WAYSIDE EMAIL LECTIONARY DEVOTIONS
Scripture Reading for Sunday, February 19, 2012
Transfiguration of the Lord
Mark 9:2-9
The Transfiguration
9:2Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
The Coming of Elijah
9As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Dear Friends,
I can relate to Peter, James, and John. I went to my Association of Presbyterian Church Educator’s national conference two weeks ago and had visions of Jesus in new and different ways. It lasted longer than the transfiguration (unless it lasted five days), but I am still descending the mountain after almost two weeks.
When visions are offered we revel in them while we are there but, however long they last, we must return home to the place we were before the mountain top experience. We descend into the old patterns and old concepts and old habits. The descent is disheartening, because the vision comes along side us to make us dissatisfied with how we live our faith.
Jesus’ wisdom of silence is prudent and kind. It is unfair to vent our disappointment with people who did not benefit from the vision. Jesus suggests to the disciples to wait for the right moment to share their experience. The time of his death and resurrection suggests that the time will be when others are dissatisfied with their vision of Jesus and need a new understanding to live their life faithfully.
In protestant churches the transfiguration usually proceeds the first day of Lent. After all, it is the season of descending and examining and of discontent. We descend until Good Friday (or a Good Friday) when our old image of Jesus must die if we are to be raised to new faith in Him.
Peace to you, Keith