Part 1: The Transfiguration

Luke 9:28-36   About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray.  And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white.  Suddenly, two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus.  They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.  Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with him.  As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, “Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”  But even as he was saying this, a cloud overshadowed them, and terror gripped them as the cloud covered them.  Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.”  When the voice finished, Jesus was there alone. They didn’t tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

 

Photo of traditional site of Transfiguration of Jesus Christ (Mount Tabor)

The settlement on the plain in the background is Kfar Kish.  

Taken in Palestine 2005 by Bantosh who has released the phone to the public domain.

Context:  This mysterious episode in the Jesus story that we call "the Transfiguration" foreshadows (gives us a glimpse of what is to come) the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ with a "glorious" twist ... In that moment of transformation Jesus is revealed to Peter, James, and John.   Peter had already declared Jesus to be the "Messiah of God" just a short time before and in this passage he and his friends are being called to a deeper understanding of what that means for their lives.  In this strange story that evokes memories of the founding of the Jewish community, Moses and Elijah join Jesus. 

The transfiguration happens on a mountain, which is a traditional place of the meeting between God and people.  Moses encountered God on the mountaintop where he received the ten commandments.  He also led the "exodus" or the movement of the Israelite people through the wilderness following the "pillar of cloud" which was God.  He led the people up to the promised land although he died before crossing over into it.  After battling the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and falling into a deep depression, Elijah was cared for and encountered the "still small voice" of God on a mountain.   In Jewish tradition, both Moses and Elijah had been taken in to heaven.  This would give each one a direct relationship with God and they would have been expected to know the will of God. 

Going Deeper:  The transfiguration happens while Jesus is deep in prayer ... In the book of Luke, Jesus always prays during key transitions or situations.  Here we get a glimpse of the power of Jesus in prayer seeking the will of God.  What is the role of prayer in your life?  How aware of you of God's presence always with you?  

Pondering:  Perhaps the expression "mountaintop experience" emerges from this passage.  Have you ever had one of these experiences?  What was it like?  What did you learn about your faith journey?  What did you learn about Jesus?  Have you ever shared your mountaintop experience with others?  How was it received?   What sense of affirmation did you receive?  What negativity did you sense?

Transformation ... can it really happen in an instance ... on a mountain?  Or is it mostly slow step-by-step slow growth process?  Or is it a spiraling upward sometimes, downward sometimes dance with the divine?   Or perhaps it is all these things at different times in our journey ... what are the most transformative experiences you have had throughout your years? 

Praying:  Take the time to check out  Lord of the Mountaintop: A Prayer for Transfiguration Sunday by Safiyah Fosua.  There is also a Spanish version translated by Julio R. Vargas-Vidala called Señor de la cima.  Read the version that you are most comfortable with ... Let the words speak deeply to you ... is there is line of this prayer that you could take with you into your week that you could think deeply about?  How comfortable do you feel about this.