The Transfiguration, Aug. 6, 2006
BCP and RCL: Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99 or 99:5-9, 2 Pet. 1:13-21, Luke 9:28-36
Transfiguration changes Jesus’ appearance, and Transfiguration can change our hearts.
Jesus goes up on the mountain to pray with Peter, John, and James, and his glory is revealed to them in a magnificent way. Jesus has already foretold his death and resurrection, so the end of his earthly ministry is approaching and its significance is now shown dramatically. His friends see him transfigured in glory before their eyes. The appearance of his face is changed, and his clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear in glory with Jesus and speak of his coming departure.
Peter is awestruck and enthusiastic, but he misunderstands what he is seeing. He wants to make three dwellings, or booths, to commemorate this amazing event, giving equal honor to Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. But Jesus is more than a patriarch, more than a law-giver, more than a prophet. He is the fulfillment of law and prophecy, he is the fulfillment of love and faith. Before the words are out of Peter’s mouth, a cloud overshadows the mountaintop and the disciples are terrified. A voice from the cloud identifies Jesus clearly: “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35). Jesus is the Son of God, and his glory surpasses their imaginations. He will not be confined to any one place, or building, or system of thought. He brings new life to faith. His life fulfills the meaning of the law, and the prophets, and our humanity.
The Transfiguration added nothing to the divinity of Jesus. He was no less the Son of God when he climbed the mountain, or at any time in his earthly ministry. But the Transfiguration changed the vision and the hearts of the disciples who were with Jesus — and the Transfiguration changes us through them. The disciples would have the memory of Jesus’ glory as they faced dark times and hopeful times in the future. Peter later recalled that they were “eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Pet. 1:16). They saw more than the reflected glory that was visible in Moses’ face when he came down from Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:29). They saw the light of God revealed in Jesus, and the truth they share is like “a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Pet. 1:19).
A man once asked a Christian hermit how to improve his rule of life. Instead of offering advice to adjust the particulars of his rule, the hermit answered, “You can become a living flame.” In the brilliant light of Jesus’ Transfiguration, we can be a living flame. We can share the dazzling brightness of new life in Christ.
Look It Up
The Transfiguration gospel also appears on the Last Sunday after the Epiphany. See the collect for that Sunday, which prays that we “may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory” (BCP, p. 217).
Think About It
How does faith transfigure your life? How is Christ’s love visible in your actions and choices? How do you see Christ in others?
Next Sunday
The 10th Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 14B), Aug. 13, 2006
BCP: Deut. 8:1-10, Psalm 34 or 34:1-8, Eph. 4:(25-29) 30 — 5:2; John 6:37-51
RCL: 2 Sam. 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 or 1 Kings 19:4-8, Psalm 130 or Psalm 34:1-8, Eph. 4:25-5:2, John 6:35, 41-51
