Glory and Resilience: 2nd Sunday in Lent

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Let's Get Started – Two Things Just for You!

First, in a moment a quick look at my book, The Way of Grace, to find our study on The Transfiguration for this week.

Secondly, as a bonus I have prepared thumbnail sketches of all 4 lectionary readings for this Sunday, which you'll find under This Week in Lent below. This extra material is not in the book, so it's my gift to you as we continue on our journey.

Now, back to the book study for this week: You may be thinking, "We observed Transfiguration Sunday on March 2, so why are we looking at it again?"

On the second Sunday of Lent, The Transfiguration is an optional reading I chose for The Way of Grace. This tradition dates back to the ancient Eastern Church, featuring the glory of Christ before Jesus begins to encounter opposition. The Transfiguration amazes us, creating an appropriate contrast to the Temptation of Christ on the first Sunday.

So, let's get to The Transfiguration on this Second Sunday in Lent –

Week 2: When Waiting Means Wonder

Book Location: Week 2, page 22, The Way of Grace: Gospel Stories for Lent

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36 NRSV

"Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 

²⁹ And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 

³⁰ Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. ³¹ They appeared in glory and were speaking about his exodus, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem. 

³² Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep, but as they awoke they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. ³³ Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah,” not realizing what he was saying. 

³⁴ While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” 

³⁶ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen." - Luke 9:28-36 NRSVue

So, this week, turn to Week 2: When Waiting Means Wonder, page 22 in the print copy. There you'll find an experience I had at an Easter sunrise service when I saw God's natural glory on display. I think you'll appreciate the story, and the study featuring The Transfiguration.

For those who want more, here are all 4 lectionary readings for this second Sunday of Lent. Read through these and you'll see a common theme: standing firm, resilience, unshakeable faith, and constant commitment.

This Week in Lent

Standing Firm: Faith in the Face of Uncertainty

Lectionary Readings: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Luke 13:31-35

The Journey Through Lent

As we continue moving forward, we're at a crossroads of faith and doubt. This Sunday's readings bring us face-to-face with a fundamental struggle: How do we hold onto faith when God's promises seem to be running late?

I. Waiting in the Darkness – Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 NIV

The Story: Abram's story in Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 pulls us into the raw honesty of faith that questions. Here's a man who had been following God's call for years, and yet he stands childless, wondering if God's promises will ever come to pass.

"O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless?"

Abram's question echoes across the centuries into our own uncertainties. How many of us have asked similar questions: "God, when will you fulfill what you've promised? When will I see evidence of your work in my life?"

The Result: God's response isn't immediate fulfillment but an invitation to deeper trust. Abram is asked to look at the stars – countless, beyond numbering – and believe that his descendants would be equally abundant. The text tells us simply that "Abram believed the Lord," yet even his belief doesn't eliminate his need for reassurance: "How am I to know?"

Insight for Today: Faith isn't the absence of questions. It's continuing to trust even while the questions remain.

II. Standing Firm When Surrounded – Psalm 27 NIV

The Story: The writer in Psalm 27 gives voice to this persistent faith: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" These aren't empty words from someone who's never known trouble. The psalm speaks of enemies, false witnesses, and adversity. This is battle-tested faith, forged in difficulty.

The Outcome: "I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." The psalmist holds this conviction not because life has been easy, but despite the fact that it hasn't been.

Insight for Today: The final words of the psalm offer practical wisdom for our own moments of uncertainty: "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"

Sometimes the most courageous act of faith is simply to wait, to hold our ground rather than rushing toward our own solutions.

III. Citizens of Another Kingdom – Philippians 3:17-4:1 NIV

The Story: Paul's letter to the Philippians reminds the community that standing firm requires remembering who they truly are: citizens of heaven, not defined by earthly standards or limited by earthly powers.

The Outcome: "Our citizenship is in heaven," he writes, reminding them that their true identity and allegiance lie beyond the Roman Empire that surrounded them. In a world that pulled them toward conformity, Paul called them to stand firm in their distinct identity in Christ.

Insight for Today: How relevant for our time. Daily we navigate systems and structures that often pressure us to compromise and conform. Standing firm means remembering our real citizenship is in God's kingdom, not Caesar's – and living according to its values, even when they clash with the dominant culture around us.

IV. Love That Persists Despite Rejection – Luke 13:31-35 NIV

The Story: The Gospel reading brings us to Jesus on his journey toward Jerusalem – and toward his death. When warned about Herod's threat, Jesus remains resolute: "I must be on my way." His commitment to his mission doesn't waver, even knowing what it will cost him.

The Outcome: But the most striking part of this passage isn't Jesus' determination; it's his grief over Jerusalem. "How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!"

Insight for Today: Here is love that persists despite rejection. Here is the heart of God revealed – not vengeful or distant, but aching with the longing to protect and gather those who turn away. Even as Jesus walks toward his own suffering, his concern is for those who reject him.

Reflect: Finding Our Place in These Stories

These readings invite us to locate ourselves in their narratives. Where are we in these ancient stories?

• Are we like Abram, faithful but questioning, needing reassurance that God's promises still hold?
• Are we like the psalmist, surrounded by difficulty yet declaring trust in God's goodness even before we see it manifest?
• Are we like the Philippians, tempted to compromise our kingdom values to fit more comfortably in the world around us?
• Or are we like Jerusalem – offered divine protection but unwilling to receive it, keeping God at arm's length rather than allowing ourselves to be gathered under the wings of mercy?

Perhaps we find ourselves in each of these positions at different moments of our lives. Faith isn't static; it's a dynamic relationship that evolves through seasons of certainty and doubt, compliance and resistance, clarity and confusion.

Lent as a Season of Honest Faith

This is why Lent matters. These forty days invite us to examine our faith honestly – not the faith we think we should have, but the faith we actually possess. Lent creates space for our questions and doubts, our hesitations and fears. It acknowledges the darkness that sometimes falls upon us, as it fell upon Abram in his vision.

What does it mean for us to "stand firm" today?

• It means continuing to trust God's promises even when fulfillment seems delayed.
• It means declaring faith in God's goodness even when surrounded by evidence to the contrary.
• It means remembering our true citizenship and living by its values, even when they clash with the world around us.
• It means loving persistently, even when that love isn't returned.

Prayer: Lord, when our faith wavers, when your promises seem distant, help us to stand firm. Like Abram, may we believe despite our questions. Like the psalmist, may we declare your goodness even in difficulty. Like Paul encouraged the Philippians, may we remember our true citizenship. And like Jesus, may we love persistently, even when that love costs us. Amen.

And now, Buddy and his favorite pasttime –