In our gospel story Peter and James and John begin to see Jesus in a new way. They literally have clarity of sight (VISION) to see who Jesus really is. They literally see Jesus become full of white bright light and then he is speaking with Moses and Elijah – Jesus is now connected to the two great-spirit men of Israel’s past. Jesus is becoming the sum total of the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Isaiah),
This story – known as the Transfiguration of Jesus— is so central to what Jesus life and mission is about that it is told in all three synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark and Luke. All three storytellers place it in this same context of Jesus telling his disciples that he is about die, and live again. This is why the church remembers this story on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday and the forty days of Lent. – Traditionally this was meant to be a time of prayer and fasting, reflecting on the life and mission of Jesus, prior to Holy week and his death and resurrection.
GOSPEL READING: MARK 9:2-10
2Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
9As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.

SERMON: ABOVE THE FOG
Rev. Paul Seebeck
What would this sanctuary look like if each of us had a “transfiguration” moment like Jesus?

What would we see, and hear?

This word “transfigured” is quite a fascinating word. The Greek word describing what the apostles saw Jesus go through is “metamorpho.” It literally means to transform, to metamorphose, to change into another form, to change the outside to match the inside.

Did you catch that? To change the outside to match the inside! In the transfiguration the outside physical appearance, Jesus’ clothes and body, match the reality of what is inside of him. God’s divine nature, “unveiled” for a moment in human form.

Let me ask that question again, “What would this sanctuary look like if each of us had a ‘transfiguration’ moment like Jesus? It’s remarkable to consider isn’t it? Would we see each other as we really are? Would we see each other as God sees us? Would we finally catch a glimpse of the glory of our God that lives in us through Jesus Christ?

This has already happened in this place during out time of ministry together. A year ago I preached on this transfiguration story and began the sermon by telling you how I much appreciated you based on what I had seen.

1. I saw light because you ministered to me, and to others in their weakness.
2. I saw hearing and listening. I saw those who were offended ministering to those they had been offended by.
3. I saw the Spirit creating life in you.
4. I saw you receiving and giving thanks for this kind of grace that is present in this place.

This ‘transfiguration’ stuff where our outsides and insides are integrated – put together – is the stuff of glory, but it is terrifying. Why? Because inherent in the word of ‘transfiguration’ is change. For Peter, James, and John life will never be the same. They have received a glimpse of who God is in Jesus Christ. They have received a glimpse into the future, where the words of Jesus would have authority over God’s words in the Hebrew Scriptures. Think of how incredible that must have been for these Jewish men who followed Jesus in his journey into death and resurrection, after this mountain top experience. They literally saw the future through Jesus Christ, and changed the world by being at the forefront of a movement that created a new way for us (all of humanity) to know God.

Thinks of how incredible it is for us who have journeyed together for the last three and half years into Christ’s death and resurrection together. Think of the moments of ‘transfiguration’ that have happened, in your life. (Go ahead – reflect on them for a moment). I’m remembering one now that happened in our sanctuary during one of our Ash Wednesday services where we all wrote down our confessions, then Don and I read them aloud, before burning them in the sanctuary. I remember hearing the conversation afterwards…“I am no longer feel alone.” Do not forget to tell these kinds of stories of God’s holiness and glory in your place.

Right after this mountain top experience, above the fog, Jesus and his companions go right back down the mountain to confront a young man who is living with an unclean spirit. Here is someone who is living a divided life, trapped in isolation and fear. In Jesus day religious leaders taught their followers to avoid those who were unclean, but Jesus confronts what is inside of this young man, moving God’s glory into the gore of humanity, towards the cross.

May we experience Jesus death and resurrection again this year, allowing God to ‘transfigure’ us, as our outsides match the reality of who lives us. May God bless us in the hearing of the living word. Amen.