Loving God, in spite of some amazing glimpses of your glory, life in this world is never easy.  Fill us with your Spirit as we gather together today, empowering us for the ministry to which you have called us, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

            There are a number of things in today’s gospel that link it with the bigger picture of God’s activity in the salvation history of the Hebrew people.  In the Hebrew Scriptures, God was known to show up on mountain tops and in clouds and in shining glory.  In fact, God had been revealed to both Moses and Elijah on mountain tops, assuring them of God’s continuing presence in their lives and empowering them for their ministry that still lay ahead.

         At the same time, Moses and Elijah are talking to Jesus about his upcoming “exodus” that he will accomplish at Jerusalem (Lk. 9:31) – a series of events that will set people free from bondage to sin and death.  It is as if Jesus is a new Moses, just as Moses had predicted in Deuteronomy, saying, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet” (Dt. 18:15) – in other words, “listen to him!” (Lk. 9:35).  All of this is in the background as today’s gospel unfolds, with both the Law and the Prophets pointing to Jesus.

         The disciples, however, were focused more on what was happening right in front of them.  They had gone up the mountain with Jesus in order to pray, but while they are praying, Jesus’ entire appearance changes, so that his face shines with the glory of God and his clothes are dazzling white.  Not only that, but Moses and Elijah are there and are talking to Jesus.  The three disciples see the glory of God shining through Jesus, and almost immediately, the vision begins to fade.

         Perhaps understandably, Peter proposes setting up some tents as soon as it looks like Moses and Elijah are about to leave.  After all, who wouldn’t want to stay a while, and be in the presence of God, and talk to a couple of prophets who were rumoured not to have died (cf. Dt. 34:1-5; 1 Ki. 2:11)?  Wouldn’t we want to do the same?  However, before Peter has even finished speaking, a cloud surrounds them and overshadows them, sparking terror in the hearts of the disciples.  And they hear a voice from the cloud, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” (Lk. 9:35).  All of a sudden, Jesus is the only one who is there with them, and he is looking like himself again.  And in the days that follow, those disciples do not tell anybodyabout the things that they had seen.

         Do you have any idea how frustrating this must have been for Peter, James and John?  They have this amazing experience, but it’s only a glimpse and it doesn’t last very long.  In the other gospels, Jesus orders them not to tell anybody what they had seen, but in Luke, they simply keep silent.  After all, who would believe or understand what they had experienced?  And then there was the coming down from the mountain – back to life as they know it.  In spite of Jesus’ transfiguration, nothing has changed in the world.

         The challenges to come are still there, and the world is still in a mess, and there are still evil, and illness, and cries for help to be dealt with.  Even Jesus seems frustrated by the transition from the heavenly to the earthly, as his disciples are unable to cast out an evil spirit. But Jesus continues doing what he had been doing, and heals the boy, and the people are astounded at the greatness of God (Lk. 9:43).

         As we consider the experience of Jesus’ disciples, perhaps we can relate to their frustration.  After all, the Scriptures are full of promises for those who put their faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord.  “If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2 Cor. 5:17).  We are a new creation by virtue of our baptism into Christ, having been given new birth by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus promises not only eternal life to those who put their trust in him, but abundant life for his followers (Jn. 10:10).

         Here is one of the many promises from the gospel of John: Jesus says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (Jn. 15:7).  Being tuned in to the Holy Spirit, dwelling in the Word, discerning God’s will as a community, and abiding in the love of Christ – all of these things are implied in this particular promise.

         Yet, in spite of these promises and any glimpses of God’s glory that we may have had, the world is still in a mess and there continue to be challenges in our lives of faith.  This is not to say that any of these promises are false – they are entirely true and trustworthy!  However, when even Jesus got frustrated with the lack of faith that he witnessed, how much more are we going to experience both highs and lows in our faith journey?  God does not promise an absence of trials and challenges.  Instead, Jesus promises, “remember, I am with you always, [even] to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:20).  Alleluia!  Amen, and thanks be to God.

Transfiguration (C)                          Luke 9:28-43a

March 2, 2025

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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