Title: The transfiguration of a mountaintop experience.
Words: 1783
Tabs: Epiphany 7, Mountain, Transfiguration,
2 Kings 2:1-12 Psalm 50:1-6 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Mark 9:2-9
Summary: Mountain top experiences are for a reason. They are not just moments of Epiphany or pleasure; they can be painful, as they change lives. So be careful as to who guides you through.
This sermon was delivered to the congregation in St Oswald’s,
in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 19th February 2012.
(A Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries).
Introduction.
In the gospel according to Mark, we have a very familiar passage, and although it is short, it has plenty of meaning. Today I will look at it in its simplest form; being set on a mountain top (possibly Mount Tabor), where Jesus literally transformed himself to meet with both Moses and Elijah.
Now mountain top scenes are rare in the Bible; but all of them are very powerful.
The first mountain top scene we read is the one where Abraham takes Isaac: his only “beloved son”; the one promised by God, to be sacrificed so that God could fulfil His covenant with Abraham. Fortunately God intervened and Isaac was spared.
The second mountain top scene is where Moses is on Mt. Sinai directly after the crossing of the Red Sea to escape the Egyptian army, leaving the newly freed Israelites at the bottom of the mountain.
This mountain is also covered in a thick cloud, and it is here the Lord spoke to Moses and six days later he descended the mountain and delivered the Ten Commandments to the children of Israel.
It is also worth noting that years later when Moses died, God said Deuteronomy 18:15 that “He would raise up for the people another prophet who would, like Moses, hear the voice of God and teach it to the people. … And when that prophet comes, listen to him”.
The third mountain top scene is the one in 1Kings 19:16 where the great prophet Elijah was desperately seeking God. If you remember Elijah looked for God in a strong wind, then in an earthquake; then in a fire; but found God in a still small voice; who gave him instructions to anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.
Can you here the similarities into today’s Gospel: the six days; the cloud; the voice; the beloved son; the command to listen to him. They all come together, along with presence of Moses and Elijah.
Jesus is transfigured
Now the passages says that “Jesus took with him Peter and James and John” … that means he left the others at the base … ”And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them”. Jesus glowed, his face like the sun such as no one on earth had seen, interestingly … like Moses when he delivered the Ten Commandments, his face too was transformed. This is not just something out of this world, and that is exactly what this story tries to convey.
And if that is not out of this world enough for you, then two of faith's most honoured heroes suddenly appear: Moses, the great law-giver; and Elijah, the great prophet; giving us both the Law and the Prophets, communing with Jesus himself. Does this sounds familiar?
Peter, James, and John are terrified
This is both literally and figuratively a "mountain-top experience"; and Peter, James, and John are terrified in that presence of God’s glory.
However a little terror never stopped Peter from speaking up; and he suggests erecting three shrines or tents to commemorate the event! But Jesus dissuades him.
But then “a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!"
God is saying “Jesus is my fulfilment of the covenant with Abraham. He is the one whose voice we must hear; and He is the one who speaks with authority.”
Listen to Jesus
Listening to Jesus is not a suggestion; it is a direct command from God.
We were baptized because Jesus said, “Go into all the world and make disciples … baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matt 28:18-20)
Later we will celebrate Holy Communion because Jesus said, “Do this, in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19)
These two examples, baptism and Holy Communion are religious duties that our Lord told us to do; but that is not all he commanded us to do.
Jesus also tells us in Matthew 28 to leave the mountain top and go into “the world and make disciples of all peoples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” We are disciples of Jesus Christ, and as such we listen to him as he defines us and sets our agenda; for He is our Lord above everything.
So when we hear news of the terrible financial crisis in this country; of the rising unemployment, and companies closing down with thousands of lay-offs, we should not just hear this news merely as typical Scots, (or English), learn to listen to such a message as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
What does that mean practically? Well it means, first, that we hear the pain of others with great compassion; and then look round and watch where that pain shows up in the community: and we do what ever we can, through the strength God gives us, we extend his compassion and care wherever we can; even if that is a simple prayer. No one is ever too weak or sick to stop praying for people in need.
Secondly, being identified as a disciple of Christ means trusting God the way Jesus taught us to trust God. Being a disciple means that when we hear bad news, we do not panic, as if there were no God; or as if God does not know, or does not care what is happening.
Being a disciple means that we have learned from Jesus that God is our Father in Heaven and he is watching over everything; for example we are told in Matthew 7 that “he clothes the birds of the air and the grass of the field”, and that we are not to worry as … we “are far more valuable to him than they”?
This does not mean putting on rose-colored glasses, or to try to convince ourselves that “everything will be OK soon” but it means that even if things are not OK, we are to trust in God; as in his hands, he will see us through.
Thirdly, being a disciple means that we do not measure the meaning of our lives in net worth, in financial terms or in worldly success, but in our growth in similarity to Jesus himself.
For example, you may think last year was a bad year; but in that year we have all become closer in likeness to Christ. We may not feel like it, but if we are in him, if we are a disciple of his, we cannot but help come closer to his likeness. You may not feel it, but others certainly can. We have all changed since this time last year.
Disciples are not one-hour a week Christians. Disciples are learners. Disciples are people who seek out opportunities to deepen their understanding of God and his will for us. We here are all serious about learning to follow Jesus and none of us ever assume that we know all we need to know, although, some people, (no one in here) like to give that impression.
I am sure you have heard all this before, but sometimes we need to hear it again, if nothing more, than to give us a wee bit of hope. We need to remind ourselves that Christ is working constantly in our lives, in our homes, in our work places and in our hearts, even as we sleep.
We do not always feel it, in fact we tend to feel bad because God is always challenging us; but if he is not challenging us, we are not growing; and therefore not living, neither are we changing to be Christ like. And I know before you say, sometimes the challenge feels beyond us, and we need a break; I know only to well; permanent change hurts.
I take comfort from Romans 5 where Jesus said “we have access to him … through faith into his grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God”.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience, and patience, works experience; and experience brings hope. And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.”
What a powerful passage. God working in our hearts through the power of the Holy Ghost and we do not know it, and we don’t normally feel it, and if we do, we need to be reminded that it is God in charge, and not us. God has never made a mess of anything yet.
So my message this morning is to start putting ourselves within range of his voice more, so that we can listen to him and not the so called NEWS of despair spouted by the media. We are not here to make religious tents for old men on mountains; we are here to listen to the voice of God, the voice of Jesus … and to be his disciple.
Amen; let us pray.
Let us pray,
Father, we thank you for Jesus, we thank you that he is your beloved son.
We thank you that he walk this earth and knows the trials and tribulations we face.
We thank you that Jesus is above every situation, above every problem, and above every name that could ever be named.
Father this is a dark depressing time we live, and although we agree with your words this morning, we live in the world that can be hostile; negative and challenging you us who call you Lord.
Father we need a break, father we need some hope, your hope for the future. Give us this day your hope to see us through, strength to carry out you will, and confidence to do what is right.
Give us also Father, a revelation of your love for us, a revelation of how you are in charge of us, and a revelation that you will be with us, and supporting us unto the end.
Father, in Jesus name, show us that you look after your own.
Amen
