To Listen To Hear

Rev. Steven D. Spencer, Pastor

Luke 9:28-36

28 And some eight days after these sayings, it came about that He took along Peter and John and James, and went up to the mountain to pray. 29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. 30 And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, 31 who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. 33 And it came about, as these were parting from Him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah "-- not realizing what he was saying. 34 And while he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!" 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.

It was just before the end of World War II in a small German community that a young boy played in the street. At one end of town was a beautiful gothic cathedral and at the other end a massive munitions factory. As the boy played carefree in the street an air raid siren sounded.  The young boy stood there dumbfounded not knowing what to do. His house was at the other end of town beyond the munitions factory. A man coming out of a shop take hold of the boy's hand and led him into the large cathedral. There they hid beneath the large wooden pews.  Above them the droning sound of the bombers became louder and louder. Soon the droning of the motors was replaced by the high pitched whistling of the bombs as they fell. The ground began to shake as each bomb exploded. Each explosion seemed to get closer and closer, nearer and nearer, louder and louder.  The shaking of the ground became worse but now was replaced by the boys own shaking, for fear had overtaken him. But as he laid there a shaft of light shone through an ornate stained glass window. It was a depiction of the transfiguration. Standing there bigger than life, was Jesus, Moses and Elijah lit up like the sun itself. And behind them were Peter, James and John. The young boy gazed upon the window and it gave him a sense of calm, peace and comfort, God was still in control. Soon the air raid was over and the boy resumed his play. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Today our text begins to paint the picture with these words, "Now about eight days after these sayings [Jesus] took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray." Something was said; something so important that the Gospel writer wants us to connect the picture of what was said with today's text. What was said, was it something unresolved? Were the words were still working, still active, still being dealt with. What was said? What was so important that hadn't been handled yet.

The Transfiguration is part of a chronological sequence of events, a snap shot but hardly the whole story. If we only look at the Transfiguration we miss the larger picture of what going on, like only looking at one stain glass window. We need to back up to 8 days before. So what happened 8 days before?

In Luke 9:18 we see the beginning of this chain of events. "When Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life."  "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God." "But He warned them, and instructed them not to tell this to anyone"

All the dreams and hopes of Israel now fulfilled in those words. You are the Christ of God. You are the Messiah, the chosen one. It all made sense now. The place of God's dwelling the Temple was rebuilt. John the Baptizer, "the voice crying in the wilderness, make straight the path of the Lord." All those miracles could have never been done with human hands. Now, here, in the midst of these humble servants was the long awaited Chosen One. Things would be simpler now. Jesus would rally up the armies of heaven and earth. He would throw down the oppressors of God's people. For the disciples it must have looked like everything was happening at just the right time! The oppression of the Roman Government was unbearable, new taxes, more soldiers, and the threat of war.

Once the oppressors were overthrown the Garden of Eden or at least the Promised Land would once more be restored unto the Nation of Israel. That's what a typical Israelite in Jesus day would have believed. That was the widespread teaching at that time. Imagine the joy, the enthusiasm that must have filled the disciples upon hearing those words. No more secretly wishing about Jesus being the Messiah, now it's fully known. He is the One. Freedom from oppression, the joy of never having to work again, sitting in a garden with just the right amount of moisture and a perfect temperature. No more aches and pains, perfect health no death. Ah, paradise returned! Can you feel it, what it must have been like for them!

But Jesus had to speak those words that followed the confession of Peter. "Thou art the Christ." Words that the disciples didn't expect, the words they couldn't deal with. Verse 22 And Jesus said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." I imagine the disciples couldn’t believe what Jesus was saying. It appeared like the Lord had just given up rather than fighting his fate. To the disciples it must have been a devastating blow. For them not only was their best friend going to die but all their dreams were shattered. They tried to convince Jesus otherwise but he pushed them away, there was no way to stop it.

The account of the Transfiguration begins with the phrase; "Eight days after these sayings." the disciples had 8 days to reflect on the exchange about the necessity for Jesus to die. For eight days it soaked into their souls. What would they do without Jesus? For eight days they struggled with that news. All their plans and dreams destroyed.  This is the way we humans think; we want to remain in control of things, we want things our own way.

On the eighth day, Jesus took Peter, James and John, up the mountain. And suddenly the glory of God was revealed to them. Jesus clothes and his face shined like the sun, "Heavenly light shown from him." And that wasn't all. Moses and Elijah appeared. Both bearing witness to who Jesus is, and that indeed there is life after death. Peter wanted to build some shelters and stay there. After all it's comfortable to be in the presence of God. It's safe here - let's stay and build some dwellings. But then a cloud overshadowed them and a voice came from heaven and said, "This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!" Why did God say, "Listen to him?" Because only by listening can we hear. That word listen, means to learn.  God was saying, listen so that you might hear and by hearing, you might learn. It's the same for us, to listen, to hear, to learn.

The transfiguration is an important epiphany for the disciples.  It verifies that Jesus’ words about His coming death are true; they still will not fully understand the impact and necessity of the events of the next few months. But they will listen, they will hear and they will learn. 

The path for Jesus would still end in suffering and death, but at least it would help the disciples cope with what was happening, help them deal with the trials of the past; and those yet to come. Maybe it would give them the strength to lead the other disciples in their trials too.

Moses had appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration also with Jesus. Maybe, as the disciples pondered this incident later, they remembered that Moses had been on that mount before. Oh, not that exact pile of rock, but that same situation. Except that time Moses was not part of the vision, he was the disciple. It wasn't easy leading God's people through the desert. They were always complaining and talking behind Moses' back. "Who made Moses King anyway?" "Maybe we should go back to Egypt." It was Moses who led God's people from captivity to the Promised Land. Now Jesus came to do the same, to lead people from the captivity and bondage of sin to the Promised Land. To make a new exodus but this journey was spiritual journey and the price would be immense.

From this mountain the path leads towards Jerusalem to another mount called Golgotha, where there would be a cross. On that mount on that cross, Jesus would die for your sin.  In that cross we find our comfort and our hope. In that cross we find our deliverance from all that would take us captive. In that cross we find peace and forgiveness.

On this Transfiguration Sunday we remember Jesus standing transfigured, glowing with a heavenly radiance, right before our eyes. And the voice of God speaks out of the cloud itself. Saying; "this is my beloved Son; Listen to Him." You too share in that transfiguration. Like Moses and Elijah have been transformed, you have been transformed by the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ in your baptism. As James, John and Peter stood in the presence of God with a great cloud of witnesses you do the same when you come to the Lord's Table, where Jesus Himself is truly present. And we like those present that day don't stay on that mount but move ever closer to the cross of Calvary. 

Today marks the end of the Epiphany Season, it started with the words, "This is my beloved Son" and it end with the same, "This is my beloved Son." What an incredible testimony of the Godhood of Jesus. For we have a full council of witnesses, Moses and Elijah, the Apostles and God Himself.  All bearing witness to the fact that this man Jesus is indeed God’s beloved son, in whom He is well pleased. Great comfort is this news for us. For God is pleased with the one who would become the sacrifice for our sins, He that was without sin bearing our sins. Because of His selflessness we have full assurance and peace that comes from knowing that all our sins are forgiven, by the life and death of Jesus and cross He bore for us.

Wednesday we begin our journey to Jerusalem with Jesus. We will examine the Hidden Glory of the Cross starting on Ash Wednesday and finishing up on Easter Morning. As we prepare our hearts for the Lenten season we Listen and Hear from God, that Jesus is His beloved Son in whom he is well pleased. May that knowledge give us comfort and peace now and forevermore! In Jesus name! – Amen