"Glimpsed and gone the revelation, they shall gain and keep its truth, Not by building on the mountain any shrine or sacred booth, But by following the Savior through the valley to the cross And by testing faith's resilience through betrayal, pain, and loss.
"Lord, transfigure our perception with the purest light that shines, And recast our life's intentions to the shape of Your designs, Till we seek no other glory than what lies past Calv'ry's hill And our living and our dying and our rising by Your will."
Even if we are reluctant to admit it, we might like to experience a little glory. Whatever glory is, it is something that athletes and entertainers seem to have, and we would like to have a taste of it. Although, we would prefer to skip the work it takes to achieve such glory. Some people want their faith to be about earthly glory, too. They seek out churches and teachers that promise health, wealth, and success. No problems, no struggles, just prosperity, but that is not the glory Jesus promises.
Peter, James, and John were given a glimpse of Jesus' glory and divine majesty as He was transfigured before them. Jesus' clothing became white as light and His face shone like the sun. The prophets Moses and Elijah appeared to speak with Him. Peter, overcome by the experience, wanted to stay on that mountain, but when the Father spoke from heaven, the three disciples fell face down in terror. Then the glory faded, and they looked up to see "no one but Jesus only" (Matthew 17:8b). They would soon learn that lasting glory is found only "by following the Savior through the valley to the cross." During Lent will we follow the Savior as He takes His last steps to the cross, where He died for our sins and for the sins of the world. We watch with the sight of faith as His body is taken down from the cross and sealed in a tomb, and we catch a glimpse of glory just three days later on Easter morning.
The week before His transfiguration, Jesus told His disciples about His arrest, death, and resurrection. The disciples did not yet understand what rising from the dead meant, but they understood arrest and death. They did not want that to happen to their Lord, but Jesus said His followers must walk that same difficult road: "If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24b). Following Jesus, we pray in the words of our hymn, "Recast our life's intentions to the shape of Your designs." His design for our lives forms the shape of a cross, so even when we experience persecution, suffering, or sorrow, "we seek no other glory" than to follow Jesus.
WE PRAY: Jesus, help me to follow closely in Your steps and conform my life to Your own. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, "Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory," which is number 416 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
1. Can you give an example of someone receiving "glory" in this life?
2. How can following Jesus closely in our lives bring Him honor?
3. Receiving the world's attention or "glory" can be enticing. What's the best way to stay grounded when we find our head in the clouds over how great we are?
Today's Bible Readings: Leviticus 14 Mark 8:1-21
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