February 27 – Luke
Luke 9:28-36 (37-43)
Today, is also the Sunday that we traditionally focus on the “Transfiguration” of Jesus. I have to admit that “Transfiguration” is a strange churchy word, a word that most of us have never used in a conversation with someone. Most of us are familiar with the word, transformation, and transfiguration is similar except that its focus is on appearance. So, when Jesus appeared in glowing, dazzling white in our Gospel lesson today, we say that He was “transfigured.” That is, Jesus appearance was dramatically changed.
At first read, this section of Scripture may leave some of us saying to ourselves, “Say What! What could be happening here and what does it all mean? Not only does Jesus begin to shine with unworldly light, but all of a sudden Moses and Elijah appear. In fact, it has been said that Luke’s account of Jesus’ transfiguration is one of the “most elusive and evocative scenes in the Gospel.
To help our understanding, we need to look at what comes just before this particular passage of Scripture. Just a few weeks ago, Luke told us of Jesus’ Baptism by John the Baptist. Who remembers what happened? Yes, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in the bodily form like a dove, and a voice came from the heaven saying, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Jesus baptism signaled the beginning of His ministry.
Now let’s look at today’s Scripture. Just a few days after Peter proclaims that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus takes Peter, John, and James up a steep mountain to pray, and as Jesus was praying all of a sudden Jesus physical appearance changes, and His clothes become dazzling white.
As if things could not become more surprising, suddenly Moses and Elijah appear, and begin talking to Jesus about His departure, or exodus, making it clear that Jesus is in fact, faithful to His redemptive mission. To suffering, rejection, and death, Jesus is resolutely moving toward Jerusalem and the cross.
Perhaps you are still wondering, why Moses and Elijah? So, let’s step back a minute and try to understand why. First both Moses and Elijah played the role of being mediators between the people and God; just as Jesus is the mediator between us and God for the forgiveness of our sins. Moses and Elijah are also from the Old Testament time, and their appearance connects them as representatives of the Old Testament Law to Jesus, the Messiah and the Good News.
Then another surprising event happens after their appearance. Even though Peter did not understand what was happening on the mountaintop that day, he somehow understands that whatever it was, was important. So, he offers to build three dwelling places for Moses, Elijah and Jesus. Although it reveals the disciples lack of understanding, the Greek word used for the structures indicates that most likely Peter saw the event as the fulfillment of Israel’s celebration of the wilderness wanderings of the “Feast of the Booths” each year.
The Feast of the Booths is also known as the Feast of the Tabernacles. In Leviticus chapter twenty-three, God commanded ancient Israel to celebrate the Feast of Booths by constructing and living in temporary housing built out of tree branches, boughs and other naturally occurring materials. The feast was held at harvest time to rejoice over God’s abundant blessings. It also served to remind the Israelites that God lovingly took care of them when they sojourned the wilderness after leaving Egyptian bondage. While Peter was making his offer, a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud came a loud voice saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen, listen to him!”
Perhaps you are beginning to see some similarities between Jesus’ baptism and His transfiguration on the mountainside. The two messages both come from the heavens, and both messages are quite clear that Jesus is the Son of God. Just as Jesus’ Baptism indicated the beginning of His mission, the transfiguration suggests a new turning point in Jesus’ ministry. In short, it announces Jesus’ final preparation for His final journey to Jerusalem, and our preparation for the season of Lent. Both events impress on us just what Jesus was about on this earth and who He truly was.
The voice of God tells the disciples as well as each one of us to listen and to understand Jesus; to really comprehend that He is the Son of God. To understand what discipleship and following Jesus really means; to understand that it is not easy, and that it requires courage, perseverance, sacrifice, and love. In fact, listening to Jesus is our calling as a disciple.
The question we need to ask ourselves this morning is, “when was the last time we really listened to Him?” Have we really heard Him this morning in the Scripture, this sermon, in the songs we have sang? If we’re honest, it’s not a question we like to be asked as it implies, we may not be listening, especially if you are a male and your wife is doing the asking. Yet, it is a question that we need to constantly ask ourselves in reference to our spiritual life. What I hope you will get out of the sermon this morning is the clear and compelling invitation to listen to the voice of Jesus.
Luke emphasizes the power that prayer has in our experiencing the presence of God. So, as we leave here today and begin our Lenten journey this week, let us resolve to spend time reading the Scripture and in daily prayer. Let us listen quietly for the voice of the Holy Spirit, remembering that the resurrected Christ is with us throughout our journey of life, whether we are in darkness, or whether we are on the mountain top, He journeys with us and is the only one we should listen to. Did you hear what God said about Jesus in today’s reading? “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well please. Listen to him!” Are you listening? Amen