Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
The transfiguration. What an incredible scene. Can you imagine being a mere mortal and witnessing Jesus’ metamorphosis (that is the Greek word that gets translated as transfiguration)? Watching him talk with Moses and Elijah? Seeing some big cloud suddenly come over you? And then hearing the very voice of God?
The disciples fell prostrate and were afraid. No kidding! Who wouldn’t be? I’d be running down that mountain as fast as I could. Being in the presence of God, and prophets to boot, is a very scary thing! There’s no telling what might happen!
What I find so important in this story is that in this moment God issues a command. And so does Jesus.
God commands, “Listen to him.”
And then, as the disciples are lying face down on the ground and terrified, Jesus touches them and then issues his own command: “Rise, and do not be afraid.”
So, what God wants us to hear is that we are commanded to listen to Jesus. And what Jesus wants us to know is that he is with us especially when we have every good reason to be terrified. And he calls us through his love for us to rise and not be afraid.
What does all this mean for us today?
We have no shortage of reasons these days to be afraid. Pandemic. Unemployment. Kids returning to school. Kids not returning to school. Savings accounts depleted. Credit cards maxed out.
I’m sure you could add many more concerns to the list. Bill and I have one that is particularly pressing right now—our daughter, son-in-law, and two precious grandsons all have tested positive for the corona virus. And they have symptoms.
Jesus touched the disciples and commanded them to rise and not be afraid. We must ask ourselves, how is Jesus touching us? How is he letting us know that he loves us? That he is with us? And then how might we rise, through that love—that love that comes from God—to act not out of fear but out of love?
I’m going to be praying today that despite all my very pressing fears these days that I can hear Jesus (as God commands me to do) better. Rise, Sue! Do not be afraid!
Amen.
- Sue Trollinger