By transfigured Matthew means changed form. Jesus underwent visible changes in the light as he met with Moses and Elijah. Jesus was more than just the prophet and rabbi. He was the Son of God, and this experience transitioned him from itinerate preaching to heading straight to Jerusalem to be crucified.
Needless to say the three young men were overwhelmed. James and John remained speechless, to their credit. But Peter babbled something about building temporary structures for Jesus, Moses, and Elijahhe kind used in religious festivals like the feast of tabernacles. In other words, he wanted to turn the momentous occasion into a religious observance.
Apparently God wasn’t impressed by Peter’s random religious chatter. As a fog dense as the one in Peter’s head enshrouded them, the voice of God thundered, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!”
I wonder if this had anything to do with the religious nonsense Peter had prattled the week before, how Jesus could not go to Jerusalem to be crucified. Jesus, making sure all the disciples could hear, had rebuked Peter in the harshest way: “Get behind me Satan! You offend me, because you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men” (Matthew 16:23). Peter had been soundly corrected.
Now, on Mount Hermon, a week after Jesus’ stinging rebuke, Peter stood corrected again. He witnessed Moses and Elijah, personification of the Law and the Prophets, speaking with Jesus about going to Jerusalem for an appointment at the cross. He then heard God demand, “Listen to him!”
Religious tangents like the one Peter indulged are not helpful because they take our attention away from the central focus. I get the feeling that Jesus has little patience with anything that detracts from his kingdom purpose, no matter how well-intentioned. I have become wary of those who need to do all the talking, who are assured of having all the answers when actually they contribute little to the conversation. Like Jesus, I have become impatient with little customs and routines that pamper the emotions but have little consequence in the kingdom.
As we become too preoccupied with insignificant things God has to get our attention, sometimes in dramatic ways, to say “This is my son. Listen to him!” And we stand corrected.
For Peter I think the message finally clicked. Near the end of his life, as he was about to be crucified in Rome, Peter dashed off a letter to churches he had worked with in Asia Minor. He referred to the glory he had seen and the voice he had heard on the holy mountain years before. He spoke of the prophetic word confirmed, and cautioned, “you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). Prophecy is not of private interpretation, but holy prophets spoke by the Spirit of God. So listen to him! Peter had been corrected.
Today we complete our Epiphany experience on the lighted mountain top, and Wednesday we begin with Jesus the journey to the cross. Think about ways you can set aside things that distract attention away from the cross for the season of reflection and renewal.
O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP)Matthew 17:1-9 Transfiguration A 2014
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