Our Transfigured Lord

Now this may come as a bit of a surprise. Lutherans are not known for their love of change. Perhaps you’ve heard the joke about how many Lutherans it takes to change a light bulb. The answer is three. One to change the bulb, and two to complain about how nice the old one was.

While that joke is good for a laugh, change can really be scary for some people. After all, life is difficult enough. We don’t like those unexpected surprises that force us to break our routines. We like to know what is coming. We like to know what is around the corner. We like to be in control, and when we are faced with change, we are faced with a situation that reminds us that we are not in control.

This can be true regardless of whether the change is good or bad. Things like starting a new job or the birth of a baby, all bring about good change. But there is still stress that comes with that. And while good change is all well and good, what do we do when we find ourselves in those situations in life where we are forced to face and to deal with change that we may not want to make? What do we do in those situations that we find ourselves facing something that is not a joke; that is not a laughing matter; that is just downright scary?

We have just finished up our stewardship emphasis. We have defined stewardship as understanding that we have been given a place in God’s kingdom and mission, and therefore we are to live our lives in accordance with that place. This is something that should be a challenge for us. A blessing, to be sure, but also something that motivates us to get outside of our comfort zone, take a look at our lives, and make commitments to ministry. And sometimes, that can be really scary. So what do we do with that?

Today is the day that we celebrate the transfiguration. Peter was there to witness firsthand the events that took place on that mountain. He saw how Jesus was changed, how was transfigured before his very eyes. He saw how Moses and Elijah showed up and they were speaking with Jesus. And Peter says, “Rabbi, it’s good that we’re here. Let’s put up three tents – one for you, on for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Peter didn’t know what he was saying basically he was scared stupid.

I mean can you blame Peter? How would you have reacted after seeing Jesus changed the way he had been. There really aren’t even words to describe it. And so we are given the image that his clothes became brilliantly white; whiter than any bleach could whiten them. And Moses and Elijah show up? How did they get here? And wait a minute, we know Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, but isn’t Moses dead? What is going on here?

There are many things happening here, but allow me to point out a few of them. In the transfiguration we see that Jesus is God. He is revealing his glory. Our text begins with the words, “After six days.” This is a clue to us that what happens in the verses prior to our text is something important. Here is what happens in the previous 13 verses.

Jesus does some qualitative research and asks the disciples who people say that he is. Then he asks them who they say that he is. And Peter says, “You are the Messiah!” After this Jesus tells the disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, that he would be rejected by the leaders, that he would be killed and after three days he would come back to life.

Peter objects and Jesus says, “Get out of my way, Satan!” The next verses tell of Jesus teaching that, “Those who want to follow me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses and follow me.” Now, six days later here we are on the mountain and Jesus is revealing his glory to Peter, James and John. 

You see, even though the disciples don’t understand that Jesus must suffer and die, so that my sins and your sins and the sins of the world could be forgiven, Jesus knew that. He knew that they would see him die. He knew that they didn’t understand what had to happen to him. And so in the transfiguration they see Jesus’ glory. It’s as if to say, “Don’t worry. I’ve got it all under control.” 

Now the disciples won’t put two and two together until after the resurrection. But that is ok. Because once they understand what had taken place on this mountain they will be facing a new challenge and that is to continue to the mission of Jesus in this world, to shine his light in this dark, dark place. 

You see, as important as the events that took place on the mountain are. And believe me, we could spends hours talking about Moses and Elijah and the cloud and all the connections to the Old Testament and fulfillment and all that good stuff and what it means. As import as the events that took place on the mountain are, what is also very important are the events that take place after the mountain. 

You see, the disciples who saw Jesus transformed. The disciples who were so terrified that they didn’t know how to respond to what they were witnessing.  These disciples would face fear again. On the night of the first Easter, they are locked in a room, and they are very scared. But this fear would be transformed by the same Jesus who is transfigured before them on the mountain. This Jesus will transform their fear into confidence, and boldness and peace. Not confidence and boldness and peace in themselves, but in the one whose clothes shined whiter than any bleach could bleach them.

And now this is where you and I come into the picture. For we have things that we are afraid of in our own lives. Living our lives in accordance with the place that God has given us in his kingdom and mission can be scary. Maybe we don’t feel qualified for the job. Maybe we find ourselves struggling to let go of that need or desire to be in control. It is at this point that we need to take these things to the one who was transfigured, so the he can comfort us and reassure us that, “Hey, I’ve got this under control.” He transforms our fear into peace. In serving our God and joining him in his work, we experience life that is better than anything we could ever chose for ourselves.

Or maybe we find ourselves faced with a different kind of struggle. Maybe we struggle with guilt over something that we have done in our past. No matter how hard we try we just can’t shake the guilt. Take that guilt to Jesus. The one who was transfigured on that mountain also went to the cross. There he paid the price for ALL of your sins, and also for all of mine. So we go to him. We ask forgiveness. We repent, that is change the way we think and act. And Jesus forgives. The transfigured, risen Lord transforms our fear into peace. Knowing that in God’s eyes that something from our past has been removed from us as far as the east is from the west. This is good news. This is great news. This is awesome news. This is the news that we are called to share with the world.

But then again that has a whole fear of its own. We know that we are to love and serve the people in our lives. We know that this is what God asks us to do. We know that doing it does not earn us favor with him. But we know that doing it is why we are here.  And yet palms sweat, and stomachs get tied in knots. The tongue dries out and the brain freezes up. But do not be afraid. Jesus, the one who was transfigured, the one who rose, the one who was and is and is to come, promises to be with you always.  This is especially true as we carry out the mission of serving and loving the world and sharing with that world the good news of God’s love in Jesus. We take our fear to him, and he transforms our fear into love, peace, hope, confidence, boldness. Not in ourselves, but in him, in Jesus. He will give us the words, he will guide us. He will be with us always. 

Before Jesus ascended into heaven he was on another mountain. And he said to his disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations:  Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. And remember I am always with you until the end of time.” 

In that promise there is great hope, comfort and strength. And may you always experience those as you live your life in relationship with your Lord, whose glory was revealed on that mountain, and who is with you always. Amen.