Have you ever had a
transforming experience? Can you actually explain it to people? Even then, do
they really comprehend its awesomeness in your attempt to share?
Peter, James and John
experienced one – one that is beyond description. I mean who would believe
this: the transfiguration of Jesus, appearances by Elijah and Moses, the skekinah cloud of God’s presence, the
voice of God speaking, then the Old Testament prophets and pillar of cloud
vanish into thin air? A-mazing! And… they’ve also been instructed by Jesus
“hold on to this moment and don’t share it with anyone outside this circle.” Seriously?
Who outside this circle could even grasp this encounter?!? People would think
they’ve lost their minds.
Then Jesus adds, “Not until
I rise from the dead.”
It's almost humorous if
you think about it. You have all this craziness going on -- one stunning
development elevates past the other (like in a game of "top this") –
and then Jesus provides the ultimate line, "I rise from the dead,"
that no one can top.
Viewing it another way…
C'mon, what a buzz-kill! The disciples are riding a high, and Jesus yanks them
back to his reality. Why does Jesus keep bringing up that he’s going to suffer
and die?!? Jesus “rising from the dead” meshing with their understanding of
Messiahship doesn't jibe. “Can’t we enjoy the moment, Jesus?!? Can’t we just
stay in the moment?”
Isn’t that the way life is
sometimes? Think back to one of the absolute best moments of your life – where
you felt awe-struck, free, inspired, amazed, on top of the world. Did you want that
moment to end; to leave wherever you were? To come down from the mountain? Surely
this fantastic feeling could continue. Stay here, away from the world, away
from the chaos, in solitude,… forever.
For me, one of those
moments was when I traveled to Maui and relaxed with friends, basically in
seclusion for a whole week (no TV, no cell phone, no interruptions) on a
journey of a lifetime. It was the most amazing of experiences – beyond explanation
on so many levels. The photos, the stories couldn’t truly begin to describe
those seemingly magical moments. For three weeks after my return to LA, I was
on a “Maui high,” and part of me wished I could’ve stayed in that place, in
that moment.
Yet… that’s not how Jesus wants
it to work. That’s not how he rolls. Sure, moments of solitude and of marvelous
happenings are significant, especially when making a God connection (i.e. –
prayer, meditation); however, down to earth we must come. That’s where the nit
and grit of humanity exists. What’s where we’re needed. To get our heads out of
the clouds, so to speak.
“If man, in his search for
essential solitude, shuts himself off from his fellow-men, shuts his ears to
their appeal for help, shuts his heart to the cry of their tears, that is not
religion.” [i] God calls us to be with
“the world.”
As they walk down the
mountain path to be with the world, the disciples ponder what they've been told
about Elijah and how he must come first – as the messenger before the Messiah’s
arrival – to restore all things. Old Testament verses inform them – Malachi 3:1,
4:5.
“Malachi’s prediction was
well-known among the Jews of Jesus’ day, and the disciples were no doubt trying
to figure out how to harmonize it with the appearance of Elijah they had just
witnessed. The scribes and Pharisees also no doubt argued that Jesus could not
be the Messiah based on the fact that Elijah had not yet appeared.” [ii]
Jesus says, “Guess what?
The prophecies about Elijah’s coming were
fulfilled. It was in John the Baptist. Now he wasn’t the reincarnation of Elijah
as Herod Antipas would want you to believe. Believe this though,… John came to
the world in the spirit and power of Elijah. Nevertheless, just as Herod
Antipas decided to execute John the Baptist, applying his own will as king
instead of God’s will, I, too, will be treated likewise.”
Uh,… can we please return to the mountain top? Can
we just ignore God’s call?
We can.
But we can’t.
NEXT
The imperfection of faith;
faith on fire; prayer is key
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