It wasn’t that long ago that North America had the opportunity to witness a solar eclipse – parts of the country in fact had the chance to see “totality” – where the sun is completely blocked by the moon. It almost appears as if there are flames coming out from behind the moon. We know that in antiquity this was a frightening event. People would shoot arrows and do other things to move the moon away from the sun. For us in the 21st century, we know exactly what is happening – and yet it still is mesmerizing. Once in a while there is some celestial sight that happens somewhere across this planet – and it has the same effect on those who witness it – it is mesmerizing – and frightening – and then it disappears just that quickly. I believe everyone in Russia has a “GoPro” camera mounted on their cars – because that is where we often see these celestial events. And usually when we see them, we turn to someone (if there is someone there) and say something like “Hey did you see that?” 

Now imagine the 1st century follower of Jesus witnessing an event like the Transfiguration – imagine the frightening sight of their teacher completely metamorphosizing in front of them. And not only that, but dead people are standing next to him talking to him – before it all just disappears. We can imagine Peter, James and John blinking their eyes, staring at one another and saying just that: “Hey did you see that?” Could they believe what they had witnessed with Jesus?

When things get scary and go beyond our understanding, what do we do? Do we run away in fright? Do we continue when everything seems to be falling apart, or do we walk away? We all face those pivotal moments, those life altering decisions when we find ourselves facing doubt, fear, indecision – questioning why we have gone down the path we have chosen. These liminal moments are not easy, are they? They can be terrifying.

Think about your own life – think about a similar situation in your life where you faced a decision – did you turn back, or keep going? Did you persevere – or give up? Many of you have faced such a decision – some of you may in fact be facing a similar decision right this moment. To make that decision takes discernment – hopefully getting a sign about which path to choose. This is the dilemma of the disciples this morning – which is often our dilemma. Do they go forward, or walk away? I believe Jesus knew the dilemma the disciples were facing, he was after all the one to tell them that he was going to die. And so he tells the disciples something interesting – they are all going mountain climbing. He says to them “We are going up the mountain.”

This is what difficult decisions often feel like – like climbing a mountain – hoping to get to the top to gain some perspective. What we hope is that the climb will help give us some perspective for dealing with our fears, anguish, doubt and sadness – if not affirmation. And this is exactly what the disciples receive through the Transfiguration – they receive the opportunity to see more clearly than ever that Jesus is the Messiah. But this clarity does not solve their problems. Jesus’ light does shine in the darkness, but that light does not stay just on the mountain top. For you see, reaching the top of the mountain was not their destination – it was actually a continuation of their preparation – just another part of their journey of life – and faith.

On this mountain of revelation and perspective Jesus does not accept the invitation to stay. Jesus knows he must return to face the reality of his most difficult decision – to continue his journey to Jerusalem – and another hill he must climb. You see, the Transfiguration is not an end – it is just another beginning – if not a continuation of Jesus’ story – to minister to the forsaken, the forgotten and the forlorn.

His return to the people reminds us that from our own mountains of perspective, we will also press forward knowing that Jesus joins us on our journeys. Will we always take the right path? Will we always do the right thing? Will we always go forward when we should? Of course not. Sometimes we quit when we shouldn’t – reverse steps when we shouldn’t – go right when we should have gone left.

That, my friends, is why Jesus did not stay on the mountain – why he didn’t abandon his journey – why he didn’t quit. He completes his journey, a journey we cannot even begin – dying for the sins of all people. Rather than escaping with Moses and Elijah, he comes among us to complete his journey.

Pastor Dave

“I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.”  (Martin Luther’s explanation of the third article of the Apostle’s Creed)

“And I long ago concluded something else, too. The first few years we were there, the children were still little, and our problems with them, like theirs with us, seemed little too. They were healthy and happy, and so were we. Like everybody else they had their troubles at school, but basically they liked it well enough. They had their friends, and we had our friends, but the richest part of our lives seemed to be the part we had together—the picnics by the gentian pond, the sledding in winter, the summer trips. We were a world very much to ourselves up there on our mountain, and by and large all was well with us. But down below there was another world where, by and large, all was not well. Friends got sick and died there. Accidents happened to people we knew. What I concluded then—less in a way to mar our peace than to deepen my sense of it—was that the day would come when the wild waves would wet us too, and the winds would lash us, and the great beast browsing its way up from below would raise its head and notice us at last. I concluded that even in Paradise, maybe especially in Paradise, the dark times come. (Buechner, Frederick. Listening to Your Life. HarperOne. Kindle Edition.)

Faith is an important aspect of a believer’s life – no matter what it is they believe. Some see faith as their own work – as something they achieve through their reading, experiences, and their knowledge. As Lutheran’s, we believe that faith is a gift, just like Grace is a gift. Faith comes to us through means, the means of the Gospel read and preached, the sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism, and one more element – that of the Holy Spirit.  It is through the Holy Spirit that, using the means of Word and Sacrament, faith builds in a person’s life. The gift of faith, then, is first of all a gift – and second is seen through the eyes of trust – trusting that through these means the Holy Spirit will do its work on our hearts and in our lives. 

We can say that all believers possess faith in some measure if they do see themselves as followers: Christians following Christ, Buddhists following Buddha, etc.  And because faith is one of the gifts of the Spirit bestowed on all who come to Christ in faith (Galatians 5:22-23), then the faith of a follower should show forth in how they live, how they treat others, and how they make important decisions in their lives.

As Frederick Buechner grew older, he found that life began to take away those whom he loved and cherished as the days and years marched onward. None of us can run from the darkness of life eventually enveloping us as well. But the spiritual gift of faith that comes to us as the Holy Spirit works in our lives allows us to continue to march forward, even in the midst of sadness and loss. Ultimately, strong faith gives us the confidence and trust in G-d that all will be brought to conclusion when the Kingdom of G-d comes to transform the entire earth.

Pastor Dave