The Transfiguration

Luke 9:28-36
About eight days after Jesus had foretold his death and resurrection, Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 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. 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. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 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.

The Transfiguration has always been one of my favorite stories in the life of Jesus. The Lord taken up and shown for the dazzling person of the Trinity that He is. How lucky the favored three (Peter, James, and John) were! How often would we like to see a vision just so! The theological implications of this moment are, of course, quite rich. And most sermons usually end up focusing on Peter's misquided reaction. But the thing I have always found most interesting and moving about this moment is the presence of Moses. The presense of Moses and Elijah on the mount personify (some would say symbolize, but I think it is more significant than mere symbolism) the fulfillment of the covenant history of God and his people in Jesus. Moses and Elijah, the Law and Prophets, brought together by the incarnate Lord. Moses and Elijah, whose missions on earth were never quite fulfilled. Moses, remember, whose life was all about freeing God's people from bondage and establishing them as a covenant people in the promised land, ruled by God's Law, walks up the mountain and is taken and buried by God. Elijah, tasked with speaking truth to a people who had wandered away from covenant, is carried into heaven by the chariot of fire. Neither dies in the conventional sense. Each leaves their task unfinished. Moses cannot enter the promised land. God's people do not heed Elijah and set themselves a course that leads, eventually, to destruction and exile. The task of covenant, of New Creation in God, can never be completed by our own merits. But standing there on the mount of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah see that New Creation emerging in Jesus. In Him the law will be fulfilled, through Him will the Covenant be renewed and New Creation born.

And if that is not enough there is even more, for there stands Moses. His life had been dedicated to bringing Israel to the promised land, only to be denied entry to it for his behavior by the waters of Meribah. Rather than speaking to the rock, and giving God due credit. Moses strikes the rock, and essentially takes credit himself ("What, do I have to give you water now? Ingrates!"). This has often been cited by atheists and liberal theologians as yet one more example of the capricious violence of the Old Testament God. I can see why. If anyone had a right to be frustrated it was Moses. God had freed them, saved them again and again, given them everything they needed. But again and again God's people complained, it's not enough. I think Moses was justifiably pissed at Meribah. But he took credit for what God had done, and that's never kosher (as it were). Condemned to die and not enter the promised land. Yet here he is, on the mount of Transfiguration, which by tradition is Mt. Tabor or possibly Mt. Hermon, both inside the Promised Land. By the incarnation and sacrifice of Jesus are all sins forgiven, even that of Moses. Now I know this is before the Resurrection, so I haven't fully worked out the theological implications of this, but I still find it incredibly significant that Moses here stands, in the promised land, next to the one who will set all things to rights and inaugurate the Kingdom of God.

O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.