Moving From the Cradle to the Cross and the Transfiguration

This coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Traditionally, this period is used to prepare us for Easter as we think about the 40 days of temptations Jesus endured in the wilderness. It is a time when we travel together with Jesus out of Galilee towards Jerusalem and the cross.

In the scriptures, Jesus’s final journey begins to take on increasing conflict with rulers of the world and human ways. Even his closest followers have doubts and misgivings about Jesus’s intentions to go where he will be murdered by the society he came to save. His words about his resurrection in three days are lost in the fear and confusion haunting his disciples. But, before the journey south to Jerusalem, something important happens that is often overlooked or ignored in our rush to Easter and the celebration of the resurrection. In Jesus’s journey from the cradle of his birth to the cross of crucifixion, a mountaintop in Galilee was lit up with the glory of God. It was the Transfiguration, and we are wise to pay attention.

It is one of those stories about Jesus’s ministry that certainly appears to be important but often leaves the contemporary reader with more questions than answers. The Transfiguration requires me to stop and ponder the significance of what I’m reading. The Transfiguration takes the reader back to consider the Old Testament prophets, the Law that is given to guide the people to salvation from Egypt and keep them close to the Lord. It exposes the divine nature of Jesus even as he lives out his life in the fragile nature of his humanity. The story shows the reader, along with the Apostles, what they cannot see, but only slowly begin to understand. This bodily earth-bound Jesus has another nature besides his humanity. In this short moment, the revelation of Almighty God, known by the Law/Scriptures given through Moses and told through the prophets of the Lord culminates in Jesus of Nazareth. This one-of-a-kind scene ends with the voice of God telling the disciples “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!”

Spiritual growth with Jesus Christ is one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity. It is a gift that should not be left unopened. But first, we must listen. We must take the time to consider what is beyond our ordinary experiences as we live our normal, mortal lives. Even as we are confronted by questions, even doubts, we must listen. Listen before we understand, listen when we disagree, listen when we are angry or disappointed. Our spiritual journey with Jesus begins with a turn toward Jerusalem. In the Gospel of Luke Jesus said, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised.” Then he said to them all, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it” (Luke 9:22-24 NRSV).  To go to Jerusalem, to understand the cross, and to revel in the resurrection, we need to look upon the Transfiguration. 

On Sunday, we will read the story of the Transfiguration from Mark 9:2-9 and consider what this means to us, today. Join us and let’s journey together.

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

Pastor Rick