Sermon – 03-02-25 – Transfiguration Sunday – Cycle C
Scripture: Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3:12 – 4:2; Luke 9:28-36
Sermon Title: “Jesus on the Mountain Peak”

Why do I enjoy Transfiguration Sunday as much as I do? For starters, we don’t need to be buying Transfiguration cards to send to people. This saves time and energy. This is a private celebration among people who are Christ-followers. It is an exclusive occasion. How many of your friends know what you are talking about if you mention Transfiguration Sunday?

Why else do I like this Sunday in the church year? It brings the past, the present, and the future together. It also fits some puzzle pieces together. Elijah from the Old Testament did not die. He was swooped up to heaven in a fiery chariot whilc his successor prophet named Elisha watched with anguish. Moses did die. But his burial place is not revealed in scripture. Two mysterious unknowns!

Jesus has invited, or commanded, Simon Peter, James and John to come up the mountain with him. The goal is to be in prayer with Jesus. So when sleepy Simon Peter, James, and John open their eyes, they see Jesus become transfigured. Transfigured in this situation means that Jesus glows very brightly, he shines! But more astonishing yet, is that Simon Peter, James, and John see the heavenly images of Moses and Elijah standing with Jesus. They are not just standing there; they are talking. They are not talking about the weather. They are talking about what is going to happen to Jesus on his final trip to Jerusalem. You know the story of the cross.

I am skipping some of the details to get to the heart of this story. By the way, this story is included in Matthew’s telling and Mark’s telling as well as this Luke version. Each is a bit different and then if we are looking at different versions of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the details vary. But always, the main message of these stories point to Jesus and the way the Father has things falling into place.

As Elijah and Moses are beginning to fade from the scene, a cloud rolls upon all of them and a voice speaks from the cloud. Of course, you know, the voice is the Father saying, “This is my beloved Son. I am well pleased with him. Listen to him!” Is it not interesting that the Father admonishes the three disciples to listen to Jesus? We say that when Jesus speaks to the disciples, he is really speaking to us all of these centuries later. So we shall listen to Jesus! Do we?

Do we go to the mountain peak when Jesus invites us? Do we pray as diligently as Jesus would have us pray? Do we pray with each other. Do we take our concerns to Jesus? Do we pray for our own health? Do we pray in gratitude? Do we go to that mountain to sing and dance because we feel so free and so happy? Do we go to that mountain and just sit and pray in the clouds? Are we listening to Jesus as the Father bellows from the cloud that we should? On Wednesday evening we will receive the image of Jesus dancing. Come and see! Amen