February 14, 2021
2 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8 Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Some moments in life change the way we move through the world. Graduating from college opens employment doors because the world perceives you to have a basic level of higher education. Your college years have shaped and formed you but walking across that stage to pick up your diploma, did not change you. It did, however, changed how you are perceived. With marriage, the world sees you differently too. Social engagements and tax status shift, even where you live often change. Two people are in love before and after the ceremony, but in the eyes of the world and each other that relationship has been transformed and transfigured.
I have used those two words, transformed and transfigured, interchangeably every year as we talk about the transfiguration of the Lord. But this year a subtle nuance became clear. Transformation means something has changed at its core. Think of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. It has changed and transformed its very nature. Transfiguration is about a shift in perception. Jesus did not change after his time on that mountain. What changed was how Jesus was perceived, how the disciples understood who Jesus is.
Let me explain. In the previous chapter Jesus asks the disciples,
“Do you still not perceive or understand?” (8:17).
He asks them, “Who do you say that I am?” (8:27).
Now we know that Peter declares him the Messiah, but then Jesus orders them to tell no one. Understanding the fullness of Jesus and his identity and purpose is what is being transformed, changed. The time on the mountain seems to answer, illumine, the problem that the disciples are having as to who Jesus is. Jesus does not change, their perception of him does.
Their perception of Jesus is transfigured.
One commentator writes, “We might use the words “transfigure” and “transform” interchangeably, but there is a helpful distinction to keep in mind. To be transfigured is to be changed in outward form or appearance. Jesus’ transfiguration does not alter who he is but gives to those who see the changed visage a new understanding of him because they see him outwardly in a different light. When we speak of transformation, we tend to mean a complete or essential change in composition or structure. Jesus on the mountain with Moses and Elijah is not transformed (changed inwardly) but transfigured before his disciples (shown to be other than assumed). He is not made to have a new essential self but an appearance that conveys his standing in the company of Israel’s greatest prophets” (Working Preacher, Melinda Quivik).
So what is actually transfigured on this mountain? The disciple’s perception of who Jesus is transfigured. What is transformed, changed?
Three things. Jesus’ clothes, his company and his calling. Each one of these helps to transfigure the disciple’s perception.
Jesus’ robe becomes dazzling white. It is changed, transformed. It is like nothing we have seen and whiter than any bleach can create. Clothes can also transform our understanding of who someone is today. Think of all the plot twists when the protagonist changes clothes, no longer the pauper now the prince, or no longer the rebel, now a stealth agent moving behind enemy lines. Clothing changes how we perceive someone. These dazzling clothes get the disciples attention, help them see who Jesus is and has always been- God’s Son.
Sarah Young, in Jesus Calling, writes “(Jesus’) Peace is like a shaft of golden Light shining on you continuously. During days of bright sunshine, it may blend in with your surroundings. On darker days, Jesus’ Peace stands out in sharp contrast to your circumstances. See times of darkness as opportunities for Jesus’ light to shine in transcendent splendor” (p.44). I like to think of the transfiguration of Jesus clothes as a moment when the disciples see the full divinity of Jesus, the fullness of his light. The light of Jesus’ peace is there all the time, but we cannot always see it. On that mountain, the disciples could see Jesus’ light, peace, holiness.
The company Jesus kept also changed. Seeing Jesus with Elijah and Moses had to change how the disciples understood who Jesus was. These were the two greatest Jewish prophets who both had their own intimate moment with God and lived. Moses through his face-to-face chats with God and his glimpse of God’s backside (Exodus 33:7-23) and Elijah’s encounter with God in a strange “sound of sheer silence” (1 Kings 19:11-13). When one is so close to God, everything changes. For the disciples to see Jesus with Moses and Elijah would have transfigured who Jesus must have been in their eyes.
As we look at what was transformed for the disciples understanding to be transfigured, we see clothes and company changed. But so did Jesus’ calling. In Mark’s account of Jesus baptism, Jesus is the one who hears God’s words, “You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased” (1:11). It is a private calling, Gods’ words to his beloved son.
As the cloud overshadowed them on the mountain, the voice speaks to the disciples declaring to them, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” God speaks to transfigure their perception, their understanding of Jesus. Jesus is not just a teacher, a prophet, a healer, a rebel. Jesus is the Son of God! We as his disciples are to listen to him.
Jesus was God’s Son before he went up the mountain, that did not change.
But the disciples understanding was transfigured because they experienced changes in Jesus’ clothes, company and calling.
Transfiguration is not only something that happens in the Bible. It happens today as well.
This week my understanding of video games was transfigured. I have struggled with my son’s use of video games for years. I always wanted them to go outside and play rather than be glued to a screen. But I read an article noting an AARP survey 44% of older Americans enjoy video games. It went on to tout the mental stimulation of these games and their ability to stave off cognitive impairment. That information transfigured my perception of video games.
During transfiguration, the facts, the substance, has not changed but how we understand them might. That was the hope in the Impeachment Trial. We all watched what happened in our Capitol on January 6, in real time. Those events did not change. But walking through the trial, seeing the timeline, the model of movements, seeing and hearing new information may transfigure how the events of January 6th are perceived. We don’t know if transfiguration is happening, only time will tell.
On this Valentine’s Day I also had a transfiguration of how I perceived the day reading a reflection by Maria Shriver. She reminded me that this day is not only about romantic love, but also to treasure all the forms of love we have and the moments in our lives we have been loved even when those people are no longer with us. Honor the cracks in our hearts and the journey we have taken, while celebrating those we love and who love us.
Another possible transfiguration is with our relationship with COVID. Worldwide almost 2.4 million people have died. Tragically that will not change. Yet as more people are getting vaccinated, our perception of the disease is starting to shift.
Hope shines like the sun peaking up over the horizon. The morning is still chilly, we have a long way to go.
But the early rays of light are warming our face and squinting our eyes.
One day we will be in the full light of midday sun together again with family and friend and back in our beloved worship space and able to hug one another. In the meantime, we celebrate our time with a Mardi Gras Party on Zoom. Thank you for all who participated. It is our big celebration before Lent starts with our Ash Wednesday service at 7:00.
Our relationship to Covid is being transfigured. But that does not mean we get to change our protective behaviors. Let’s all remain diligent and safe as we wait for the fullness of the relief and healing to be made known. May we each rest in the fullness of Christ’s peace shining upon us in the dark times as well as the light. Amen.
Thank you for your continued support of our church and God’s work.
