Matthew 17:1-9

1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will set up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a 

voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8 And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
  9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

May the peace of God shine on you and in you, and keep you from fear.    Amen

A couple of weeks ago we learned that Jesus moved to the seaside, to Capernaum, where he would begin his ministry and gather disciples. That sea was a constant reminder of the nature of human rebellion and the chaos and troubles we bring into our lives. Jesus would face those fearsome waves and emerge triumphant in the end. He would teach his followers to do the same. 

Today’s account encompasses a different vista, which carries its own distinctive meaning. Jesus and three of His primary disciples take a hike up a mountain. Such high places, as referred to in Scripture and other ancient writings, had been places of worship, thought to bring one closer to God and the chance to commune with the deity.  On the mountain peak there was seclusion. Above the tree line the conditions were rather inhospitable, yet it could be a good place to rest, listen, contemplate, and pray. It indeed was a place to meet God. Two men suddenly appear upon this mountain height; both had met God in their own lifetimes on Mt. Sinai. In those times, as in this account, God arrived within the cloud to make His presence known.

Jesus shared this experience with these three disciples.  On previous occasions he had gone off by himself to the high places to talk to the heavenly Father in prayer, this time was different. 

The mountain is depicted as a place of revelation, where one would be given direction, inspiration, and be rekindled for one’s task. From the mountain top the glory of God would be witnessed. In the case of Moses the cloud covered the mountain top for days and on the seventh day there appeared to the people down below, a sight like a devouring fire. Moses entered that cloud staying there for 40 days and nights and the Israelites assumed he was gone for good. When he did return he had the commandments of God inscribed on tablets of stone. Elijah, arguably the greatest prophet of Israel, had gone up the mountain in fear for his life. It seemed he planned to hide away up there. He encounters the glory of the Lord in the silence that ensued after turbulent wind, earthquake and fire. He hears the voice of God, receiving his final instructions regarding his service to God.

                  So what did those disciples learn on their mountain top experience? By this time those followers had been witness to many things. They had seen Jesus calm the storm, heal people’s infirmities, cast out demons, and even restore individuals to life. They had heard his preaching and his debates with religious leaders. Putting it all together, understanding what it would mean for Jesus and for themselves, was still difficult. Immediately prior to this hike Peter had spoken out in faithful inspiration as he answered Jesus’ question of them, “Who do you say that I am?” Matthew wrote: Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. Peter was always quick with a smart answer, but he did not always seem to really know what he was talking about. He was correct, Jesus is the Messiah. Yet they were also advised not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. We can tell from this account that Peter had yet to figure out what Messiah might entail. 

Maybe you feel some sympathy for Peter. Putting together all that they had seen and heard, and on top of that, this event on the mountain, Peter figured he should be in the know by now. Here is Jesus, with his face shining with like the sun and with clothes that dazzled, He was too bright to even look at. Their teacher was more impressive than he had ever been, then even Moses and Elijah show up adding to the magnitude of his reputation. Peter just had to think of some way to memorialize this encounter, to show his appreciation for being included. So he comes up with the plan to build three tents to shade and house these eminent personages. Rather than receiving recognition for his grand notion, the cloud covers them all and a voice reverberates through the mist. “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 

We know this announcement! The Father had said this back at the start of Jesus’ ministry, at his baptism. Now no congrats come to Peter for creating a great plan, there was no word about creating a lasting shrine there on the top of the mountain. Instead there is a pronouncement about the One who should be receiving their attention. This is the One who communicates God’s will and wishes – listen to him! Pay attention disciples, don’t forget who you are to follow and what He must & will do. Hear his voice and do as He says!

The heavenly command was terrifying and brought them flat on their faces. Suddenly disappearing seemed like a good idea to them. Maybe God would forget about their being there and would concentrate on Jesus. We have many instances shared in scripture that an encounter with the Divine, with his messengers, have caused a similar reaction. The answer provided when such fear and trembling hits is consistent; it is what Jesus offers here. “Do not be afraid.” 

There was no lecture, no list of assignments, no book handed out to provide the instructions for what they should do. The only thing Jesus says with this amazing set up to Listen to him is: do not be afraid. Put aside your fears of God! There is no promise that all will be rosy and entertaining. We know that there is evil that exists, disasters come, and trouble is well known. There are many reasons we face tragedy and sadness, but those things do not come from God’s presence among us. Jesus says: don’t be afraid, not of God. This is the God who made you and loves you. This God sent Jesus to demonstrate that love and pay its price. This God sent the good shepherd to restore the lost sheep to the fold and welcomes the return of the son who ran away to live life his own way. This is the God who celebrates the return of every sinner, leading his angels in the rejoicing.

This God had plans for Peter, James and John. They could not stay on the mountain. They were fishermen charged with the task of fishing for people. They were the companions of Jesus and He could not stay removed from the world but had his journey laid out before him. He would be held up high before the people, for his elevated place would be on a wooden cross, not a Mountain. Jesus would be entombed in the earth and sealed away with a boulder. Yet from there his triumph would come for he would break the barriers and be released. Jesus would be raised from the dead! Light would dawn on a new day, so Jesus could not hide away on this mountain. He had more to say and do. Listen to him! The transfiguration that was glimpsed on this day was only a brief foretaste of the glory to come. Do not be afraid for the light of Christ shines through you and will illumine eternity. 

-Madeleine L’Engle. Has written a poem that says beautifully what this transfiguration is about.  I share it with you.

Suddenly they saw him

The way he was

The way he really was

All the time.

Although they had never seen it before,

the glory which blinds the everyday eye

And so becomes invisible.

This is how He was,

radiant, brilliant, carrying joy

Like a flaming sun

In his hands.

This is the way he was-is-

From the beginning,

yet we cannot bear it.

So, he manned himself,

Came manifest to us;

And there on the mountain

They saw him, really saw him,

saw his light.

We all know that if we really see him 

we die.

But isn’t that what is required of us?

Then, perhaps, we will see

Each other, too.