Stewardship of Life

Don’t Be Afraid; Be Changed

By Sharron R. Blezard, February 11, 2015

Narrative Lectionary Reflection for the Transfiguration of our Lord

February 15, 2015

When the disciples heard this [the voice from the cloud], they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. Matthew 17:6-8

Matthew’s version of the Transfiguration story contains some notable differences from Mark’s account (this week’s Revised Common Lectionary reading). For one thing, with the Matthew selection for the Narrative Lectionary we get the “deny and take up your cross” scene beforehand. There’s no mention of Peter rebuffing Jesus’ announcement about the way things will go down; rather there’s just this stark announcement of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. What it’s not is a journey to hang out and rule in the halls of earthly power or to withdraw in awe to the splendor of the mountaintop. Jesus is on a mission, and suffering is part and parcel of the journey.

The disciples must have been confused. They had figured their Rabbi, who taught with authority and healed the sick, who drove out demons and who fed multitudes, was glory bound to lift the Jewish people from underneath the heavy yoke of Roman oppression. Take up a cross? Scandalous! Surely not!

Indeed, three of the disciples do get a taste of Jesus coming in his kingdom, when they see Jesus transfigured before their very eyes on the mountaintop. His face shines like the sun, his garments are dazzling white, Moses and Elijah (Law and Prophets) show up on either side of him–with Jesus being the glue that binds and fulfills all things. It must have been a lot to take in for these three disciples. Peter, bless his heart, starts to fill the moment of awe with talk of dwellings and permanence and hanging onto this remarkable vision before his eyes. And before he can finish articulating his plan, the bright cloud rolls in and a voice says, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!”

I suspect I’d end up cowering on the ground in fear, too. This is a LOT for anyone to take in. Yet, Jesus is still there, telling them to get up and cast their fear aside. And when they do look up, everything is back to normal. Normal for the moment, perhaps, but in reality nothing will be normal again. They have seen Jesus for more than what they have known him to be. They have seen him as God’s Son. They have seen him radiate the compassion and mercy that IS his glory, a compassion for the world that is so great he will take on all the brokenness and evil and suffering and die a horrible death for it. No greater love indeed! Along with this vision, they also see a radiance that death cannot and will not conquer. They see the pure love of God radiating from the Son–costly love that requires costly, all-in discipleship.

From the moment God names, claims, signs, seals, and delivers us in baptism, we are being transfigured. We are becoming something more, the sum of the parts, the whole that God intends for us. Even though we may not recognize this transformation, it is taking place and God sees and knows and loves us. So do not be afraid, dear friends. Do not be afraid when the world is too much with you and Jesus seems so far away, so distant from day-to-day reality with which you deal. Do not fear the suffering and pain that covers everything around like a cloud. Do not be dismayed. Let your little light shine and reflect the Son’s glory because it is good to be wherever Jesus is, in the darkest, more terrifying places of earth or in the most peaceful and holy. Get up. Do not be afraid. Keep your eyes on Jesus, God’s beloved. Though him, in him, and with him you, too, are beloved of God.

For ideas for worship, time with youth and children, see this week’s Revised Common Lectionary reflection here.

(Photos: Ted, Violette 79, and Ishai Parasol, Creative Commons. Thanks!)