubt; and however Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus, the import of that moment is found in these words: “This is my Beloved Son: hear Him.” That is, within the context of that moment, the Heavenly imperative “to hear or listen to Him” is placed in juxtaposition to Jesus’ dialogical partners, Moses and Elijah. And yet, of the three, finally only Jesus remained, underscoring this message: Jesus supersedes the Law (i.e. Moses) and the Prophets (i.e. Elijah). He does not negate their word, but His is the final word—and if you will, because He is the Word of God.
Nonetheless, if we are to hear Him, quickly the question surfaces, as our dear Romanians will likely ask: But how—how do we hear Him, since we are continually subjected to many voices, messages, and words?
“Beginning with the Gospels,” I will answer them, “and amplified by the remainder of the New Testament, but always to be understood in relation to the Old Testament, Jesus as the Word of God, His character and works, are manifest. Within our several Protestant traditions, we emphasize knowing the Scriptures: not as a badge of intelligence, not as a symbol of power or manipulation, not as a sign of inclusion or exclusion; rather, we turn to the Scriptures, in order to hear the One Voice who speaks with the authority of creative, sacrificial love. Not to be simplistic, but Lent encourages: take time to be quiet; take time to listen, and once you have heard Him, act according to His word and life.”
Hearing: easier said than done, but essential if we want to know and follow Him.
Hopefully,
Stan
Ps. Your giving means my sharing with Romanian pastors, who impact some 2000 lives.
2019: R-U-M "Hearing"