Title: From one degree of glory to another
Text: Luke 9:28-36 (29-43); 2 Cor 3:12-4:2
I. At Jubilee we neither fixate on nor belittle mountaintop experiences or so-called spiritual highs. In doing so, I like to think we are simply following what the Bible teaches. Let me explain what I mean. The full version of today’s Gospel reading includes the story that follows the Transfiguration account, which scripture reference is placed in brackets. Hearers may not follow when the readings are long, so brackets are there as options for making readings shorter and more friendly in worship services. Yet there must be a reason why these scripture references are not simply omitted. Likewise, there must be a reason why Luke places the story of ‘Jesus Heals a Boy with an Unclean Spirit’ immediately after the Transfiguration account. I mentioned a moment ago that I believe Jubilee is on the right track in neither fixating on nor downplaying mountaintop experiences. This is because, as we follow Luke’s telling of the story, the Transfiguration is not the ultimate high point. It was never meant for the disciples who witness its splendor to remain on the mountaintop, simply basking in the experience. Rather, it served as a time of preparation—preparing them for what truly matters when they return to level ground, to their daily lives and ministry, and to their encounters with those around them. We say the Transfiguration is a time of preparation—one that involves clarifying Jesus’ identity and mission. I have to admit that for quite a long while, I thought that the Transfiguration was primarily for Jesus. I thought it was for Moses, Elijah, and the voice that spoke from the cloud to affirm Him as the Messiah. To prepare Him for the work He is called to fulfill. And perhaps also for the three disciples, to strengthen their confidence in the One they followed. This, however, does not seem to be what Luke is trying to convey. Earlier in the chapter, Herod in hearing about Jesus’ healing and teaching ministry raised the question, “Who is this?” (9:9). Later in same chapter, Jesus himself ask a similar question to his disciples, to which Peter gave a seemingly inspired response and answered, “The Christ of God” (9:20). Yet the question, ‘Who is this?’ demands a definitive answer, due to who Jesus is and what He is called to do. The Transfiguration provides this answer, as from the cloud, the disciples hear the divine declaration: This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to Him!’ (9:35).” Thus, the Transfiguration clearly reveals Jesus’ identity.
As Christians, we know that life is never the same after an encounter with God. The disciples initially came to Jesus with their own expectations and were nonetheless welcomed into His fellowship. For some, that expectation may have been for Jesus to lead a revolution for political freedom. Similarly, we, too, may have come to Jesus—or stayed on with Him—seeking the fulfillment of our own agendas. Yet, once His true identity is made clear, the way forward is to listen to Him. The question then becomes: Listen to Him about what, primarily? This brings us to the second objective of Luke’s account of the Transfiguration: to clarify Jesus’ mission. There is a notable difference when we compare Luke’s account of the Transfiguration with those of Matthew and Mark. All three gospels describe Jesus being transfigured into a radiant being and visited by Moses and Elijah. However, unlike them, who only mention that the two visitors were talking to Jesus (Matt 17:3; Mark 9:4), Luke uniquely notes that their conversation was about Jesus’ departure. Jesus’ departure often evokes the image of His suffering and death on the cross. Yet, had we the privilege of the disciples and been able to listen to their conversation, we would not have found it to sound morbid. The word ‘departure’ in our English Bibles is translated from the Greek word ‘exodus’ in the original text. When the conversation centers on ‘exodus,’ it should not conjure a gloomy image of Jesus dying on the cross. The Exodus was the event in which Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, guided them through the Red Sea, and brought them toward the Promised Land—a journey to freedom. In speaking of Jesus’ departure, the conversation served to affirm that He would soon lead a new Exodus. In short, the mountaintop experience as a time of preparation for ministry, revealed two key aspects of their Rabbi to the disciples: first, that Jesus is the Son of God, the Chosen One; and second, that His journey to Jerusalem would bring about the deliverance of God’s people. The group descended from the mountain and walked into a large crowd the very next day, where they began ministering to people. We mentioned at the start that Luke has a purpose in connecting the transfiguration to this story on healing. The connection prompts 2 reflections.
First, when describing different aspects of the Christian faith, we often categorize them separately. We speak of ‘spirituality versus social action; retreat versus engagement; pietistic devotion versus real-life ministry.’[i] Yet, Luke’s account seeks to challenge this kind of separation by connecting the two stories. Identity and vocation, devotion and service—these are not opposing forces but complementary aspects of faith that should be held in balance. Therefore, churches are being biblically faithful when they encourage their members to serve. However, we have all seen Christians who serve to the point of burnout—wounded believers who either leave the church altogether or move to congregations where they can focus solely on worship. Perhaps traditional churches like ours, where such an exodus has been occurring, should submit our enthusiasm and ambitions to God’s leading. To seek more fervently the guidance of the true owner of the Church, asking what He desires to accomplish in each season and focusing our efforts accordingly. The exodus from traditional churches happened in larger numbers some time ago. In recent years, some of those who left have begun to return, realizing that churches like ours still feel like home after all. If we are among those who have reembraced the traditional church, let’s approach it differently this time. Let us worship and serve, but with a better balance—holding together both our identity and vocation, devotion and service, as they were always meant to be.
Second, the Transfiguration was a momentary event, and when it was over, nothing actually changed. Jesus’ appearance radiated for a time, but His essence remained the same. What must change, however, is how we perceive Him as a result of the Transfiguration. The voice from the cloud and the conversation with His visitors reveal that Jesus is actively at work in and for the world. When we begin to see Jesus differently, it naturally follows that we will also see ourselves and others differently—provided that Jesus truly matters to us. Vision drives commitment and action. Friends, who has Jesus been to you in recent weeks, months, and years? The Jesus whom the disciples saw in radiant glory is also the One who is near and dear to us, calling us to extend to others the blessings we have received. The Transfiguration, which was preparing the disciples for what was to come, serves as a reminder today for us to see Jesus for who He truly is. And if this reminder is truly necessary for us today, then we will surely need it again somewhere down the road. Spiritual maturation is not a straight path; it involves both highs and lows. This very reality is what led me to ask a moment ago—who has Jesus been to you in recent weeks, months, and years?
II. Yet through it all, the Bible affirms that spiritual growth is inevitable for all who are in Christ. Today’s New Testament reading comes from Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church, where he writes in verse 18, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor 3:18) The phrase “with unveiled face” alludes to the account in Exodus 34, where Moses had to wear a veil when speaking to the people because his face shone with the radiance of God’s presence. For Paul, the veil symbolizes anything that prevents us from fully understanding God. In contrast, having an “unveiled face” signifies the ability to see God clearly, as He truly is, through Jesus. The words that we will be “transformed into the same image—Christ’s image— from one degree of glory to another” are truly encouraging. But before we even take in the encouragement, we should pause to be surprised and thankful. To whom did Paul write this letter? The Corinthians. And who were they? They were probably the church that gave Paul the most headaches and heartaches. Members of this congregation had committed incest, filed lawsuits against one another, and some ate like kings while turning a blind eye to the poorer members in the church. The difficulties they caused led Paul to write them a “letter of tears” after 1 Corinthians and before the letter we’re considering now. Despite all of this, Paul still affirms the presence for transformation. Surprised, thankful, and yes, encouraged—we should be all of these. According to the Apostle Paul, transformation occurs even in the midst of our human weaknesses and failures. And to be clear, Paul isn’t suggesting that spiritual growth is, or should be, a straight path when he writes “from one degree of glory to another.” His point is that God is actively at work within us, bringing about our spiritual transformation, regardless of the bumps along the way.
For those of us who are serious about our Christian walk, it’s easy to become frustrated with the way we sometimes treat God and others. I believe this is simply part of the spiritual journey. However, our energy should not be primarily directed toward getting upset with ourselves. Unfortunately, I see some brothers and sisters getting caught in this cycle of self-criticism. Our energy should instead be channeled towards focusing on the Lord. We should keep looking to Him, who is always looking at us, and allow ourselves to be gradually transformed into the glory of Jesus that we glimpse. And this transformation, Paul reminds us, is to be done boldly and with freedom. Let us again make 2 reflections, first on freedom and then on boldness.
Freedom. We live in a time that values freedom. A time filled with endless choices—purchases to make, ideas to explore, ways to seek fun and pleasure. In such an era, it is easy to imagine freedom as autonomy—the ability to do whatever we like, while believing that God will simply continue to like us as we are. But Paul speaks of a different kind of freedom: the freedom of communication. [ii] Or, as The Message translation of 2 Corinthians 3:18 puts it, we are free to communicate with God, as if there’s nothing between us and the Lord. This freedom cannot be a passive or abstract concept, but is grounded in an active, ongoing relationship with God. It is a gift that invites us to share all of life with Him—including our struggles and challenges. And when God, in turn, shares His wisdom and strength with us in all these life situations, and we response in obedience, we naturally embark on the path of “being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Cor 3:18). Next, boldness. For Paul, boldness meant unwaveringly proclaiming the truth about God to a church that, at times, doubted him and even opposed him. For us, boldness includes sharing our faith with others. However, in our postmodern era—where people are more receptive when trust is established—boldness may first take the form of what one author calls ‘bold listening’[iii]. When we open our ears to a godly person, we position ourselves for transformation. When we truly listen to someone who has yet to know Christ, we create space for them to, in time, open their heart to God. On the screen is an image of a statue sculpted in honor of Booker T. Washington, an educator. In 1881, Washington founded Tuskegee University in Alabama. The statue depicts him lifting a veil, symbolizing the removal of ignorance so that the light of education may illuminate his path, enabling him to progress and thrive as an educated member of society. Our Lord is in the business of lifting veils—veils of ignorance, sin, and death—so that individuals may live in the fullness of God’s truth. We can play a part in this transformative work, and bold listening is a fitting starting point. By listening with openness, we join our Lord in His mission, creating space for His truth to shine through.
[i] Galbreath, P. taken from, Jarvis, Cynthia A.; Johnson, E. Elizabeth. Feasting on the Gospels–Luke, Volume 1: A Feasting on the Word Commentary (p. 745). Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition.
[ii] Seifrid, Mark A.. The Second Letter to the Corinthians (The Pillar New Testament Commentary (PNTC)) (p. 177). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.. Kindle Edition.
[iii] Isabelle, C. S. taken from David L. Bartlett; Barbara Brown Taylor. Feasting on the Word: Year C, Volume 1: Advent through Transfiguration (p. 1083). Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition.
