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Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then 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.” While 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!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As 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.”
-Matthew 7:1-9 NRSV
This Sunday is the day of the church year where we hear about the Transfiguration of the Lord. It is always the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. The transfiguration account is one scripture reading most of us don't claim to understand. We know there is a lot of bright light, confused disciples, the appearance of Moses and Elijah, and the voice of God. I have always had some questions about this. First, how did they know Jesus was talking with Moses and Elijah? Peter at least must have had a clue since he referred to them by name. I feel like we have received the truncated version of this story and are missing some details.
Or maybe that's not the point at all. Poor Peter. This must have been a very confusing time for the disciples. If you read the previous chapter, first the Pharisees and Sadducees tried to test Jesus, but he wouldn't be tricked by them. He then warns the disciples to beware of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Peter then declares Jesus to be the Messiah, and in the very next paragraph tries to correct Jesus and say he won't suffer and die, to which Jesus famously replies, "Get behind me, Satan!" to the same disciple who had just declared him to be the Son of the living God.
Six days later, Jesus and his inner circle of friends are going up on a high mountain, and WOW what's going on??? Peter assesses the situation and approaches Jesus, trying to be hospitable to their special guests, it suddenly gets a lot brighter, the voice of God comes from the cloud, and the disciples fall to the ground, scared to death. Then the scripture says, "Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid."
I think we're a lot like the disciples. We mean well. We try to follow. Sometimes we get it right. Sometimes we are given a glimpse of God's glory and are not sure how to respond. Sometimes we babble on until the voice of God tells us to stop and listen. And when we are finally face down flat on the ground, we feel the touch of Jesus and hear the words, "Get up and do not be afraid." He is there with us. Do you remember the end of Jesus' Great Commission? "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20b NRSV) Always!
Whom can you touch today? Whom can you encourage? Whom can you console? Whom can you strengthen? Jesus said, "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
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