Calvary Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Debra May Cerra
February 14, 2010 –Transfiguration of the Lord

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 (NRSV) Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, 13 not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. 14 But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. 15 Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; 16 but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 1 Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.

Luke 9:28-36 (NRSV) Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"—not knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

The Cloud

Have you ever been in a cloud? Now I don’t mean those days when you sense a dark, foreboding haze – like a black cloud – is following you around. Nor am I talking about the day when you realize that the love of your life loves you back. You know, the day that you find yourself “on cloud nine!” And am I not talking about the times when you’re asked a question but you haven’t got the “foggiest” notion what the answer is and people think you have your head in a cloud. I just want to know, have you ever been in a cloud?
Anyone who has flown in a commercial jet has seen big clouds, soft clouds, shiny clouds and dark rain clouds. When you’re cruising at higher altitudes, many times the plane burrows into a cloud and the view outside the little porthole-like window is blotted out. From this position the cloud doesn’t look fluffy and soft. It looks as though a grey ominous veil has been pulled across the glass. You can almost see tiny drops of water whizzing by. Yet once you’re through the cloud, looking down on it reminds you of cotton balls or marshmallows or a big white feather quilt. Clouds look different from different angles.
This morning our scripture reading from Luke’s Gospel is about the Transfiguration of Jesus, which is also recorded in Matthew and Mark. The story is multifaceted – using almost a slide show like presentation of the important points. Let look at them one at a time.
The first slide presents four men on a mountaintop. Jesus has taken Peter, James, and John with Him to pray. While on the mountain something mysterious happens. “The appearance of Jesus’ face changes and his clothes become blinding white.” (29)
Then, boom, the next frame has two men talking with Jesus. We are told they are Moses and Elijah. Now, it isn’t happenstance that Moses and Elijah show up. They bring an unspoken message. On the one hand “Moses is a figure that reminds us of the past; the exodus event and the responsibility of the Jewish people to teach the commandments given to Moses at Mount Sinai. (Mal 4:4)
On the other hand, Elijah is the prophet who the Jews believe will one day turn people’s hearts back to the covenant. (Mal 4:5-6) In Jewish thought Elijah is associated with the end times.” Together, the three men “talk over Jesus’ exodus, the one He is about to complete in Jerusalem.” (31) Moses and Elijah are bookends to the transfiguration of Jesus – an event that focuses on the saving work of God through Jesus. In His transfiguration, Jesus’ mission becomes clear. Jesus will continue God’s redemptive work which began at the exodus and continues through the end of time.
            The next slide reminds me of a scene from The Wizard of Oz – minus the witches of course! Remember the field of poppies? The four friends can see the Emerald City but, as they begin to run through the flowered field, Dorothy and the lion can’t stay awake. The scarecrow and tin man don’t know what to do. Well, in our story, we are told that even as this mystical meeting between Moses, Elijah and Jesus is happening, “Peter and those with him were slumped over in sleep. When they came to, rubbing their eyes, they saw Jesus in his glory and the two men standing with him.” (32) the disciples almost miss the experience because they are sleeping!
            Maybe it’s because he is awakened with a start, but Peter is pushed into doing what Peter does best – “babbling on and on!” Without thinking, he blurts out, “Master, this is a great moment! Let's build three memorials: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." (33) Just what is Peter thinking?
            The final frame captures the mystery of this moment. As Peter rambles on,
“a light-radiant cloud enveloped them. As they found themselves buried in the cloud, they became deeply aware of God. Then there was a voice out of the cloud: "This is my Son, the Chosen! Listen to him." (24, 25)
            These three fishermen find themselves enveloped in a cloud – not a fluffy, white one or an ominous dark one; this is a “a light-radiant cloud” in which they are buried. As they try to get their bearings; as they try to sort out just what is happening, they hear a voice come out of the cloud: "This is my Son, the Chosen! Listen to him."
            How can you explain an experience like this? What words would you use: awesome, unbelievable, shocking? Frightening, confusing, foreboding? The disciples could not define this moment. We are told they “were speechless. And they continued speechless, said not one thing to anyone during those days of what they had seen.” (36)
There was once a brilliant magician who was performing on an ocean liner. But every time he did a trick, the Captain’s parrot would yell, "It’s a trick. He’s a phony. That’s not magic." Then one evening during a storm, the ship sank while the magician was performing. The parrot and the magician ended up in the same lifeboat. For several days they just glared at each other, neither saying a word to the other. Finally the parrot said, "OK, I give up. What did you do with the ship?"
            The parrot could not explain the magician’s last trick. It was too much to comprehend. And I’m sure the disciples probably didn’t know exactly what to make of the transfiguration either. It was real, but at that point they hadn’t quite figured it out. They couldn’t quite explain that part with the cloud.
            At one time or another most, if not all of us, have had an unexplainable happening; a time when we recognize that our lives are about to be or have been forever changed. Many times it’s not words that convey its message to others; sometimes the incident is so poignant that we glow from the experience. Isn’t that how we would explain knowing when someone is “in love” or got “great news about a pregnancy” or “shot their first hole-in-one?”
            There are times in life that words aren’t enough; there are times that need to be experienced to appreciate the full impact of the moment. Have you ever seen a young child open a birthday card and find $20.00? Have you ever been with a senior when he opened an acceptance letter from his first pick school? Did you ever watch a parent or grandparent hold a new baby? Do you remember the look on the dad’s face as he walks his daughter down the aisle? No words are needed; the “glow” says it all. In these kinds of experiences, we come out of the cloud, and every word seems to be written on our faces.
They couldn’t explain the experience, and yet the events of the transformation had a profound effect on Peter, James and John. On that mountain, they see Jesus’ glory and they hear God’s words. They are invited into the very presence of God as they are enveloped in a light-radiant cloud of mystery and majesty.
On that mountain, these three commit themselves to live as Jesus’ disciples: to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him. Somehow they understand that Jesus actually is God’s Son – that He is the Messiah! We are told that Peter was martyred – crucified upside down so tradition says. James was killed by Herod. John was imprisoned into his old age. These men willing sacrificed their lives for the gospel because they were transformed by Jesus. In that cloud, these disciples realized the need to listen to Him!
Once again we hear the story of the transfiguration of Jesus and we remember the details: Moses and Elijah and Jesus talking on the mountain; Peter, James and John overcome with sleep; a light-radiant cloud enveloping the men; and God’s voice saying, “This is my Son, the Chosen! Listen to him."
Friends, like Peter, James and John, are we ready to wake up and embrace the mystery that is found within the cloud? Are we ready to listen to Jesus and become one of his disciples? Sisters and brothers, are we ready to allow the message of Jesus to transform us and give us courage to live a life that radiates God’s love?
            Amen and amen.