Your Transfiguration for Jesus
Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz
Mark 9:1-13
Mark 9:1 And Jesus was saying to them, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power."
Mark 9:2 Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; 3 and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three 1tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 6 For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified. 7 Then a cloud 1formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is My beloved Son, 2listen to Him!" 8 All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone.
Mark 9:9 As they were coming down from the mountain, He gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen, 1until the Son of Man rose from the dead. 10 They 1seized upon that statement, discussing with one another what rising from the dead meant. 11 They asked Him, saying, "Why is it that the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" 12 And He said to them, "Elijah does first come and restore all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 "But I say to you that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wished, just as it is written of him."
The Transfiguration is an event that brings together the theological perspectives of Sukkot and Jesus being the Messiah. Peter wants to build a Sukkot. The Cloud of glory surrounded Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, bringing up the imagery of that holiday. The Sukkot was a celebration of God's forgiveness for the sins of the previous year. Jesus was sent to tell the people of the forgiveness of sin and to die for their sins. Therefore, the event is connected to Sukkot in that way. Because during the Sukkot celebration, a prayer is offered for the beginning of the Messianic period. The Messiah was to bring people back to God and to tell us of God's forgiveness for sin. This is a key component of the Sukkot celebration.
The forgiveness of sin by God is accompanied by a time for a person to confess their sins before the LORD. An admittance of sin would not be sufficient. Following the Holy Days and Sukkot celebrations, one would confess to the LORD of their sins during the days of repentance. On Yom Kippur, prayers are offered for forgiveness. Sukkot follows, which celebrates God's forgiveness of sin. In a way, Sukkot is Jesus's celebration. How much power would the Transfiguration have been if it occurred on Sukkot?
Also, Jesus is declared as the Messiah by the appearance of Elijah. God said in Malachi that Elijah would come to announce the Messiah. Elijah's appearance at the Transfiguration completes the prophecy. The idea of Jesus as the Messiah becomes revealed further in Mark's Gospel after this event.
The Greek influence from the Stoics of antiquity is so present in our society. If we want not to be hurt in this society, we can cut ourselves off from emotion. We would keep everyone at a distance so that no risk could hurt us. Because of this influence, too many Christians are unwilling to accept our Savior Jesus's horrific death. The path to the cross starts at the Transfiguration in Mark's Gospel. The acceptance of Jesus' death on the cross is not acceptable to many modern-day Christians. The attendance of the Good Friday worship bears this out very clearly. A terrible day for attendance to the point where you wonder if the church should hold the worship. We like the good things of Christianity but not the pain of Christianity.
The Transfiguration, a Lenten story, reminds us that we are moving in Lent and towards Holy Week. Easter worship brings out the people to hear the Good News of the Resurrection while denying the events leading up to it. It is a good thing Jesus is forgiving. However, what will He say about those Christians who do not accept His pain in order for them to receive their salvation?
Acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah is easy today in many church denominations. Then apathy toward Christianity sets in and is acceptable (this is proven by church attendance vs. membership). When a disciple connects to Jesus, he/she connects to the events and persons of the Hebrew Scriptures. There is a lot that a new disciple needs to learn and understand.
When I came to accept Jesus as my Savior, I asked the church's pastor the question, "How do I learn about Christianity?" His answer was to attend a Sunday School class. When I did I discovered I knew more than the teacher. My education came from Seminary and not from Sunday School. The church needs to teach what Christianity means. It needs qualified teachers who have been professionally taught and are capable.
Let me add one other idea about Transfiguration. Each disciple of Jesus Christ must experience their transfiguration. This concept connects well to the baptism liturgy. One must die to one's old self and rise new in Christ. That does not happen immediately at baptism for most people. It takes a massive change, a transfiguration of heart and mind to become a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Jesus' transfiguration was a change to the course of His mission and life. Personal transfiguration will do the same for you.
