Transfiguration

Reading 2 Corinthians 3.12-4.2

Since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Gospel Luke 9.28-36(37-43)

Jesus took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendour, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfilment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no-one at that time what they had seen.

The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.”

“O unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”

Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

Sermon

Transfiguration of Our Lord – last week before Lent. Ending of Christmas and Epiphany season. Christmas = God revealed in human form. Transfiguration = Jesus in human form revealed as God.

Transfiguration – all about what is hidden and what is revealed.

OT Reading – Exodus 34
²⁹ When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.

Aaron and people afraid to go near him. So Moses veiled his face. Continued to do so whenever came out of tabernacle after he has spoken to the Lord. Message given by people of Israel is clear. God scares them. When Moses left them, they made god of their own they could stand to look at.

I Corinthians
Paul picks up on this word veil 4 times. He takes this story of Moses’ veil as allegory of Old Covenant with God. In Hebrew scriptures, encounter with God was frightening experience. Its effects had to be masked by veil. Paul goes on to say the good news can only be fully understood and accepted when veil removed. Until then, we can only perceive dimly what is deliberately concealed – the glory and majesty of the Lord.

The veil is removed by Christ. Only through him can we see clearly the appearance of God without fear. Our hearts and minds set free by action of Holy Spirit. Only when veil lifted do we finally see glory of the Lord with clarity – no longer hidden from our sight, no longer afraid to encounter.

What is result of veil being lifted?
Result is that our sight, but also our mind and our faith are de-veiled or revealed. Result = transformation or transfiguration.

¹⁶ But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
II Corinthians 3

Transformed – word is metamorphoumetha – a metamorphosis has occurred. We are different afterwards. Same word for Transfiguration in Matthew and Mark.

Luke
Luke does not use word Transfiguration. Only says Jesus’ face was altered.

Let’s imagine we are with Peter, James and John. It’s only 8 days since Peter’s bold declaration:
²⁰ "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "God's Messiah."
This was followed by Jesus’ passion prediction. He said he must suffer and be killed. Anyone who seeks to save his life will lose it, Jesus goes on to say. Hardly encouraging.

So here we are up the mountain. Jesus has come to commune with the Father. Maybe to talk with God about his destiny. This may explain why Moses and Elijah spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfilment at Jerusalem.

Along with the other disciples, you are sleepy after the long climb and have probably dozed off. But you’re suddenly wide awake when Jesus’ glory is revealed, and you see two men standing with him.

Being a Jew you are familiar with the Law and the Prophets. The two figures of Moses and Elijah are both associated with mountain tops. Elijah fled to Mount Horeb In I Kings 19 and had an encounter with God, not in the forces of nature but in the sound of sheer silence. Moses went up Mount Sinai and received the tablets of the testimony from his encounter with the Lord.

Moses and Elijah are both dead. They are in the nearer presence of God, knowing intimately his will. So they are well qualified to converse with Jesus about his destiny and future in Jerusalem.

You are amazed at what you see, but happy to be shown the glory of the Messiah after his news about suffering and death. So you together think of staying up that mountain for all time in the presence of God’s glory, away from trouble. Why not build dwelling places, so the moment can last forever, and the predication of suffering and death may be forestalled?

Mountain top experiences are like that. We never want them to stop. We prefer to remain in the cocoon and be shielded from harsh reality for all time. All too soon the spell is broken and reality breaks through. The figures disappear in the mist, and the voice of God is heard. Jesus’ destiny as Son of God is affirmed. What he predicted will come to pass. There is no getting away from it.

Like the other disciples, you are frightened and wonder whether anything really happened. Was it all a dream? How silly would you look telling others about the strange appearance of men in shining white at the mountain top?

You talk about it with the others, and make a pact. Nothing will be said. You will keep it to yourselves, for the time being, anyway. The veil of fear is not yet quite lifted. That will only happen after the crucifixion, when the new covenant will break through and the veil is taken away.

¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Amen