Yesterday was Transfiguration Sunday and my sermon, based on Matthew 3:13-17, 17:1-8; and 2 Peter 1:16-19, tried to shed light on that very mysterious scene. I regard it as one of the TWO MOST PIVOTAL EVENTS in our Lord´s ministry- the first being his BAPTISM by his cousin John. It was there beside the Jordan River that Jesus was ordained and installed for his future ministry and where he received his anointing by the Holy Spirit- an event symbolized by the descent of a dove. As he came up from out of the water, a cloud appeared overhead accompanied by the voice of his Heavenly Father declaring, This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. From then on, Jesus knew that WHEREVER he went, WHATEVER he did, and WHATEVER he said, it would be with the Father´s complete and personal blessing. The assurance he received there at his baptism would provide him with all the confidence and courage to fulfill his destiny and go to that cross.

Now, more than three years later, Jesus is preparing himself and his disciples for his upcoming Passion in Jerusalem. Before his three most trusted lieutenants—Peter, James, and John--we are told that Jesus is suddenly transfigured or transformed before them, that his face becomes radiant like the sun and his garments white as light. Then two mysterious figures appear and begin conversing with him- one being Moses and the other Elijah- the two great representatives of the Old Covenant with Moses representing the Law, and Elijah being the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. A NEW covenant was about to take its place with Christ as its fulfillment. With his death and resurrection, the Law would no longer be inscribed on tablets of stone but instead written upon hearts of flesh. Meanwhile, the prophets, who spoke of the coming of God´s kingdom, would ultimately find it realized in the person and work of Christ himself so that wherever he was welcomed and his teachings lived out, THERE is where the kingdom of God could now be found.

But then PETER has what he believes is an inspired idea. Master, he says, it is good for us to be here; let us gather some branches from around the slopes and erect three booths, like those of the Feast of Tabernacles- one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. In response to this impulsive gesture, a mysterious cloud suddenly appears overhead similar to the one which had appeared at Jesus´ baptism. And again, the very same words of assurance he had heard THEN are voiced, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. But THIS time it concludes with a loud rebuke of Peter for once again thinking that he knows better than Jesus himself does. HEAR HIM! thunders the voice. We are then informed that upon hearing that, the disciples are filled with SUCH fear and consternation that they fall upon their face until Jesus comes over, touches them, and tells them to get up so they can be on their way.

As Jesus begins that long, lonely trek to the cross, his encounter with the two greatest representatives of the Jewish faith and the repeated affirmations he receives in which he is declared God´s beloved son become most critical to his confidence and hope in the same way that those same words at his baptism became for him throughout his ministry. What occurred that night on that mountaintop will sustain him right up to that cross, REGARDLESS of how terrible it would eventually get. He had experienced a foretaste of the great reward to come, a bit of heaven to help him bear his sufferings here on earth, and doubtless he would recall that moment again and again, ESPECIALLY in his most trying hours, comforting himself in the knowledge that he was INDEED God's Son- one in whom his Heavenly Father was well pleased! From that hour on, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem where he would eventually lay down his life for his sheep.

The ending to this story is perhaps the most overlooked part of the entire drama- that while the three disciples cower on the ground after having been chastised by the Father, Jesus goes over to them, touches them, and says Rise, and have no fear. The word Matthew uses here for rise up is the Gk. Word egeiro meaning to be resurrected. In his order for them to get up, they are resurrected so that the three of THEM are no longer ever the same. Just as Jesus had experienced a foreshadowing of HIS glory by being transfigured in the presence of Moses and Elijah, so too do Peter and James and John experience a glory of their OWN, and it will become one of the most defining moments of THEIR lives. The remembrance of this extraordinary evening would fortify THEIR faith and embolden THEIR hearts so they could follow their leader wherever he led, even if it led to their OWN cross.

In fact, years later, the Apostle Peter would write an epistle to the early Church for the purpose of strengthening their faith during a time of great trial and doubt. In it, he recalls an incident from his personal years with Jesus which he wants them to remember- an event, he tells them, that will help carry them through their toughest ordeals. Of all the events with Christ he could have chosen, he recalls THIS particular scene here at the Mount of Transfiguration to undergird the fragile faith of that early church: For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (2 Peter 1:16-19)

The primary significance of the Transfiguration was to uplift and cheer Jesus with the thought of the glory that awaited him on the other side of his death. This peek at the reward to come was enough to help him proceed all the way to that bloody, God-forsaken cross. Well, this was no less true for Peter, James, and John--all eyewitnesses to this event. It was THEIR remembrance of that night that would inspire THEM and motivate THEM to stay true to their Lord REGARDLESS of the struggles and obstacles that lay ahead for THEM. This was a major turning point in their discipleship and though there would still be stumbles along the way, by recalling this scene to mind, they found their faith renewed and their resolve strengthened time and time again.

Now Peter wants this same event to serve as motivation for the EARLY CHURCH, and by extension- for US this morning. He wants US to know that in those times when WE are perplexed or downcast or afraid, we can take comfort in knowing that OUR God, OUR Heavenly Father will be there for US- supporting US even as he was there for them. We are assured that even as Christ could dispel all the dread and terrible confusion that filled his closest friends on that remarkable evening, he will come for US and no less dispel whatever fears or sorrows or perplexities we OURSELVES might feel amid our OWN dark nights. He will take OUR hand and utter those very same words he spoke to THEM: Rise, and have no fear! and in this way, we TOO shall be resurrected- RAISED UP from all our fear and sadness, RAISED UP from all our anger and resentments, RAISED UP from all our helplessness and brokenness and despair. Our lesson this morning attests to how Jesus has both the DESIRE and the POWER to help us in OUR moments of greatest need. He will INDEED raise US up even as he did his OWN disciples and we will be able to follow him WHEREVER he leads with complete trust and confidence.