You Don’t Have to Go Home, But You Can’t Stay Here
Luke 9:28-36 February 26, 2017 A+D
+ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. +
Our text this morning is from St. Luke’s account of the Transfiguration, highlighting verses thirty-three through thirty-five:
“And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!”
So for our text.
It is good that we are here! With that, we can agree with Peter. Peter, James, and John saw a pretty amazing thing in their mountaintop experience. Here at this boundary in Jesus’ life and ministry, we catch a glimpse of the glory that will be Jesus’, and ultimately our own glory which we gain through Him. What must the disciples have thought, as they awoke?
Moses and Elijah are here! Jesus’ inner circle recognizes them and calls them by name! (Stop and wonder for a minute – how did the disciples realize who they were?God must have revealed it to them! What might God have revealed in your life, and you didn’t even know it?) Moses, whom God Himself buried, and Elijah, whom God Himself took into heaven, sit with Jesus as witnesses to what things are necessary to happen. In the Old Testament, you needed the word of two witnesses to testify to the truth of a matter. The two witnesses on the mountaintop represent the Law – which our Lord kept perfectly - and the Prophets – every word of which is about Jesus. These men spoke with Jesus about His departure. In the original language, the word used is one with which you are already familiar – exodus. Jesus’ exodus that He must undergo begins here and ends outside Jerusalem. But before that climax of Jesus’ purpose can be fulfilled, other important things must take place.
The disciples awoke and saw this amazing sight: Moses and Elijah “in glory”, and Jesus Himself appearing dazzling white like a flash of lightning! Who wouldn’t be amazed at such a sight? Before your eyes, your Lord appearing along side great men of old, alive and speaking together! What must that have looked like?! In an instant, Jesus appearance was transformed into something almost indescribable. “Like a flash of lightning” probably doesn’t even come close. Matthew records Jesus’ face was like the sun! You would have had to cover your eyes because you couldn’t stare into such magnificent radiance. This is a phenomenal taste of glory.
Peter was so awestruck by what was going on, when Moses and Elijah were leaving Jesus, he said “It’s good to be here, Jesus! This is awesome! I don’t want this moment to end. We’ll make tents for all three of you! (Where was Peter going to get the canvas for the tents?) Just let’s keep feeling like this forever!” But Peter didn’t get it. The Gospel records Peter did not know what he was saying. Peter had the best of intentions. We often have the best of intentions as well: How many times do we call on God and want to “make a deal?” “God, if you help me out of this one, I PROMISE...” But we don’t keep the pledge. And we forget God doesn’t need our promises. Peter did not understand that this is only an appetizer before the real banquet begins. Before Jesus comes into His full glory which is truly beyond mortal words, He must descend the mountain and journey toward the cross.
We all want our mountain top experiences to last forever. When we go on vacation, we can’t wait to get there, and the trip seems to take forever. Once there, we don’t want to go home. We can be like that in our spiritual lives as well. Many days, we feel so connected to God – like He’s right there next to us speaking, guiding, and comforting. Other days are, well, just days. Long days doing your job, maybe just a bit dull, or possibly even oppressive and burdensome. The fire seems to have gone out. Where has that passion in your heart gone off to? We want that feeling back, and we never want it to end. But, like Peter, we are mistaken.
Have you ever gone somewhere special and gotten so caught up in capturing the moment by taking photos or video that you failed to actually be in the moment, experiencing it firsthand? Peter does much the same. Let’s look at the Transfiguration in the context of the events surrounding it in Luke’s Gospel. Immediately after Luke records the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, he records Peter’s confession: “[You are] the Christ of God.” Right after that, Jesus foretells His death – His rejection and suffering at the hands of men. Jesus then proceeds to explain that the disciples were to expect the same: rejection and persecution for the sake of Jesus and His Gospel. Here Jesus reveals for the first of two times what it means to pick up your own cross and follow Him. What Peter sees on the mountain is just a glimpse of the prize to come, when the long race is ended, as St. Paul called it. Peter wanted to preserve the temporary glory, but already he has forgotten what must come before true glory. Peter thought the race was already over! He thought “This is it, man! The kingdom is here!” But Jesus moves the finish line. Jesus is the Passover lamb, and His blood must be shed before the real glory can be beheld. The actual race is yet to be run.
When the cloud covered them, they were terrified to be in the presence of God. Can you imagine hearing the Father speak? “This is my Son, my Chosen one; continue to listen to Him always!” Peter? Are you listening? Those are the same words you confessed yourself to Jesus: “You are the Chosen One of God.”
The disciples were absolutely quiet. The disciples did not understand what they had witnessed. They kept their silence, in their ignorance. It would not become apparent to them until a few weeks later. Only then would they fully understand what Jesus was sent to do, and what they, too, were being sent into the world to proclaim.
Does everyone remember the famous scene in the movie Rocky, where he begins training for the fight of his life, and it ends with him running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art? He gets to the top, jumps, and throws his hands up wide in the air. Pumped up, full of energy and confidence. The fight still looms ahead – but Rocky is ready for it. He has found the physical and inner strength to win.
Rocky ran up seventy-two steps that day. Coincidentally, Jesus began with seventy-two disciples sent out to proclaim the Gospel. What we see Jesus give His apostles on the mountain top today is the strength to run and finish the race. This is the same power that Jesus Himself has just received from the Father. We hear the Father command the disciples to receive this might through hearing Jesus. We see three men, confused for now, given the drive and the power to bear up their brothers when the struggle becomes seemingly insurmountable. Their strength is Jesus’ strength, and we see a foretaste of Jesus’ true glory and power in His transfiguration.
We are much like Peter. We are filled with a hunger for the prize, for the race to be finished. But we can’t go home, yet. Neither can we stay on the mountain top. We are called like every disciple of Jesus before us to be here in this world of sin. The way may be long, and it will be full of struggles. But be assured, we have been provided the training and strength to endure to the finish line. This isn’t the finish line, it is only the starting gun!
Jesus was present with the disciples on the mountain in glory. He is truly present right now, in His full glory, for you – here – this very day. Continue to listen to Him always: come down from the mountain and share the message! You are forgiven. We have our mountaintop experience here this morning. But we can not linger. There is work to be done. Go out each one of you from this day forward and be amazing. Love your neighbor, strengthen and support each other when the climb seems too steep. Jesus sacrificed Himself and conquered death for you. When the world appears to be too much, come again to this holy house and be refreshed and restored, be forgiven and healed. It is good to be here. It is a beautiful thing. But listen to Jesus. Spread the Word to anyone who will listen. Tell them they are loved. Tell them they are forgiven. And tell them, and yourselves, that the best is yet to come, and you ain’t seen nothing yet!
+ In the Name of Jesus, Amen. +
And now may the peace which surpasses all human understanding keep your hearts and your minds focused on Christ Jesus.
+ Amen +
κήρυξον τὸν λόγον