Pulpit Message Introduction for Feb. 3

Pulpit Message Introduction for last Sunday of Epiphany
Christ-light spreads as Christ’s power and presence are made known in the world. On Transfiguration Sunday, we remember the mountain-top experience of those closest to Jesus, for whom holy light blazed into a blinding revelation of who Jesus actually is. In a vision, they see Jesus “transfigured” before them, standing with Moses and Elijah—suggesting that both law and prophesy affirm the mission of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.
Jesus is affirmed on the top of a mountain. Then he comes down from the mountain to enter once more into the suffering and sin of the world. Jesus looks down from his mountain-top glory and sees into the valley of shadow. Ahead lies Jerusalem where Israel’s prophets have been betrayed, and where Jesus’ own role as the “suffering servant” comes into play.
Jesus has already begun to speak with his disciples about his sorrow-filled path down the mountain. The unavoidable question for the disciples—and for us—is “Will we follow?” Will we “save our life” or “take up the cross”? Will we stand before the rage of the world bearing only our love? What do we fear?

講壇信息介紹
基督的光輝在基督顯能力和與人同在的生活中不斷彰顯。今天易容顯光的主日，我們看見基督如何在山上向祂最愛的門徒變像，榮光把他們的眼睛也弄瞎了，他們就了悟到耶穌真正是誰。在異象中他們看見摩西，以利亞同耶穌說話。意思是說耶穌完成彌賽亞使命是得到律法和先知的印證的。
耶穌在山上得到肯定後，便下山返回這個痛苦和罪惡的世界。從榮耀的山峰到死陰的幽谷。在祂面前是耶路撒冷，是以色列先知被出賣的地方，也是耶穌擔當受苦僕人角色的場所。
耶穌已經開始對門徒講解下山所要走的痛苦之路。門徒和我們今天要面對的，就是這些不可避免的問題：“我們願意跟從嗎？”“我們要救自己生命”還是“背起十字架”？我們願意只憑著愛面對這個兇殘的世界嗎？我們害怕的是甚麼？