Exodus 24: 12-18 (New Jerusalem Bible)
Matthew 17: 1-9 (CEB)
This Sunday the gospel reading tells about the mystical transfiguration of Jesus. This reading has transfigured Jesus in ways that reveal the glory of the divine mystery that transcend the pages of scripture into the realms of the cosmos. The luminous cloud was part of Israel’s historical background. It stood for the Shechinah which was the glory of Almighty God.
The urge to contain the mystery of the transfiguration of Jesus was the goal of the disciple called Peter. Back during the Exodus, followers of Moses wanted to worship something that was approachable. Something they could see, touch and claim as their own. The Ultimate Reality that Moses encountered in the burning bush, Yahweh, the great I Am, Who Am, seemed too distant and unapproachable. So they forced Moses’ brother, Aaron, to build a golden idol. So up in the mountain top, Peter, James and John saw something in Jesus they wanted to contain, like their ancestors, something a little more manageable than the imaginations Jesus evoked in them. They wanted to build three shrines, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah. Contain this mystery in acceptable ways. In other words, let us settle for less than explore this great mystery. We will instead worship what we can understand within our limited mindset. We can think that way even today. Only one religion has all the answers, or only one denomination within that one religion has all the answers. And we will continue to think that way until someone says, do not be afraid. Open your eyes.
So as Peter, James and John have fallen to the ground in fear of God, Jesus stoops down to comfort them and lets them know there is nothing to be afraid about. Even though it was the voice of God to bring the three of them to the reality of Jesus’ mission, it would be God that will turn tragedy into victory.
What happened on that mountain top took place between Jesus’ two statements of impending change. Jesus had said in the previous verses, “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24).
Perhaps the event we call the transfiguration was about preparing and helping the three disciples live through the coming change. And it shows how to live in the midst of change. We hear this story just before we enter the season of Lent, a holy season that focuses on change. Change, whether on the mountain top of life or in the valley of the shadow of death, is a reality for all of us.
I suspect we’ve all faced change that has caused us to stumble, fall and leave us overwhelmed. Losing a job after many years can do that. Losing a spouse or a child can be unbearable. There is no such thing as a “good” divorce. And a severe illness or injury can make a person feel useless. This is not about change being perceived as good or bad. It’s about regaining our balance and getting our minds to cope with the change. It’s about stepping into a new life when we are not sure what it looks like or if there is really a new life waiting for us.
When Peter, John and James fall on their faces, Jesus tells them to get up! A more literal translation would be something like, “be raised up.” Be aroused from the sleep of death, or maybe even, “be resurrected.”
Jesus comes to us in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, touches us, and says Get Up! It is a promise that although life has changed, it has not ended. Somewhere new life is hidden in the midst of change. This is even when we cannot immediately see it or believe it. God uses the changing circumstances of our lives and world to bring us to a new reality.
Most of us live with some level of anxiety or fear. Change often brings about fear, whether it’s about income, one’s children, your health or a marriage in trouble. Christians in America worry about the declining memberships in all churches. The largest decline since records were kept on this. In the midst of this change, Jesus says, “Do not be afraid.” A new thing is happening.
The love and confidence of Christ can follow us everywhere and in every place. When I was at Floyd Baptist Hospital on Tuesday, during Mark Humphrey’s surgery, I was so impressed by all the support that Jennifer Humphrey received from family and friends. What began as a small circle turned into a larger circle of love and support in the waiting room. The lively conversation kept us from worrying about the seriousness of Mark’s surgery. In the meantime I met a lot of nice people within that circle of support. I honestly cannot remember all their names, but there was one I will never forget. The spiritual presence of Jesus Christ was there saying, “don’t be afraid,” all will be well. There is nothing in this vast universe that can separate us from the love and support of Christ.
AMEN
