Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ”
NL Daily Devotion for Sunday, February 23, 2020
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
Main Idea: Jesus’ transfiguration is a magnificent mystery, even as it reveals to people Jesus’ divinity for the first time.
There is great humor in this account of Jesus’ transfiguration, as well as some splendor and magnificence. Jesus asked his disciples who they thought he was. Besides a reincarnation of John the Baptist or Elijah, as rumors had begun, the disciples knew Jesus was different. He was the Messiah, the one earlier prophets had told was coming to save them from oppression and exile. Although Peter resisted Jesus’ proclamation that he would have to suffer greatly, Jesus didn’t let Peter’s lack of understanding and support deter him.
What comes next is cheeky. One can almost hear Jesus’ thoughts—You think I’m the Messiah? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!
Jesus took his closest friends up the mountain, where “he was transfigured before them.” Jesus’ clothes shined brightly and then Elijah and Moses both appeared. (How they knew it was Elijah and Moses, we’ll never know— maybe the same way we recognize images of Jesus, even though we’ve never seen him.)
Here, Peter once again gives us an opportunity for a chuckle. Frightened and not knowing what else to do, Peter suggested that they build three tents—tents that would separate the people and conceal the vision before him. Peter’s thoughts—This is amazing and terrifying! Let’s make it stop! (Sure, he might also have been thinking of leaving a marker of the event, but Peter’s not so bright.)
As if seeing dead prophets wasn’t terrifying enough, they then heard a voice from heaven, “This is my Son.” So, they thought Jesus was the Messiah. But Jesus was so much more. Jesus was God’s son.
We have the luxury of knowing the end of the story, so we can look back and see what Jesus’ life and story meant in light of him being God’s son. Peter and the others didn’t have that advantage. They were left wondering, “What does this mean?”
If we’re being honest with ourselves, we are also left wondering, “What does this mean?” The event is so far outside our realm of experience, we too, have no reference for making meaning of it. We know it was unique. We know it was of God. Beyond that, we must let our imagination weave in and out of the story’s threads, and let its magnificence remain largely a mystery.
God, at your center you ARE mystery. Help me to live in wonder of your powerful presence in my life. Amen.
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