When you think of your heavenly Father, what sort of “father” do you have in mind? A kindly father perhaps. Or a stern father? A harsh disciplinarian? A lenient father? When you pray, “Our Father, who art in heaven” what images run through your mind? I suppose a lot may depend on what sort of father you had while growing up.

What is the Christian response to tragedy and disaster? To innocent suffering and death? To acts of terrorism and persecution? We’ve had two major earthquakes within a couple of months of each other. Large scale loss of life and property. Massive injuries. Untold suffering. Think of the past decade: 9/11 terrorism, subway bombings in Madrid , tsunamis, wars, genocides, you name the disaster. How does the disciple of Jesus respond?

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!” (Luke 13:31-35)

The Pharisees, aka the “religious types” are at it once again. This time they appear as though they were doing Jesus a favor. Jesus was likely in Perea, Herod’s territory, and the Pharisees come to Jesus with an insider tip. “Herod wants to kill you. Better pick up and leave this place. The funny thing was, the Pharisees wanted to kill Jesus too. They’d been plotting it for over a year. They just couldn’t figure out when and where.

The Transfiguration of Jesus is a bit like those movie previews they play before the featured attraction, the ones narrated by the guy with the big voice. They reveal just enough of the movie to make you want to see it, without giving away too much of the plot. Coming soon to a theater near you. A sneak preview of coming attractions. And that’s what the Transfiguration is. A sneak peak, a glimpse of Jesus’ glory as the Son of God and the coming attraction of the kingdom He brings with His dying and rising.

“Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” - Luke 5:10

Again Jesus is preaching the Word. It’s been a running theme over the last several Sundays. He preaches in Nazareth; He preaches in Capernaum. Today He preaches at the shore of the Sea of Galilee, here called the Lake of Gennesaret. Same body of water. Here the synagogue is an informal gathering, a crowd that has formed and is pressing in on Jesus, eager to hear the Word. His pulpit is Simon’s fishing boat which Jesus presses into service. The fishermen were mending their nets after a fruitless night of work, and the boat would provide a little distance between Jesus and crowd so everyone could hear.