"Witnessing the Transfiguration" Message from March 2, 2025

Imagine seeing a miracle, but then not going around telling everyone you saw it. Maybe it’s just that my job is keeping people informed, but I would definitely have a tough time staying quiet. And witnessing Jesus transform into His divine appearance and being joined by two legendary prophets and also hearing the omniscient voice from above? I would be running for my computer to post that as soon as possible. And I’d probably grab a few selfies and a video for Snapchat while I was there to add to my post. In our reading today from Luke 9: 28-36, we find Jesus taking Peter, John, and James up a hill to pray. About a week after he had said these things, Jesus took Peter, John, and James with him and went up a hill to pray. While he was praying, his face changed its appearance, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly two men were there talking with him. They were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in heavenly glory and talked with Jesus about the way in which he would soon fulfill God's purpose by dying in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were sound asleep, but they woke up and saw Jesus' glory and the two men who were standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, how good it is that we are here! We will make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (He did not really know what he was saying.) While he was still speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them with its shadow; and the disciples were afraid as the cloud came over them. A voice said from the cloud, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen—listen to him!” When the voice stopped, there was Jesus all alone. The disciples kept quiet about all this and told no one at that time anything they had seen. I bet that they did this often … finding a nice quite secluded spot to pray together and really feel the spirit. Does anybody have a personal favorite place to pray? I think I need to find one for myself, making sure it is well away from all of the distractions of life. Picture the scene at the mountaintop … a place where the air is crisp and cool, surrounded by the splendor of nature, the only real distraction to that setting. A great place to truly get in tune with the world around you. That would definitely seem to be the place for some quality reflection. But while He was praying, His face changed, and His clothes become a dazzling glow of white -- the purest color. Or total lack of color, as an artist will tell you. What color is a blank page in a book? More often than not it is white. Unsullied, unblemished, a stark virgin white color. Then Moses and Elijah talk with Jesus. Ah, to be a fly on the wall for that conversation. But even as the Disciples reach out to the new guests offering their hospitality, a cloud suddenly appears and a voice says from the cloud, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen -- listen to him!” But the Disciples keep quiet about all of what they have seen on the mountain. I’m not thinking I would have that kind of will power. It seems to me that what Jesus is doing here is revealing his true self to his closest followers, the one who will both appreciate that knowledge the most and be the most ready to accept it. What do you suppose that was like for them? How much did they already believe even before witnessing the Transfiguration? We know that Thomas would be forever known as the doubter, but I wonder how much doubt Peter, James and John might have had in the divinity of Jesus up to this precise moment. Was this the time when not only was there a transfiguration of Jesus, but a transfiguration of their own faith as well? How much in our own lives do we believe without actually seeing it for ourselves? Sadly, in this world with so much “fake news,” we really need to take many things with a grain of salt. Each and every day I see people posting commentary on the internet that really has no bearing on reality … they are good fiction writers, for sure, but posting statements they claim to be fact. We really do need to see things for ourselves to know they are true, and even then witness accounts can vary considerably. I once went to a concert by a professional, world-touring band. At one point the front man messed up the song and insisted on stopping and pointing out the error. I was stunned because that seemed very unprofessional to me. But then I saw a review of the concert that said that same moment was the highlight of the show, because it revealed how humble they are. Hmmm … even though I did witness the event, that kind of changed my thoughts on it. So maybe seeing isn’t enough, after all. Even what we see with our eyes does not mean as much as what we feel in our heart. For our three Disciples, I am sure they had already felt in their hearts something special about Jesus. They wouldn’t have followed Him otherwise. But a transfiguration happens to them as well. They are enlightened and now have a new strength in their commitment to Jesus to take back down the mountain with them. They have heard the word of God. Think back a few months ago we were talking about Jesus’ baptism, where God also spoke. Obviously, this moment is important enough for God to speak to the Disciples directly. “This is my Son, whom I have chosen -- listen to him!” God tells them. And I am sure they listened. I expect we all know this story well enough that it won’t be a spoiler to look ahead a bit. We know the group is heading to Jerusalem, and obviously it is now the beginning of March so we know what time of year it is. It’s hard to believe that Ash Wednesday is this Wednesday, but given the winter we’ve had let’s all be thankful that spring is close by. Easter Sunday is April 20. And Daylight Savings Time kicks in next Sunday. You’d better write that down or you will be an hour late for church. These are three dates that always remind me that spring is close by. But also three dates that remind me that the anniversary of our Lord Jesus given up His life for us on the cross is coming soon as well. Spring is a massive time of nature’s own transfiguration. The snow will go away and the flowers will appear again. Although I’m sure some folks out there enjoy the winter, to me it just seems like a gray, sleepy, dormant time. Spring is the time when everything springs back to life … and most important in that season of resurrection of nature is the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! The Transfiguration on the mountain might be a witness to all of Jesus’ glory, but at the same time it reaffirms His purpose on earth … to die for us on the cross in a sacrifice of Himself for all of our sins. Certainly it displays the power that could have put a stop to the Crucifixion had that been in the plan. But it wasn’t, and we will soon have Good Friday followed by the joyous celebration of Easter Sunday. One other thing to look at here. The three Disciples come down from the mountain enriched with the spirit from their personal connection there. This will stay with them as Peter, James and John spearhead their fellow Disciples as they become the Apostles to carry on the teachings of Jesus and share the Good News with everyone they can. This witness has truly empowered them to take their own teachings up a notch, and strengthened them in their efforts to help spread this brand-new Christianity ultimately around the world. May we all be also strengthened in our own beliefs as we reflect together on these words in our Bible reading. May we be empowered to go out like the Apostles did and share the Good News ourselves. Amen.