2Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. 9As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Something about this text has always been an illusive text for me.
I don’t know what it is about the Transfiguration, but for some reason
this day in our lectionary has always puzzled me. This story appears in one form or another in
all three synoptic gospels, and therefore it appears on the final Sunday of
Epiphany, the Sunday before Lent every year. It’s a text that I have marked on my calendar
and to-do list every year because there is something about it that challenges
me more than the rest. I might even admit that it intimidates me.
I suppose I could find some comfort and reassurance with the
disciples in the passage since even they too were terrified by the experience. Peter comes across as a bumbling fool, unable
to process what happens. He even wrongly proposes that they set up tents
and stay in that place. Here is to hoping I don’t sounds like a bumbling
fool today too.
And although the lectionary gives me reason to confront this text
each and every year...something about it seems so elusive. I think more
than anything I’m caught in the specifics...Why did Jesus Transfigure...How did
he transfigure...what does transfigured even mean? Why Elijah and Moses? What did it look like? Why were only the inner circle of disciples
permitted on the mountain top?
And I wish, friends, oh how I wish I had the answers for us.
I
wish I could explain to you why Jesus is transfigured. In Freek,
literally transformed. I wish I could explain to you why only the inner
circle of disciples are present to witness it. I wish I could
explain why Moses and Elijah are present in the moment I wish I could tell you
what brand of bleach was used to make Jesus’ garments whiter than humanly
possible. I wish I could explain for us the
transfiguration, but the truth is I don’t think that I can.
The story intimidates me because I think that any attempt I or
we make to make sense of this spectacular glimpse of the resurrection. Any attempt to understand or draw conclusions about this story
would indeed fall short. Short of the glory and splendor the story
deserves. And I think commentator Matt Skinner gets it right when he says
“Maybe the transfigured Jesus isn’t supposed to be figured out. He’s
supposed to be appreciated.”
So how do we gain an appreciation for the transfigured Jesus?
What insight can we glean in order to fully appreciate the text for this
day. I think there are two perspectives worth considering in order to
appreciate this transfiguration event. First we can appreciate the placement of the transfiguration
story within the over gospel narrative according to Mark. Second, we should consider the placement of
the transfiguration story within our church calendar as it appears on the
Sunday between Epiphany and Lent.
Today’s story is nestled in the 9th chapter of Mark’s gospel
account. Actually it occurs in the middle of the gospel story. Prior to this story Jesus has been born,
baptized, and tempted. He is well into his public ministry. So far into it in fact that he will turn to
Jerusalem in just 2 more short chapters.
In the previous 8.5 chapters of Mark, Jesus has been healing,
teaching, preaching, praying, performing miracles, sharing parables, and
foretelling his death resurrection.
He has traveled around the edge of the sea of Galilee, into Tiberius, Caesarea
Philippi, Bethsaida, Galilee and more.
And of course, along for the journey are the disciples.
Those closest to Jesus have been with him every step of the way,
consistently witnessing his teachings, healings, and miracles. And as we
know, despite what they see and what they hear they repeatedly misunderstand
what it is they are witnessing.
Most recently, in the chapter prior to the transfiguration, Mark
tells the story of two important healing events. Frist Jesus is traveling through Decapolis,
and they bring him a deaf man. Jesus, of course heals the deaf man.
The text says they were astounded, and that Jesus even makes the deaf to
hear and mute speak.
A few verses later, they are traveling to Bethsaida, And they
bring a blind person to Jesus. Jesus of course heals the blind man. The
text says he saw everything clearly, and Jesus makes even the blind to see.
These two specific incidences where Jesus opens the eyes and
ears of those who can’t see or hear...Jesus offers a profound witness to the
power and message of God. And even though the disciples witnesses these
healings, they still don’t get it. Now Peter comes close and
confesses that Jesus “is the messiah.” But as soon as Jesus foretells his
death and resurrection…Peter rebukes him…and refuses to understand; to see and to
hear exactly what Jesus is telling them.
I can imagine Jesus sighing at Peter….thinking really...after
all that you have seen and heard? You...you don’t ...you don’t get it?
Even a little bit?
It’s in that moment that Jesus pulls this small inner circle of
disciples high up on a mountain for another perspective. And before them
he is transfigured.
For
that brief moment, they witness a glimpse of the resurrected Christ. A
glimpse of the promise that is to be fulfilled. A sneak
peak if you will into the full glory of God revealed in the God’s own son, in
whom God is well pleased. I imagine Jesus saying, “how about now?!”
In the transfiguration it becomes more apparent than ever that not only
is Jesus God’s son, the Messiah, but he is meant to be seen and heard by all.
The text goes on to tell us that the disciples did not know what
to say for they were terrified. They were in awe. Matthew tells us
that they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe. Mark and Luke say they were exceedingly
afraid. This glimpse of the resurrected Christ…Christ who is to be seen
and heard, something the disciples have yet to figure out or understand leaves
them in awe.
And perhaps this is the part that we aren’t supposed to figure
out, as Matt Skinner suggested. We are supposed to figure out why Jesus
is with Moses and Elijah….or why Jesus is shining so bright and bleached.
Perhaps this is
where we best relate to the disciples and we are to be filled with awe. Much like that moment in worship where our
sins are proclaimed as forgiven and we catch a glimpse of God’s grace. Or the moment when we the body and blood of
Christ are given and we can for a moment taste and see that the Lord is good.
This is the moment we are to appreciate because God speaks and
reminds us clear as day that Jesus IS The one called for. Jesus is the
messiah. Jesus is the God’s son sent to live among God’s people. Jesus is the light shining, not only on the mountain top, but in
all darkness throughout the world. We are to appreciate this moment
because it is a pure glimpse of the resurrection, and for the disciples a sign
of the promise to come.
Epiphany, the season of the manifestation of Christ to the world
began with Jesus’ baptism. The heavens were torn open and God said, “This
is my son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
Our Epiphany season ends today with a similar declaration by
God. “This is my son, the beloved, listen to him.” Our final Epiphany moment
this season is a glimpse of the resurrection. So not only is Christ made known to the world
as the Messiah and son of God, but Christ is the promise of salvation for all
peoples. The perfecter of faith who will overcome sin death and the
devil.
This week we enter into the season of Lent. It is season
of reflection and contemplation about the suffering cost of discipleship.
It is a remembrance that even in the darkest of times, such as the
crucifixion, God prevails. It is a season of self-examination and
evaluation of the call to discipleship. Lent is not about re-enacting
Christ’s death. Christ has died…and Christ has risen. And therefore Lent is an intentional walk
through the trial, persecution, betrayal, suffering, and death of Christ.
It is an examination and appreciation of our God-given lives and
mortality in Christ.
It makes sense then that we end our Epiphany season and begin
our Lenten discipline with a glimpse of the transfigured, resurrected Christ.
To remind us that throughout lent. As we remember and reflect. As we exam and confess. We do so in the light of the one
and only who saved. God through the Jesus Christ. Our Lenten
journey is only possible by the grace of God in Jesus Christ. Our self-reflection is only possible because
Christ shines perpetually within our lives. God never leaves us in the
depth and death of Lent, and is always present to bring us through to the
celebration of the resurrection dawn.
The Good News for us is that the light, the light of the
transfigured Christ is far more contagious and far more powerful than all the
darkness of the world. It’s the light that shines in our baptism
when we too are transfigured into children of God. We are transformed by
God’s grace, washed by the water, bleached if you will or our sins and made
alive in Christ. And rather than ever
have to reason with the darkness, we hold in the hope found in the transfigured
Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
© Pastor Daniel Locke, preached 02.11.2018 @ St. Mark's Lutheran Jacksonville, FL
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