2-27-22 Sermon Notes “The Calm Above the Storm”

This is Transfiguration Sunday – the Sunday we remember the Transfiguration Experience of our Lord Jesus. It is recorded in Luke 9, and it is also recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Mark. Everyone (preachers, scholars, and theologians) can agree that something significant happened on that mountain. What was it? What did it mean to the disciples? To Jesus? What does it mean to us today? Let’s look at the passage in Luke:

28 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. (Luke 9: 28-36 NRSV)

So, what happened to Jesus? I’m not smart enough to say exactly, but it was something special. Jesus’ appearance changed. He was…shining! It’s like, for a moment, his glory broke through in a new way. As if that were not special enough, Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the Prophets) came and chatted with Jesus. The Presence of God overshadowed them like a cloud, and God’s voice gave the affirmation that Jesus had received at His baptism: “This is my son…my Chosen!” What did that mean for Jesus? Strength and affirmation for what lay ahead? Certainly that, and maybe even more.

What did it mean for the disciples? I think it meant more to them later on, but right now they were fairly clueless. Peter didn’t know what to say…so he went ahead and spoke right up. (Can you relate?) He was told by God to basically be quiet and listen to Jesus…good advice for us all. I want to cut the disciples some slack, though. They had just heard from Jesus for the first time that he was going to die. He would not be setting up an earthly kingdom, but was here to fulfill the prophecy of the suffering servant. Can you imagine what was going through their minds? “Wait a minute! Jesus is going to die? No way!”

But Jesus was already headed toward Jerusalem…toward Calvary. The “storm” was on the horizon. Jesus just took a little while to go up on the mountain with his disciples – to experience a new perspective – a moment of calm above the storm. This is the connection for us today.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Sam