Last Sunday was Transfiguration Sunday where we celebrate Jesus’ transfiguration. It’s the time when Jesus seemingly changes in front of the eyes of his closest disciples. I say seemingly, because Jesus doesn’t change, he is still the same ordinary Messiah that he was before, but now his disciples are introduced to him in a new way. Can anyone really be called an ordinary Messiah?
From this point forward, after seeing his shiny new costume, they know (even if they don’t completely understand) that Jesus is more than they ever knew, and they were going to be changed having witnessed this event.
This story, of Jesus’ dramatic change takes place after the Jesus asked his disciples who other people thought he was, and they gave answers that were almost right, but really not close. This is the moment, when Jesus takes his closest disciples, up onto a mountain to show them just how different he is.
What’s key here is who shows up with Jesus. You have Moses and Elijah. In Jewish tradition they are literally the embodiment of the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah). They are pillars of Jewish faith.
In a stunning visual image, Jesus is telling them with their eyes, what he’s been telling them all along, that he is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, of the full intent of their faith. All of it is combined in him. If that’s not enough, then we have what God says:
The good news is that who Jesus is, is not dependent on Peter, James, and John’s understanding. Jesus is still Jesus, even if they don’t know it. Even more, Jesus shows himself to them, knowing that it won’t work all the way, but that it will help, and that it will help others who come after that and hear the story.
The disciples were still a little confused and uncertain about Jesus, even after this. Jesus is patient, and will show them who he is in a time and place that will work for them to understand, even if it means that they aren't going to know completely in that moment.
It’s been a long week, and it’s been a hard one for us as Methodists. There has been a lot in the news, and there’s been lots of confusion about what’s going on. And, after the results of our General Conference, there is still a lot of confusion about what’s going on. That wasn’t at all the result that more than maybe a few people hoped for.
As a side note, if you want to talk more what took place, let me know, and we can figure out a time to sit down over a cup of coffee. I’ve also put out a blog post about my own thoughts on what’s taken place, and what we know up to this point. Also, our Bishop will begin to have more conversations explaining things in the coming weeks.
Here is what we can hold onto, whether its this situation and the confusion we’re facing, or another one because there will be more; both in the church and in our own lives. Just as Jesus was transfigured in front of his disciples, so they could see the change, and begin to know Jesus in a new way, so he does the same thing for us.
Just as the disciples were confused as to what was going on, so there are sometimes when we will be just as confused, but the good news is that Jesus doesn’t rely on our understanding, but will work with us so that we do, even if it’s at a later time. We don’t always have to know what the next step is right when we finish the last one.
Sometimes we need to wait.
Remember, that the darkest time of Jesus life and ministry on earth was still to come. The darkest time of the disciples’ lives were still ahead of them. But Easter is still coming. For the disciples Easter is coming and so is Pentecost. The greatest times are still ahead of us, even if it means patience and confusion for now.
Our hope, and our faith is that Jesus is still working and that in time all will be revealed to us.
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