February 3, Jesus’ Transfiguration:
The gospel account of Jesus’
transfiguration is a strange, dream-like story, rich and wonderful in its
mystery. In this glorious moment on the
mountain, the veil is pulled away and we see who Jesus is – he shines through
as the divine Son of God.
In this vision, God grants
the disciples to see what otherwise would have been invisible to mortal
perception. Peter, James and John see
their Jesus shining with the glory of God – the teacher they have chosen to follow
chatting the two heroes of their faith, Moses and
Elijah.
Peter is almost speechless –
but not quite – and blurts out “It is
good Lord to be here. If you want I’ll
make three shelters…”
Then from the cloud, a voice
thunders:
"This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well
pleased; listen to him!" Matthew
17:4,5
Upon hearing who Jesus really is – the Son of God - the disciples are overcome with fear – a holy fear – a
combination of awe and wonder and reverence.
They realize they are in the
presence of God – and that God is holy and we are not – that there is some
distance between us and God.
This isn’t the only time
they’ve had that experience. When Jesus
assists his disciples after a night of fishing failure, and they bring in a
miraculous catch of fish, they feel that same holy fear and awe. Peter fell to his knees and said Lord please leave
me, for I am too sinful to be with you.
When Jesus calms the wind and
the waves, saving the disciples in the boat, they feel fear and wonder: Who He? Even the wind and waves obey Him. When the women come out to the tomb on that
first Easter morning, and find the tomb empty, they are afraid.
Time and again, Jesus has to
say to his disciples, “Don’t be afraid.”
He wouldn’t have to tell them not to be afraid if they were not afraid.
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When some great poet
attempted to characterize our age, he called it the “age of anxiety”. Maybe it’s a reaction to 9-11. One candidate in the presidential primaries
would talk about the terrorist threat, and then say “I’m the one who will
protect you”. He tried to play on that
fear.
Or on a more personal level,
your doctor comes in after your yearly physical and says, “There’s a
problem. We need to do more tests. I am concerned about something.”
Your reaction is more than
curiosity and wonder. It’s probably
fear.
When something disrupts your
accustomed flow of things, then there may be anxiety. What will tomorrow bring? What will happen in my life?
As a congregation, do we face
our future with confidence – or with fear?
Fear because we’re not sure that we will be able to meet our
commitments, for we don’t know what the future holds.
Jesus comes to us and says,
“Get up and don’t be afraid. I am here
with you, at your side. Together we’ll
get through this.”
Can we trust His word: “My
grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
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But there is something else
that could make the disciples afraid this time.
This chapter begins, “it was six days later”. The event in today’s gospel is tied to what
preceded it. For six days these
disciples have been stewing about Jesus shocking teaching: when he gets to
Peter just couldn’t believe
it and protested that it is impossible to conceive of the Messiah being
rejected, or being killed.
But Jesus rebuked Peter and
then added ”If you want to follow me, then you must deny yourself, take up your
own cross, and follow me.”
For six days the disciples,
in whispered conversations have been debating this. Now the voice from heaven says
"This is my Son, the Beloved; with
him I am well pleased; listen to him!" Matthew 17:4,5
Jesus’ teaching has been
confirmed by the highest authority. God
is pleased with Jesus’ obedient acceptance of His role as the suffering
servant.
What have they gotten
themselves into? What will be their
fate?
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College chaplain Will Willamon told about a young man who came to his office and
began the conversation saying: “Look, you’re sort of an expert on God? Well some strange things are happening in my
life, strange coincidences. I hope you
will tell me this has nothing to do with God.
But I’m afraid it might.”
The he went on to tell of a
series of coincidences and happenstances and realizations. When he finished the chaplain said: “Well in
my expert opinion, this all suspiciously sounds like the voice of God. I think the Lord is intruding into your life,
attempting to get you to do something.”
“Oh no,” the young man
moaned. “I was afraid you were going to
says that.”
He was a smart young man, and
knew enough about the Bible to know that encounters with God can be demanding –
deeply moving, but also fearful, as well as life transforming.
On the mountaintop, Jesus
doesn’t simply reveal his true identity to his followers, but he demands that
they take up their cross and follow him – that they walk the path that he walks
– all the way to
No wonder the disciples fall
to the ground in fear. And no wonder
Jesus had to come and touch them, saying “Get
up and do not be afraid.”
Maybe we need to hear Christ
saying that to each one of us
We have been called and
chosen to follow Jesus, who put Himself totally at the disposal of the
mysterious will of God – and expects us to do the same.
Following Christ is about
seeing His way and will in your world – a way very different from our ways –
and then having to say “yes’ or “no” to walking in that way – His way.
We may be fearful that the
cost of following Jesus may be too high.
We know ourselves and our limitations.
Will He ask more than we are capable of? – More than we are willing to
do?
Yet he speaks the same words
to us “Follow me” and sets us to work on the tasks which he has to fulfill for
our time and place.
The transfiguration is a
glimpse of the future: the glorified Lord with Moses and Elijah. Jesus will be leaving His earthly ministry
behind – passing it on the mantle of the kingdom to His fearful disciples. This is the first step in commissioning them
as His apostles. The call for these
lowly fishermen is to become something greater – to embody His loving purpose
and carry on His mission.
"This is my Son… Listen to him!" Matthew 17:4,5
Those same words are spoken
for our sakes. Like those first
disciples on that day of Transfiguration, we worship the Lord and listen to
Him. Christ has called and chosen us to
continue his ministry here in this place, just as he called them.
His charge to us is Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded
you… Matthew 28:19
So in addition to gathering
for worship, our task as a church is to make disciples by nurturing one another
– encouraging and helping each member to grow in the faith.
But the first word in His
charge to us is “Go”. He calls us to something greater – to be
workers for His kingdom. We are to seek
out and welcome others – those outside our fellowship – so they can express
their faith and grow with us – thus enriching us.
What would the Lord have us
do to fulfill the mission he has given us?
It’s not always easy to
discern God’s will – to tell the difference between my good idea and God’s
plan. So the specifics will take
conversation and prayer, deliberation and reflection. That’s why we have congregational meetings
and committees and a church council – so that we can reason together and listen
for His voice.
As a congregation, and as
individuals, if we strive to follow Jesus – to walk with him, then we’ll remain
close to him. So if our vision isn’t
clear – if we make mistakes, stumble and fall – Christ is near to pick us up
and put us back on the right path.
Christ would reassure you, tell you to “Get up and do not be afraid.” And
continue to follow Him. He has promised
to be with you every step of the way, no matter what the journey holds.
And to those who obey,
whether they be wise or simple, Christ will reveal himself in their toil and
work, in their conflicts and sufferings which they pass through in His
fellowship – and as a mystery, they shall experience His presence in their
lives.
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Lord Jesus, you have chosen
us and called us. Give us what we need
to be faithful followers.
Lord we confess that at times
we feel you ask too much from us, and expect us to be more than we think we can
be.
Lord help
us when we are afraid. Heal us of our
anxieties. Guide us to trust your word:
“My grace is sufficient for you.” Give us that which we do not have on our own
– bold courageous determination to follow you no matter where you lead.