Year A The Transfiguration

Text: Matthew 17:1-9 – Experiencing God

In my time as a pastor I have heard many people’s experiences with God.

I have heard of miraculous encounters where a person has physically seen the presence of Jesus during a traumatic time to give them strength.

I have heard the opposite also – a time of wilderness experience where God has seemed absent during times of struggle.

I have heard of miraculous healings that can’t be explained by medical staff.

But I’ve also heard of people who have prayed for healing only to see death being the result.

What I have learnt as I’ve sat and listened is that God works in many and varied ways.

And I’ve also learnt that experience most often can’t be repeated in the same way.

Just because one person had a particular experience with God doesn’t mean if another person follows the same pattern that the same experience will be met.

Experiences with God are up to God, not us.

As St Paul says when the gift of the Holy Spirit is given by God - To each one the gift of the Spirit is given for the common good … and God distributes them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)

We can’t control how God makes his presence experienced.

That’s what Peter wanted to do.

Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." (Matthew 17:4)

Why was this not a good suggestion by Peter?

Wouldn’t you want to capture that moment and stay there?

Wouldn’t it be great if we could control our experiences with God?

That if we asked for healing it happened.

That if we asked to speak in tongues it would happen.

That if we asked to see him it would happen.

As much as that would seem a great experience to have it would mean that we are controlling God rather than allowing God to be God.

God allows us to experience his presence in many ways.

And sometimes that experience is not fully known or understood at the time but in retrospect as we look back at our journey we see the amazing hand of God that has guided us through a situation.

For me that is a much deeper and meaningful experience of God where we contemplate on the vast richness of God’s presence rather than controlling God like a genie in a bottle that we rub every time we want something.

The deep and vast experience with God doesn’t come from getting our desires whenever we want them, as Peter wanted.

The experience for Moses was entering into the presence of God as a thick cloud covered the mountain where he was.

As we look at the Transfiguration account of Jesus with Peter, James and John, it is important to look at the context of where that is happening.

The Transfiguration is nestled in between 2 predictions of his death (Matthew 16:21 and 17:22,23).

It is also nestled between 2 rebukes – first of Peter (Matthew 16:22,23) – “Get behind me Satan, and then of the disciples for their lack of faith.

So what Matthew is trying to teach us with the Transfiguration account is that God’s glory is experienced in times of suffering.

Too often we associate God’s glory with positive physical experiences.

But here, in the Transfiguration, God’s glory is firmly set in the context of suffering.

And that’s where we need it.

When we are struggling – when we are going through those difficult times – when we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death, we want to know that “you are with me” (Psalm 23).

I don’t need the highs of euphoria whipping me up in a frenzy – I need to know “I am with you to the end of the age”.

And so the voice comes to Peter and the others, but I’m wondering if it was meant for Peter who had been caught up in the moment – “this is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!

Listen only to him, for only he has the words of eternal life (John 6:68).

As we begin our Lenten journey this year, it is a reminder to us that the journey to the cross is one that goes through the darkness of Good Friday.

And the closer we get to the Resurrection the closer we journey to the cross.

There are times of glory, there are times when God feels extremely close, there are times when I have experienced something that can only be considered a miracle.

But these can’t be relied on because we don’t know how or when these arrive; they are what some people might call “serendipitous”.

They come unexpectedly.

But what does come with certainty is the presence of God where he has promised to be:

In his Word as we read again and again the love and promises that God has for us.

Listen to him.

In Holy Communion we hear those comforting words – given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins – listen to him.

In our baptism where water and word combine to wash away our sin and regenerate us for life in God’s family – listen to him.

The context of the Transfiguration and God’s continuing glory in our lives is in the midst of suffering.

As Jesus himself said: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

And so too St Paul: I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Listen again to Peter’s testimony of that great day – now that he has removed himself from the euphoria of that account:

We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honour and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.

Jesus received his honour and glory from the voice of God – not from the dazzling appearance.

So too, our honour and glory is received not from dazzling experiences but from the voice of God that speaks to us in his Word and Sacraments.

Life may not be all glory for you.

Maybe you have been dismayed and disillusioned as you have heard of other people’s experiences of God.

But there is only one glory to be truly embraced by – when God says to you – you are my son – you are my daughter – my beloved with whom I am pleased.

That voice came to you in your baptism, it continues in receiving the body and blood of Christ – it is with you as you immerse yourself in God’s Word.

As the disciples fell to the ground in fear it wasn’t the dazzling light show experience that removed their fear, it was the gentle touch and voice of Jesus:

"Get up and do not be afraid”.

And then he journeyed with them down the mountain, down into the less than glamorous valley.

No dazzling light – no Moses and Elijah – no cloud with a thundering voice – but there was Jesus with them.

And he is with you too as he has promised – I am with you always until the end of the age.

May God bless your Lenten journey this Eastertide as you journey with your Saviour by your side.