Last Sunday after Epiphany – March 2, 2025

Every once in a while, I pull out a kids’ sermon for adults… not because I think adults can’t understand the usual sermons I give, but because it’s important for us to all have some play time in our lives. Today is one of those days, and I’m going to ask you to play along the best way that you can!

How many of you have you ever had something that glows in the dark? I am not talking about a battery-powered light-up toy or a glow stick that you must snap and shake to get it to glow. I am talking about a toy or ball that glows due to the light that shines on it before you place it in the dark. Have you ever had a toy, ball, or sticker on the wall of your room that glows like that? 

If you have, you know that it will glow much brighter if you hold it close to a light bulb for a few moments before you turn off the lights. The objects are made of a special material that soaks up energy from the light and then gives off its own light.

Today, in our passages of scripture, one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament, we have stories of light. The first passage teaches us that whenever Moses talked to God, his face would shine afterward. Moses had come down from the mountain after he received the Ten Commandments from God. When he came off the mountain, his face shone because he had been standing in God’s presence. Being so close to God and talking to God made Moses become more like God. His face glowed with the light of heaven. Other people noticed it before Moses did. Looking at Moses’s face helped the people know how glorious God is.

In today’s second scripture passage, we read how Jesus took three of his closest friends, James, Peter, and John, up to the top of a mountain with him. While they were up there, something amazing happened! Jesus changed before their eyes. He changed from an ordinary-looking man into someone with shining clothes, like an angel. It was as if a light had begun to shine brightly inside Jesus. His face and body and even his clothes began to shine brightly.

The event we are talking about is called “Transfiguration.” Jesus was suddenly shining as bright as the sun. He was full of light! Jesus shining so powerfully and brightly terrified the disciples. Then they saw two other people in the light. There – beside Jesus – stood Moses and Elijah. You heard earlier about Moses’s experience on the mountaintop. A bright cloud covered Jesus and the disciples, and the disciples heard a voice. It wasn’t just anyone’s voice; it was the voice of God coming from the cloud. God’s voice said, “This is my Son, and I love him. I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!”

The disciples realized they were in God’s presence and fell flat on their faces in fear. Jesus comforted them and encouraged them to get back up. At that moment, the disciples had caught a glimpse of who Christ was. When Jesus came to Earth, he was both human and divine. People had been waiting for a Savior for a long time and wondered what he would be like. Peter, James, and John wondered too! They thought Jesus was the one they had been waiting for, and this “transfiguration” on the mountain made them completely positive. Seeing Jesus transformed and shining so brightly and hearing God’s voice made them certain of who they were following. Jesus was truly God.

We can learn something from both passages… We don’t speak to God face-to-face the way Moses did or hear God’s voice aloud as the disciples did, but whenever we pray, we spend time with God. This time alone with God prepares us to be faithful to God. Whenever we worship, we are showing our honest selves to God. Whenever we accept God’s forgiveness for something we have done wrong or enjoy the love and kindness of others, we are soaking up the love that God has for us. That proves that God wants to have a relationship with us.

Just like the glow-in-the-dark toy that gets energy from light, we get energy and power from the love God offers us. Then we give off a light that shines brightly! Our faces may not glow as Moses’s face did. We may not be as shiny as Jesus appeared, but we can still pass on that light and love of God to others. When we do that, we may not see God’s glow on our faces, but others will notice it.

It reminds me of a song that we all should know. Can you help me out here as we sing a verse of “This Little Light of Mine”?

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

My friends, when you have God’s love in your life, your face will show it. People will feel God’s love through a shared smile or warm greeting. They will feel God’s presence through silent prayer and conversation or handclapping praise and worship.

This beautiful face of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This beautiful face of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This beautiful face of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

I wonder who you will encounter this week who will see your face glow with the love of God. How will you make your face shine for others? How can you share God’s love with people you spend time with this week?

Have you ever felt the joy in someone else? It’s such a good feeling. Have you ever noticed that a smile is contagious? Nothing needs to be said. No words need to be spoken. A big broad grin across your face can show others that you are in God’s presence and that God loves you. And that can help people know the glory of God.

As I sing again, I invite you to find someone in this room. Look at them. Make eye contact with them. Are you looking at them? When you sing this verse, smile at them. Show them that they are in the presence of God as your face shines.

This beautiful face of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This beautiful face of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This beautiful face of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

God, thank you for listening to my prayers and for being present with me wherever I go. Thank you for your light and love. Help me to reflect light and love in my life so that others will feel your presence and love. Amen.