Transfiguration

Matthew 17: 1-9 (March 6, 2011)

1) The Text

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

2) The Context

The Season of Epiphany begins (Jesus' Baptism) and ends (Jesus' Transfiguration) with a heavenly voice making Jesus known to the world (epiphany = "to make known").

The Transfiguration passage comes something out of nowhere, in each gospel playing to a greater or lesser degree a pivotal mark in the narrative (most noticeably in Luke), but not clearly connected to what comes immediately before or after. Both Matthew and Mark indicate that this event took place six days after something (Luke has "about eight days" 9:28) -- presumably it refers to those events that started with Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi and Jesus' first "passion prediction" (Mt 16:13 ff., Mk 8:27 ff.). In Matthew, it is followed by more passion predictions and the continuing story of Jesus' ministry in and around Galilee and his impending journey to Jerusalem. Clearly a "mountain top experience," it is nevertheless challenging to see how the account contributes to or advances Matthew's story of Jesus.

3) Interpretation

How many people feel called? How many believe they have heard and responded to God's voice. I raise this question of calling because I think that's part of the story of the Transfiguration that gets overlooked. We understandably focus on Jesus' transformation. But I think Peter gets transfigured as well, or at least the beginning of Peter's transformation may start right here, on the mountain with Jesus.

The scene moves so quickly that it's easy to miss. I mean, there is Peter, falling all over himself looking for something to do, when the voice from heaven literally interrupts him, saying (almost!), "Would you shut up already, and just listen to him!" But of course it's not funny for long. In fact, it's kind of terrifying, and so Peter falls to the ground, probably covering his ears and shutting his eyes hard. And then it's over – the voice, the light, the heroes of the past – nothing is left except Jesus, Jesus who is reaching out to him and telling him to "be raised."

We tend to think Peter's "moment" happened six days earlier, when Peter confessed that Jesus was the Messiah and he was called "the rock." But I wonder.... I wonder if Peter's real sense of call didn't happen here, when the voice interrupts all his plots and plans and announces that this Jesus is none other than God's beloved Son and so the most important thing Peter can do is simply listen to him.

But of course it didn't last. Peter needs to be pulled up off the ground, perhaps wondering if anything had actually happened or whether he had imagined it all. And then on the way down the mountain Jesus will again intimate of his impending death and destiny. Peter will struggle to listen, to follow, to be faithful. Actually, he will more than struggle, he will fail. And Jesus will reach out, raise him up again, and send him forth. I have a hunch that each time Peter fell down and got up again, he would look back on this day and recall those words, "Just listen to him!"

That's what I mean by saying that this is the moment when Peter's transfiguration begins – when he fails, falls, and is lifted up again and realizes that above and beyond everything else, he is called to listen to Jesus. This pattern, I think, shapes the life of every Christian. We, too, of course, try our best, sometimes succeeding and sometimes coming up short. We, too, have moments of insight and moments of denial. We, too, fall down in fear and are raised up again to go forth in confidence. We, too, that is, are called to listen, called to discern God's way in the world, called to partner with God and in this way be transformed.

4) Thought Exercise

Have you ever felt called by God? How did you respond?

How can we better hear God’s voice?