Awe of Transfiguration Read Matthew 17:1-9
The first question I had was “What happened 6 days earlier?” Matthew shares a sequential story so the connection to the previous is foundational. Looking back at the end of 16, Jesus is sharing that He will die. The same can be found in Luke 9 and Mark 8. Jesus is telling his followers that it won’t be easy. Before Jesus takes Peter, John, and James up the mountain he tells them that he must suffer, die, and be resurrected on the third day–soon. Are they are feeling the wind of change blowing through their lives? What would you think after following the one you know to be the Messiah only to hear him say that he would die? That you will be hated on a daily basis, ostracized and even killed?
Maybe that event, that we call the transfiguration, was about preparing and helping the disciples live through the coming change. Maybe the transfiguration story has something to teach and show us about how to live in the midst of change. Is that why every year the transfiguration story that we need to hear as we enter Lent, a 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.
Another thing, there is a conversation going on between Jesus, Moses and Elijah that isn’t recorded. Were they praying to Jesus? Was this Jesus informing Moses (writer of the Law) and Elijah (representing the prophets) of his coming fate? Were they in prayer to God together? The Bible doesn’t tell us. What do you think was being said?
After Peter interrupted with his suggestion to build temporary dwellings, all three gospels share that they hear God’s voice telling all present that Jesus is God’s Son and what He is doing is God’s will. Talk about a voice out of the clouds that sets everyone straight.
Today as back then so many voices cry out. Not every voice is helpful or worth listening to. Some voices may sound sweet but they are not good for us. Some voices are distractions that pull us in wrong directions. The story of the transfiguration says there is only one voice to listen to. The voice of God speaks from the bright cloud overshadowing Peter, James, and, John, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him.”
What if in the midst of change we sought to hear and listen to that one voice, the voice of God? The voice of Jesus? The voice of the Holy Spirit. What if we kept our ears open to what He is saying in our life and world today?
To let ourselves become aware of and attentive to what He is saying and doing, to let his concerns and desires become our concerns and desires, to let his way of engaging life and the world become our way of engaging life and the world. How would that affect our lives? Our world?
Would it mean that whatever change comes upon us it does not have the final word? Jesus is always speaking a word larger and more powerful than all the other voices. In the midst of change Jesus speaks a word of life, a word of hope, a word of forgiveness, a word of mercy, a word of beauty, a word of generosity, a word of courage, a word of love, a word of healing. Jesus speaks a word to and for you and me. Are we listening to that word, to His voice?
We have all faced change that has caused us to stumble and fall, paralyzed us, or left us overwhelmed. Again, this is not about whether the change is perceived as good or bad. It’s about regaining our balance and getting our feet back under us. It’s about stepping into new life when we aren’t sure what that looks like or if there really is a new life awaiting us.
The three disciples, Matthew tells us, “fell to the ground and were overcome by fear.” Jesus touches them and says, “Get up.” But it’s more than just “get up.” A more literal translation would be something like “be raised up,” “be aroused from the sleep of death,”
Jesus comes to us in whatever circumstances of change we find ourselves, touches us, and says, “Get up, be raised” It’s the promise that though life has changed, it has not ended. Somehow new life is hidden in the midst of change, even when cannot see it or do not believe it. God uses the changing circumstances of our lives and world to bring us into new life. I’m not suggesting that God directly causes change to come upon us. I’m suggesting that God never wastes a chance to draw forth new life.
Most of us I suspect live with some level of fear. Change often brings about fear – the fear of losing what we love, value, and desire; and sometimes it’s the fear that comes with getting what we want. In the midst of change Jesus says, “Do not be afraid.” He speaks to the heart of the human condition. They are the words we near to hear when we are raised up and back on our feet.
His words do not magically eliminate our fear. Instead, they are the call to take a first step into a new and changed life despite our fear. They are the assurance, once again, that change, does not have the final word, Christ does. We are not called to be fearless but to be courageous in the midst of change and fear.
I don’t know what changes you are dealing with. Listen to Him. Be raised up. Do not be afraid. These words are holy wisdom for times of change. They may be the means by which we step into our own transfiguration. Not only was Jesus changed on the mountaintop, I believe that Peter, James, and John eyes were opened and their seeing changed, so that everywhere they looked they saw “Jesus himself alone.” Maybe they saw Jesus for the first time as he had always been.
If that’s true, and I believe it is, then it means that every change – whether good or bad, wanted or unwanted, joyful or sorrowful – is illumined with divine light and filled with God’s presence.
Listen to him. Be raised up. Do not be afraid.
Let us pray. Dear Father, I ask You to open our hearts to receive Your perfect love. Forgive us for believing the enemy’s lies and for the times we have willingly turned away from You. Free us from earthly hurts and wounds that keep us from drawing close to You. O Lord, You are the only source of love in this world. You are love. Thank You for Your gift of Jesus, His atoning sacrifice that washes away our sins with His blood and reconciles us to You. Help us today and every day to come to You and receive Your unconditional love in our lives. Soften our hearts and teach us to believe and receive Your tender love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.