If you happen to be a fish, you don't really want to get caught. In fact, getting caught is quite frowned upon - especially if you get taken in, hook, line and sinker. No - if you're a fish, you're probably quite comfortable right where you are, as long as there is food to be found.

The disciples had been with Jesus for quite a while by this time. They had travelled with him, shared meals with him, and listened to his teaching. They had watched, as Jesus healed all who came to him. They had marvelled at some of the miracles that they had seen Jesus perform, for they had seen him feed over five thousand people, walk on water and still a storm (cf. Mt. 8, 14). The disciples had witnessed many amazing events.

Yet, Jesus had started to say some troubling things. Only a few weeks ago, he had started talking about how he would suffer at the hands of the elders and the chief priests, and about how he would be killed and then raised on the third day (Mt. 16:21). At the time, Peter had gotten quite upset and had told Jesus that it simply could not be so! "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you" (Mt. 16:22). Yet, Jesus had insisted that this is the way it must be.

Then Jesus had started talking about people taking up their cross in order to follow him (Mt. 16:24). Was that how he was going to die? The disciples were horrified. How could this be, if Jesus really was the Messiah? Why would this happen to somebody who was such a great teacher and healer? They simply couldn't comprehend what Jesus was saying.

Finally, Jesus had started talking about the Son of Man again, and had said that he would come with his angels and "repay everyone for what has been done" (Mt. 16:27). Then, Jesus made a really strange promise. He said that some of the disciples would not taste death before they had seen "the Son of Man coming in his kingdom" (Mt. 16:28).

It is just six days after some of these really strange statements by Jesus that he goes up the mountain with Peter, James and John. As they watch, he is transfigured, transformed, made glorious. His face shines like the sun, just like Moses' face had shone when he had been in the presence of God (Ex. 34:29). His clothes are pure white, just like the Ancient of Days described by Daniel (Dan. 7:9). Moses, representing the Law, and Elijah, representing the prophets, are both there, talking with Jesus.

Now Peter thinks that this is just such a great experience that they should stay a while. Perhaps they should just celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (or the Feast of Booths) right there and build some shelters out of palm branches and leafy tree boughs and willows (Lev. 23:39-43). That way, they would get to stay there and celebrate for seven days!

However, before Peter can even complete that thought, a bright cloud surrounds them, just like happened to Moses when he went up the mountain to receive the Law (Ex. 24:15-16). Then, they hear a voice from the cloud: "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" (Mt. 17:5).

Suddenly, the disciples realize that they have just seen God. The cloud, the voice, the shining face of Jesus... it all points to the presence of the living God. The disciples are terrified. They have been taught all their lives that anybody who actually sees God will die. So they, quick, fall to the ground and hide their faces. Maybe God will go away if they just hide their faces quickly enough.

And then, while they are still hiding, Jesus touches them and tells them to get up. There is no need to be afraid. They are still alive and well. Jesus looks like himself again, and everything seems to have returned to normal. Now, it is time to go down from the mountain, and to keep this experience to themselves until after Jesus, the Son of Man, has been raised from the dead. Soon afterwards, Jesus tells the disciples, once again, that he will suffer, and be killed, and then be raised on the third day.

Peter, James and John were privileged to share in an experience that many people can only dream of. For a brief moment, they stood in the presence of God, and saw Jesus as he really was. They were allowed to hear the voice of God and stand in the company of great men of faith like Moses and Elijah. These disciples were allowed to experience a moment of clarity -- a moment when they knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that God was real and that Jesus had come as the Son of God. If only each one of us could have an experience like this -- something that would make our faith so strong that we could withstand anything.

BUT... be careful what you ask for. I believe that part of the reason that these disciples were allowed to share this experience with Jesus was that they were going to need it in order to carry them through the rough times ahead. They were going to witness their Lord and Master being arrested, whipped, mocked, falsely tried, and then crucified. Later, they were going to be dragged before kings and emperors and asked to give an accounting for their faith. They would be tortured, imprisoned, made fun of, and even put to death because of their faith in Jesus. They were going to need an experience like this in order to keep their faith alive and well.

Perhaps we also are given experiences of God's presence and power according to what will be demanded of us as disciples of Jesus. It is not so far-fetched an idea if you look at the witness of Scripture and of more recent people of faith. You can look at the apostle Paul, who met Jesus in a blinding light on the road to Damascus, and then was used by God to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. He was one who certainly looked back on that experience of the presence of Christ as he ended up enduring torture and imprisonment and testifying before kings and emperors.

I think also of the story of Dewy and Veda Mauk, which I shared with you previously in connection with the painting, the "Compassionate Christ". They experienced the physical presence of a man that they knew to be Jesus Christ. Following this experience, they endured serious illness and the loss of their livelihood. However, through it all, God worked through them to touch the hearts and strengthen the faith of thousands of people simply by sharing their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Even if you think back as far as Elijah, he was given an experience of the power and presence of God that would enable him to continue to serve as God's messenger. When Elijah went out into the wilderness and journeyed to Mount Horeb, he had given up and was ready to die. However, on the mountain God passed by and spoke to Elijah out of the sound of sheer silence. After this experience of standing in the presence of God, Elijah was able to go out and continue his work as God's prophet (1 Ki. 19).

Of those who receive such powerful visions and revelations, much is expected. God doesn't appear in these ways so that people can just sit back and bask in the knowledge that God appeared and spoke to them. Instead, in each case these people are sent out on a mission. They are sent out in order to carry God's message to others. They are sent out in order to make the love of God known in word and deed. They are sent out in order to put their faith to work. So be careful what you ask for!

It needs to be pointed out here that not all experiences of the power and presence of God involve visions of light and hearing God's voice. Sometimes it is as simple as a prayer and a hug from an understanding friend. Sometimes God's presence is felt in a particularly powerful worship experience. Sometimes a glimpse of the majesty and intricacy of God's creation can arouse in us a powerful sense of the presence of God. Sometimes we get a glimpse of God's presence in a dream. Sometimes we are able to marvel over how God has answered our prayers. Sometimes we can feel the fire of God's love burning in our hearts. However it is that we experience it, God is present with us and ready to work through us, by the power of the Spirit of Christ.

We, too, are sent out, having experienced the presence of Christ in Holy Communion. We, too, are sent out, having experienced the presence of God through the Scriptures. We, too, are sent out, having worshipped in the presence of God and been moved by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God who reveals himself to us through our Lord Jesus Christ and strengthens our faith along the way. Amen.

The Transfiguration of Our Lord (A) Mt. 17:1-9 February 6, 2005 St. Luke's Zion Lutheran Church Pastor Lynne Hutchison Moore

? 2005 Lynn Hutchison Moore All Rights Reserved