See His Majesty
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1: 16 - 21 (NIV)
For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
19We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Message: See His Majesty
Constitutional Monarchy
Canada is a constitutional monarchy - we have a monarch (King Charles) and he is known as the head of the government
After democratic elections, after the people has spoken, the king asks the leader of winning party to form a government
Canada’s military is serving the King and carries it the official name of some of the branches - Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadain Air Force (Army is only the “Canadian Army”? - and the collective name is only “Canadian Armed Forces”?)
When you become a Canadian, you perform an oath of allegiance to the King
The oath of citizehsip: “I swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, King of Canada His Heirs and Successors And that I will faithfully observe The laws of Canada Including the Constitution Which recognizes and affirms The Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples And fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen.”
We (Basson family) are still growing in our understanding of this relationship with a king, coming from a republic
The recent chaos in the world order, brought a fresh understanding of the value of a monarchy
I do think that there is unifying factor that republics don’t have - serving in government under a ceremonial king
I was inspired to see the picture of the prime minister, leader of the opposition and the governer general holding hands at a vigil for Tumbler Ridge shooting victims
I can’t remember seeing political opponents holding hands in mourning, south of the border these days…
Transfiguration
On Transfiguration Sunday, we reflect on the meaning of what the apostles withnessed on the holy mountain, when Jesus stood with Elijah and Moses and God spoke the word of annointment: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
There is highly symbolic meaning to the events of the transfiguration - Moses and Elijah - representing the Law and the Prophets and Jesus being announced as God’s intervention in this world
Peter describes it is like the coronation ceremony of a king: we were eyewitnesses of his majesty
It was magnificent, not something that they could think up for themselves
It was a ceremonial moment that impacted the elect few who withnessed it, deeply
It shaped the language of their ministry - taking it beyond discipleship where a rabbi is followed - they now called Him Lord (Jawhe) and understood the words of Jesus in a different way when He spoke of a new kindom coming…
They now saw themselves as servants (subjects)
Their relationship with this Rabbi went to a next level - to places where they never could imagine
And it time that followed, throught he suffering and eventual execution of Jesus, they would go through many reflections of the meaning of what happened that day on the mountain
See His Majesty
When Peter wrote about it in our Scripture reading, he called on the followers of Jesus to see his majesty
Today, in our faith practice, we are called to see the Majesty of Jesus
Our connection with Him is deeper than just a symbolic connection
Our connection with our King inspires us to serve and devote our lives to His service
Our connection with our King brings security in our existance
The gospel singer Michale W Smith describes Jesus as the King of his heart:
“Let the King of my heart be the mountain where I run, the fountain I drink from, Oh, He is my song! Let the King of my heart, be the shadow where I hide, the ransom for my life, Oh, He is my song!”
“And let the King of my heart be the wind inside my sails, the anchor in the waves, Oh, He is my song! Let the King of my heart be the fire inside my veins, the echo of my days Oh-oh, He is my song!”
These words reflect what Peter meant when he said “see His Majesty”
A light shining in a dark place
When we hear this call to “see His Majesty”, it is a call for us to intentionally find inspiration in the meaning of calling Jesus our King
In the dark places we encounter, our King is a shining light
In our uncertainties, He is a shining light
In our doubts, He is a shining light
In our sorrows, He is a shining light
In our physical struggles, He is a shining light
In our mental health challenges, He is a shining light
In our relationship difficulties, He is a shining light
In our tiredness, He is a shining light
Whatever the challenge we face, we are called to see his Majesty and discover the light he brings into our darkness
Let the King of my heart be the mountain where I run, the fountain I drink from,
Let the King of my heart, be the shadow where I hide, the ransom for my life
Let the King of my heart be the wind inside my sails, the anchor in the waves
Let the King of my heart be the fire inside my veins, and the echo of my days!
AMEN
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