Luke 9:28-36
This past Sunday was “Transfiguration Sunday,” a day that
celebrates and marks a significant shift in Jesus’ ministry. Two things happen
around this passage that catch our attention.
First, we have the “transfiguration” moment—when Jesus’ appearance
is changed. Luke says, “…the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as
bright as a flash of lightning” (9:29). Other Gospel writers say “…he was
transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became
as white as the light” (Matthew) and “…he was transfigured before them. His
clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could
bleach them” (Mark). We get the idea—something changed, visibly, significantly,
as Jesus encounters Moses and Elijah on this mountain.
The
second thing that happens is that Jesus begins to set his eyes on Jerusalem.
From this point in the Gospels, Jesus begins to speak of his suffering, rejection,
death, and resurrection. He will remind his disciples (and us) that this is all
coming to a head soon…and it’s all going to happen in Jerusalem.
While I
mentioned in the sermon that we find at least a half-dozen themes in this
passage that are sermon-worthy, I was struck by something I had not noticed
before in my reading of this passage.
The
disciples followed Jesus when he called them, and we can imagine that there was
great hope on their part that this rabbi, this different-kind-of-teacher and
healer, just might be the long-awaited Messiah. In the stories of the times,
the Messiah would reestablish the throne of David, would return Israel to its
former splendor…or perhaps to something even greater. This was the hope.
In and
around this passage, the disciples learn in no uncertain terms that 1) Jesus is
the Messiah and 2) things are not going to play out as they had imagined. Instead
of the glory of a new Israelite kingdom, the future is marked with suffering,
rejection, death, and some sort of new life.
The most
amazing thing about this moment in Jesus’ ministry, the very miracle of this
moment, is that the disciples are still there. After hearing
about how it all ends, they are still there. With Jesus on a cold
mountainside in the early morning or late evening, hearing again about Jesus’
“departure,” they are still there. Things will not end as planned, as
hoped, as dreamed, yet they are still there. Why? Why do they remain?
I believe
they found in Jesus what we find in Jesus: They are hearing the words of life. They
are finding direction and purpose for their lives. They are changing the lives
of others around them. With Jesus, they are bringing healing and hope and joy
to people whose lives have been burdened with illness, brokenness, loss,
hopelessness. They are finding real and meaningful life in and with Jesus.
Even
when our lives do not come together as we had hoped, as we had prayed, we stay
with Jesus because in Jesus we find life. When life seems to be falling apart,
we stay with Jesus because of the peace Jesus brings in the storms of life. When
we are dismayed by all that is happening in the world around us, we say with
Jesus because Jesus points us to a different Kingdom, a different (better!) way
of living and responding to the world around us.
Perhaps
we should rename this Sunday “Transformation Sunday,” because the real miracle of
this passage is how Jesus transforms lives in midst of the brokenness of this
world, even through the brokenness of this world with its dashed hopes and
shattered dreams.
Sunday, March 2, 2025
“…Shared Ministry: Outside the Lines”
Watch/Listen: HERE
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