Aspiring to Greatness

Feast of the Transfiguration
Luke 9:28-43


I’m willing to bet that each and every one of us has had at least one moment where we thought that the world was perfect, that there was no way it could ever get better. These are the moments that words cannot fully describe – because they are so significant, so emotional, so truly amazing. These perfect moments are ones we try to hold on to, to keep with us. And we know that it is burned into our hearts and memories and is integral to everything else we will ever do – because it is, for us, that moment when we feel closest to our creator, and as a result we have been changed.
Throughout history, there have been significant moments like these that we share as a culture. These “flashbulb” moments, which, to be fair, may need to be renamed soon as modern technology changes so much so that younger generations have no idea what a flashbulb is. But we have those times when time seems to stand still and we are simply in awe. In our living memory, we have the first view of earth from space, the first moon landing, the mapping of the human genome, the finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls, - the list goes on. The world right now is gathered around such perfect moments in sports – we celebrate our Olympic athletes, sharing their moments as they perform tremendous acts in an effort for that podium moment. And let’s be honest – we’re all hoping to share in a podium moment with Jon Montgomery this week!
Take a minute to think about your own perfect moment or moments. Whatever it is that made your heart swell in the instant of being fully human - a wedding, a birth, whatever – think about that moment of greatness. Were you alone? Probably not. Whatever your moment is, undoubtedly there were other people involved – in the moment itself as well as in the lead up to that moment. For, as with anything great, it takes determination and effort to get there. There has to be a build-up and preparation. For the great moments in history, there have been countless scientists, philosophers, engineers, professors, etc. involved. For our athletes, there have been years of trainers and nutritionists and doctors. For us individuals, there have been family members, friends, and neighbours. There is no moment of greatness without time spent in community.
And yet – it all culminates in that high point. That second of perfection – and this is the time that we try to keep forever. This is why we have photographs and videos of our life’s events, this is why we keep mementos of such events. We want to hold onto that moment of greatness. That moment is as good as it gets; and if we could we might want to live in that bliss forever.
This is exactly what’s happening with the disciples in this morning’s gospel. Peter and John and James are going out with Jesus to pray. This is not an unusual occurrence. But it does start almost as though we’re in the middle of the story. The gospel starts with “Now about eight days after these sayings…”. If we read back a bit, we discover that the gospel is referring to Jesus having foretold his death and resurrection. The disciples at this point were probably thinking that they had no idea when or what to expect from Jesus. Jesus – their great religious teacher, their friend, their companion – has told them that he will die, and come back to life. It sounds odd, and to be fair, weird. Unheard of. Impossible. Can you imagine what the disciples are thinking? Maybe Jesus has been under a lot of stress and needs a break, or maybe he’s embellishing when speaking of his gifts and skills, or some other logical explanation. But to die and come back to life? What crazy talk!
And then for a few days nothing abnormal happens, things seem to be calming down again. The disciples must be feeling a bit better about how things are going – no more random talk of death and new life, just teachings and healings and now some quiet prayer time. How lovely – just the way things used to be.
And then – suddenly and unexpectedly – the disciples see Jesus in a new way – they see his face glowing, and his clothes a dazzling white! As though the very presence of light was coming from within him, all during the time when he prays. Miraculous. And – shocking – Jesus is no longer alone. He is with two other people, who are also looking unnaturally glowing and glorious. It doesn’t take too long for Peter to recognise these men as Moses and Elijah – because these were the heroes of the day. These were the persons from history that were used as examples of greatness. As people would gather they were told the stories of Elijah and Moses, and how God favoured them, and how their lives were altered because of their great faith, and of the wondrous things that were accomplished by them, and how they prove the greatness of God active in the world. Moses and Elijah! Standing there, with Jesus! What a perfect moment.
All Peter wants is to keep that moment alive – to hold it firm, to maintain it. This may be one of the perfect moments of his life. And so, trying to offer hospitality and act appropriately, he suggests that three dwellings be made – really, one cannot allow the greatest people in one’s history to stay outside without event a house to call home! Peter is excited, he is overcome with emotion, and he is savouring the moment. So his offer to build is simply him blurting out an idea, with the best of intentions, with a significant amount of energy and enthusiasm.
Obviously, the moment cannot last, and so building structures on the mountain is not feasible. Reflecting on it, building homes for Moses and Elijah is not really going to work, as they are not of this world; and Jesus will soon be dead and raised, so a house is not the most important thing he needs. And Peter must have known that at some deep level. And God’s response to Peter is not a rebuke but a gentle reminder of what is really important in this scenario – Jesus’ words. God speaks to Peter with infinite patience, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” And Peter understands.
God’s message to Peter is to live in the here and the now. We must not get caught up trying to hold too tightly to the past, but we must celebrate the present and be aware of the future. If we get tied down to how things used to be, of just one moment, then we become stagnant, and we will not move forward. Jesus’ transfiguration was a perfect moment, but it was not his only moment. It was the moment when the disciples saw him in a very different way – and that influenced their actions for the rest of His – and their - lives.
With that new perspective, and confirmation from God that Jesus is God’s Son, the disciples now recognized that his speaking of death and resurrection was not weird and unnatural, but that it was Jesus preparing them for their own futures, and for the future of the world. Jesus’ transfiguration changed not just his physical appearance for a short time, but the disciples’ lives and ministries. They took that perfect moment, remembered it, and had their lives changed as a result.
The people that Jesus meets immediately following the mountaintop experience, however, do not see that a perfect moment has taken place – they do not recognise a change. They simply see the person of Jesus back in town, and bring to this famous healer someone else in need of his work. Their sight is still limited and unchanged. Jesus uses this as another teaching moment for his disciples. With astounding patience, he replies to the man that he is of a “faithless and perverse generation”, one that does not recognise him for who he truly is. This demonstrates that some people will get caught up in the moment, and only use tunnel vision for their own needs. The man wants his son physically healed, and he knows of Jesus’ reputation as a healer. He is searching for an immediate casting out of a demon by an expert. The message to the disciples and all true believers, however, is that true faith will continue to heal even without the presence of the person of Jesus. This message is incredibly important, especially to the disciples, who have just realised that their time with Jesus is limited.
And before anyone could learn from this that they ought to only serve those with great faith, Jesus shows his ultimate compassion and the truth of his being. He tells the man, “Bring your son here” and then heals the boy. The man has had his physical needs met, whether or not he learns the message of true spiritual health through faith. The disciples see the miracle of the physical healing as well as the miracle of the spiritual promise, thus proving that they truly understand why Jesus has been shown to the transfigured.
The disciples’ perspectives have been radically changed because of their perfect moments. They are wise enough to see the change for what it is, and to apply the new perspectives to their ministries, to better them. Think back again to your own perfect moment. Let the joy of that moment live in you, and always be aware of how your perspectives have been changed as a result. God gave you that perfect moment, that miracle, so that you too could see your personal closeness to God, and to use that closeness to be a gift to the world around you. Be astounded at the greatness of God. Take the blessing of that moment and see it as a dazzling light within yourself – then “Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”


Copyright 2010 LMP