Transfiguration

Transfiguration, B

February 21-22, 2009

Mark 9:2-9

 

The transfiguration event on the mountaintop is a strange event; it not only puzzled Peter and the other 2 disciples, it has also continued to puzzle biblical scholars. (The first three sermons I preached while in college were all Transfiguration Sunday sermons. At the time, I thought it was because the day was usually near Valentines Day, and the pastor wanted to take that time off. But later I considered he might have taken that day off because it puzzled him as well.)

 

To begin to understand what is going on in this transfiguration event, we need to review what has happened in the gospel up to this point. We need to do a quick study of the highlights of the first half of Mark's gospel. We the readers know who Jesus is from the very first words of the gospel. "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." (Mark 1:1) We know that Jesus is the Christ, that is, the Messiah, and the Son of God. However, those whom Jesus calls to follow don't know that much at the outset; they think of Jesus as a rabbi. (The identity of Jesus is going to be the primary question on their midterm exam.) Only as they follow Jesus in his ministry, do they begin to learn who Jesus is, and learn what Jesus wants to teach them. What do they learn? Let's begin in chapter 1 and walk with them.

 

In 1:14-15, Jesus announces the arrival of the kingdom of God.     (The kingdom of God is somehow present in the person of Jesus.)

 

In 1:27, the disciples see that Jesus has authority over the evil spirits.

 

In 1:34, they see that Jesus has power over diseases.

 

In 2:9-12, they see that not only does Jesus have the power to cure diseases,

but that he also has the authority to forgive sins (and only God has that authority).

 

In 4:41, Jesus demonstrates an authority over the natural world (he controls the wind and sea).

 

In 5:41-43, Jesus demonstrates power over death.

 

Like God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and Moses, in 6:41-44, Jesus provides the people with bread in the wilderness. (Just like the manna in the wilderness. And he does the same thing again for a gentile crowd in 8:6-9.)

 

The evidence is mounting. Surely the disciples now know who Jesus is, right?

 

In 8:14-21, they are in the boat with Jesus, and they realize that they forgot to bring bread. They have just participated in two miraculous feedings of large crowds.

They are sitting in the boat with the Bread of Life. And they're concerned about not having brought along enough bread. (8:17-18) They have eyes to see but cannot see. They have ears to hear, but do not hear. They don't understand. (It looks like they may fail the midterm.)

 

[Do you think that there might be some symbolism going on in the story about Jesus needing two tries to heal the blind man so that he can see clearly? 8:22-26]

 

Then we come to the heart of the gospel, the turning point. It's time for the midterm exam. What have the disciples learned? In 8:27-30, Jesus asks the disciples who people say he is. (Some think he's Elijah come back, or John the Baptist come back to life, or one of the other prophets.) But who do you say that I am? And Peter speaks up for them all: You are the Messiah. Thanks to Peter, the disciples get an A. But, as we'll see in a moment, it's a good thing it was multiple choice and not an essay question.

 

With that confession, (with the midterm exam completed), it is now time for the second half of the course. It is time for Jesus to tell his disciples more plainly what it means to follow him. What it means to live in the kingdom of God. And why they are heading to Jerusalem.

 

(Mark 8:31)
"Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again." Whoa, wait a minute. Peter corrects Jesus in protest. This is not the kind of Messiah he wants. Nor is it the kind of life he wants for himself. Jesus hears Peter's protests as one more ploy of Satan to lead him away from the path to the cross, and he confronts Peter. " Satan, get lost! Peter, get out of my way! You have no idea how God works." (Message)

 

Calling the crowd to join his disciples, Jesus says, " If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me and for the good news, you will save it. What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What could you give to get back your soul? (CEV)

 

Our gospel reading (9:2-9) picks up right there. Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. His appearance changes, right before their eyes. His clothes shimmer, glistening white, whiter than any bleach could make them. Then Elijah and Moses come into view, and they are in deep conversation with Jesus.  Peter thinks this is a great moment and suggests they build three booths for Moses, Elijah and Jesus. A cloud moves overhead, and from deep in the cloud, a voice: "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."  The next minute the disciples see only Jesus.  Coming down the mountain, Jesus swears them to secrecy. "Don't tell anyone what you saw until after the Son of Man rises from the dead." They are puzzled also over that, wondering what on earth "rising from the dead" could mean. (Message)

 

What is going on here? The transfiguration event is for the three disciples. The disciples need to hear God's declaration about Jesus. The voice is for their benefit. Jesus is God's beloved Son. They are to listen to him (Verb tense means they are to continue to listen to him.) Jesus speaks the truth (what God wants). Yes, Jesus is the Messiah. Even though he doesn't look like what they might have expected, even though his teachings about his coming death in Jerusalem are the direct opposite of what they would have expected in a Messiah, Jesus is the son of God, Jesus is the Messiah, and they are to listen to him; they are to follow him.

 

Why do they need this mystical experience, this affirming word from God the Father? Jesus has just spoken to them about the reason they are heading for Jerusalem (his death), and what it means to follow him (deny self, take up cross and follow). They do not understand nor do they want to understand. (Having eyes they cannot see; having ears they cannot hear.)

 

The road now leads to Jerusalem. Up until this moment, it has been rather easy to follow Jesus. From here forward, it's going to be harder and harder. It's going to be a difficult second half of the term. (And the disciples are going to need some remedial work to understand this message about following to the cross and denying themselves. Jesus reviews it with them 2 more times (Mark 9:31-32 and Mark 10:32-34.)

 

It's going to be a difficult second half of the term. The road to the cross is a difficult journey. Many will not make the sacrifice. (10:17-31 - If he who has everything will have difficulty, then who can be saved?)

In Mark 13 we hear that following Jesus will involve suffering and rejection for his followers.

 

It's going to be a difficult second half of the term. The final exam is about the cross. In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see the agony of Jesus as he prepares to give his life on the cross for the world. For the Gospel of Mark, the cross is where we see the identity of Jesus revealed. On the cross, Jesus reveals the compassion of God, a suffering love for the world, the forgiveness of sin, the reconciling of the world to himself.

 

How strange. How difficult to comprehend. God, who is all-powerful, hides himself in weakness. God, who is all wise, hides himself in foolishness. God, who is life, hides himself in death. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)

 

The transfiguration event is a vision to help the disciples follow Jesus all the way to the cross. To go with Jesus even when it looks like he is giving in to evil. To listen to Jesus when it sounds like he does not understand the role of a Messiah.

To follow Jesus into the places of power where he will certainly be crushed. To learn that the way of Jesus is the way of death and resurrection. To learn from Jesus how to deny oneself and take up one's cross. To learn from Jesus that the cross is where we see God, and suffering is where we know God's strength. (2 Corinthians 12) To learn from Jesus that the call to follow Jesus is at once our death and our life,     a new identity, a new life in Jesus Christ. (The transfiguration event is what the disciples need to keep them following Jesus to the cross and to the resurrection.)

 

How did the disciples do on the final exam? Most did not make it to the cross, and they got an "incomplete" for the course. Mark mentions some women who watched the crucifixion from afar. And Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Jewish council, obtained permission to bury the body. And on Easter morning, some of the women, upon finding the tomb empty are given the message that the crucified Jesus is risen, and will meet the disciples in Galilee. Even though they got an "ioncomplete," their teacher will not give up on them.

 

Some biblical scholars think the story about the transfiguration is a misplaced story, that it belongs after the resurrection, instead of the middle of the gospel. I think not. The transfiguration event is a vision that draws the disciples forward, encourages them, and gives them hope for the difficult journey to Jerusalem and the events of Jesus' passion and death.

 

But it is also a sign. It is a sign that there will be a resurrection. Following the rejection and suffering and death, there will be a resurrection. The vision of Jesus shining so brightly is a message to the disciples. You won't understand this now, but remember this. Keep this picture in your heart. Remember this…this is how you will see Jesus on that day.