Matthew 17:1-9 Be Dazzled, then Share the Vision

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Today is Transfiguration Sunday- and for those who don’t geek out over the church calendar the way I do, let me tell you why it’s such a cool Sunday. We've come to the close of the season of Epiphany, the season of light, and we prepare in a few days to begin Lent, a time anticipating the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, which of course leads us to Easter.

So in between Epiphany and Lent, we get this one Sunday to celebrate a story of Jesus becoming light so bright that no one on earth can produce it, a flash of brilliant, blinding revelation that illuminates not only who Jesus is (just in case that wasn't clear by now), but also Jesus' mysterious words about his coming suffering, death, and rising again. Jesus becomes the kind of light that dazzles us.

Matthew 17:1-9 Be Dazzled, then Share the Vision

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "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."

While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

A year ago, I completed a 4-year continuing education experience called Next Generation Leadership Initiative, a UCC “young clergy cohort” training as church leaders for an ever-changing 21^st Century religious landscape. It was a weird year, because we 14 colleagues in our cohort have become extremely close, and knowing it was the end was hard. We come from all over the US, and because our training occurred in AZ, seven of us decided to mark the completion of our time together with a trip to the Grand Canyon. I’d never been, and I was thrilled I could make it work! We rent 2 vehicles and drive the 3 or so hours to the south rim of the canyon, arriving just before dusk. This is January, so there’s ice and snow to tromp through from our cabin to the edge, but we want to see that Grand Canyon before dark.

It’s a moment I’ll never forget. I was standing by my friend Caela as we peer over the edge for the first time. Seven of us, all silent as we gaze onto the most beautiful landscape we’ve ever seen. God’s artistry on full display. After taking it in, I glance at Caela with tears in my eyes, who looks at me through tears of her own, and we know that together we’ve seen the divine.

Peter, James, and John- up high on that mountain must have felt something of what Caela and I experienced at the Grand Canyon. The divine light before them, within them, moving them to proclaim how good it would be to just stay there forever! Dazzled by the glory, in awe at the wonder of seeing God’s artistry on full display.

Then God’s voice breaks into the magical moment, confirming for the disciples who Jesus truly is: the son of God. And not just divine, but personal- worthy of our attention, because he’s willing to leave his divinity for the sake of humanity. “Listen to him.”

And what does Jesus say? Don’t be afraid. Come down the mountain with me. We still have work to do. Hold onto this vision for the right moment. There’s still more to my journey: betrayal, suffering, questions, pain, and death. You’re going to need to hold this mountaintop moment in your hearts to get your through. And when it does (and it will), SHARE what you know with others. Spread the vision of hope you received when I dazzled you just now. Be prepared in your hearts to give assurance to others in their own time of suffering and betrayal. I am among them, my face shining like the sun.

My friends and I spent a full day at the Grand Canyon, hiking the perimeter and taking as many photos as we could. At one point, I tried facetiming my kids, wanting desperately for them to share in the sheer glory I was experiencing. And let’s just say, they were less than impressed. And it occurred to me, it was my job to hold onto the vision I experienced there, for when the time was right to share it with others. Because to truly behold God’s dynamic artistry at the Grand Canyon, you just have to be there.

Maybe that’s what Jesus was saying to his disciples. Don’t stay on the mountain forever, go down when the time is right and invite others back up the mountain with you! Spread your vision, inspire others to yearn for the same sensation of being dazzled by God’s brilliance.

I’m curious if you’ve had a moment of feeling dazzled by God’s holy wonder? By divine love? By a sensation of utter peace? And I’m curious how you’ve been able to invite others to share in that glorious experience with you? It doesn’t have to be the Grand Canyon- it could be a bible study. Or a deep friendship. Or a shared conversation. Or a vulnerable moment in which your hearts is opened to another. Jesus dazzles us in all kinds of ways. And when it occurs, let’s be dazzled together- always prepared for when the time is right to share that vision with another.

God’s goodness is on display always, maybe even within you. Are we ready to share it? Lent is a great time to set spiritual intentions. I’d like to offer a challenge this Lent: if it’s been awhile since you’ve been dazzled by God’s brilliance, actively seek it out. In nature, with a friend, here in the sanctuary. And soak in the wonder of the beauty God is capable of creating, even within our own bodies.

And if you feel God’s brilliance within you already, now’s the time to share that vision. I offer you the challenge of picking one friend or colleague and inviting them into whatever it is that inspires you to see God’s brilliance on full display. It doesn’t have to be a trip to the Grand Canyon, but it can be! 😊 Or anywhere that dazzles you. Because you know within you what is from God, and that’s the vision we’re called to share.

Matthew 5: 21-37 Jesus Changes the Conversation on Hell, Divorce, and Swearing

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One of the things Jesus is really good at is re-interpreting the law (like Moses, OT) in the light of love. Last week we heard him say, “I have come not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it!” In other words, Jesus’ love fulfills the law. And I can’t think of a better scripture to celebrate Valentine’s Weekend than Matthew 5: 21-37, a text about…. hell, divorce, and swearing! Is anything more romantic that that? J Let’s listen how Jesus changes the conversation on these hot-button issues, from law to love, death to life:

[Jesus said:] "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell. "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

"Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one."

So these religious laws Jesus chooses to highlight here- they’re all about how we relate to others. Jesus re-interprets OT law with a relational dynamics. From law, to love. Let’s start with hell, shall we? Happy Valentine’s Day. The Greek reference to hell here means something akin to a dumpster fire (it was actually a real place, where they burned trash). And Jesus dives in to save us from…not just murder, but insults, anger, and name-calling too, because all of these create a dumpster fire of our lives. A “hot mess” of a situation. Yes, you shouldn’t murder someone, noted, but Jesus expands this religious law into a conversation about love. Loving our neighbor beyond rules means tending to our relationships, SO THAT our lives become less of a “hot mess,” less “hellish.” Hell can be thought of as anything that separates us from right relationships with God, with ourselves, and especially with others. And the prison that Jesus says ‘we will not escape if we don’t do this work” is often of our own making. See, the emotional weight of harmed relationships that we don’t tend, that is HELL on earth, is it not?  Jesus desires for us healing instead of that emotional state of hell. Here’s what’s possible: at Jesus’ insistence, we prioritize reconciling our relationships, making them right again SO THAT we might be delivered from the dumpster fire of feeling like a hot mess.

Speaking of hot mess, let’s talk about divorce. Many modern religious rules have been created around this passage, and a lot of unnecessary spiritual baggage. Because this part of Jesus’ teaching needs historical context most of all! In matters of marriage and sexual relations, men had the upper hand. So Jesus changes the conversation from what is “legal,” to what is “right.” And it’s right, according to Jesus, that women have a higher place of authority in relationships. See, the decision to divorce was strictly reserved for men. A wife in Jesus’ time had no agency, so even if she did nothing wrong, an angry or jealous man could ruin her life. Without even going to court, a man could make a woman an outcast forever. The definition of injustice. And Jesus says, that’s not okay. Your religion may say it is, but that doesn’t match the kind of love I bring to earth. My kind of love, Jesus says, is faithful and prudent and seeks no harm to another.

So let’s dive in the third delicious topic of swearing. The OT develops an elaborate system of oaths and vows to guarantee (some) words as especially true. (our judicial system uses a similar approach to those who take the stand). And Jesus says something new: take no oaths at all. What’s he doing? One commentator suggests, “Jesus abolished the distinction between words that must be true and those that must not, between words one is compelled to stand behind and those one must not. He calls instead for ALL speech to be truthful. Jesus changes the conversation from swearing on the name of God (or the bible or anything else) as a practice, because it suggests there are times we shouldn’t speak the truth- and that’s simply not true.

When hell, injustice, and lies intend to destroy us, Jesus offers to give us life. When forces of evil leave us feeling like a hot mess, Jesus gives us a path of hope. And when our mistakes become too much to bear, Jesus is already at work healing whatever separates us from God, from our best selves, and from each other. This is powerful stuff, Jesus! Thanks for changing the conversation from death to life!

Emmy Kegler, a UCC colleague, created a responsive word based in this text, and because I didn’t get it into the bulletin, I’d like to offer it as a final reflection today:

What have you heard was said about insults? We have heard that it was said, “If you so much as call your fellow believer an idiot, you will go to Hell.” But in Christ we say: We speak to each other with respect. We are honest when we have been wounded. We apologize when we have hurt each other. We choose life. We choose love.

What have you heard was said about lust? We have heard that it was said, “If you so much as look at anyone with lust, you will go to Hell.” But in Christ we say: We do not treat others as objects. We see them not as something to be consumed, but as fellow beloved children of God. We celebrate the beauty and strength in each other. We choose life. We choose love. What have you heard was said about divorce? We have heard that it was said, “If you divorce for any reason, you have committed adultery.” But in Christ we say: When someone is bound by law in a system of abuse, neglect, and violence, we do not leave them suffering. We proclaim freedom. We recognize the end of a marriage can be the beginning of healing. We choose life. We choose love.

What have you heard was said about swearing? We have heard that it was said, “If you say a single swear word, you have sworn against God.” But in Christ we say: We believe in following through on what we say we’ll do. We say “Yes” when a yes will lead to life. We say “No” when a no can be said in love. We choose life. We choose love. We choose Christ. Amen!

Matthew 5: 13-20 Blessed to Be A Blessing: Amplify and Shine God’s Righteousness!

 Last week- Jesus blesses the crowds, blesses his disciples, sets the record straight on how we deal with feelings of worthlessness: we trust our identity to Christ. In the very next breath, which is what we hear this week, Jesus charges his disciples to live into the blessing he offers. This is what it looks like:

[Jesus said:] "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Here's what religion does well: it guides our purpose in life. It’s also a slippery slope when we begin to use religion as a rulebook. Here’s what religion often tells us: do x amount of good, while saying y amount of prayers, and you’ll receive z = salvation! That’s not actually so far-fetched considering what we read in Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy (OT law). If you haven’t read it lately, trust me, it’s a lot of x + y = z, religious rules. And when Jesus comes, teaching that OT law (because remember, the NT hadn’t been written), he says this funny thing: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil the law.” In other words- if you follow in the way of love I’ve been revealing, you are also fulfilling the sacrificial OT law.

Okay, I think I’m tracking with you, Jesus, but give me, like, an example. What does this new type of righteousness look like? It’s right here! “You are the salt of the earth.” “You are the light of the world!” Your vocation as salt is to amplify and preserve the flavor of my love. Your calling as light is to shine glory for God. It’s no longer about religious rules, don’t you see? It’s about freedom to follow your highest calling. To be a blessing in this world.

As I said, this passage about being salt and light directly follows what we learned last week about the inherent blessing we possess as children of God. So Christ clarifies, don’t lose your way on account of self-righteousness like the Pharisees and scribes. Following the letter of the law is not it. Following ME, is what a life fulfilled looks like. Freedom from you needing to be right all the time, and freedom to worship me, because I AM what is right.

So let’s revisit that religious equation again: x good works + y prayers = z salvation is NOT the way of Christ. If anything, the equation is reversed: Our good works don’t bring us faith, faith brings us to good works. This is because Jesus has always been and will always be the author and perfector of our faith, not us. Our blessing will always be tied to an identity in Christ, not ourselves. So when our blessing leads us to feelings of self-righteousness, here’s the antidote: allow your blessing to bless others. Amplify and shine Christ’s love with your life.

I got to thinking this week, it’s not always self-righteousness (like the pharisees and scribes) that gets in the way of shining Christ’s light. Sometimes it’s the opposite: feelings of worthlessness also stand in our way of shining. The idea that I’m nothing, and therefore have nothing to offer the world. Have you ever felt this? Have you ever felt like religion asks this of you (because some religious equations do) No taste, no light at all to offer.  Jesus knows this is an equally dangerous threat to abundant life, which is why he begins his sermon on the mount with a word of blessing.

I confess it’s easy for me to think I don’t have enough light to shine, enough salt to make a difference. Some of you may have seen a conversation I had with Briggs this week: I was tired, he was supposed to be in bed, and his command hooks fell off the wall. So he says,

“Mom! My hooks won’t stay on the wall!?!” Me: “why don’t we worry about that tomorrow.”
Briggs: “no I need them!” Me: “well I don’t know, I don’t have all the answers.” Briggs: “yes you do!” Me: “I’m afraid not.” Briggs: “but you’re a PASTOR!”

This gave me a good laugh, but it’s not the end of the story- I told Briggs the next morning how much people on facebook enjoyed the idea of me having all the answers, because I’m a pastor. A bit confused, he pauses and says, “Well, Jesus has all the answers.” I say, “Yes, that’s true.” Briggs: “And you know a lot about Jesus, right?” Yes, I suppose so. “Well then you have answers too!”  Dang, son. That’s true too! My blessing to share with the world is knowing Christ and inviting others to see how Christ can give their lives purpose too.

Now, please don’t ask me about command hooks- I’m uniquely bad at making them stick. But please do ask me about Jesus, I’d love to try my best at sharing with you the blessing I know a life with Christ to be. I know that’s the purpose in life Christ gives me. I ask you today: what’s your purpose in life? How has Christ led you to a particular way of serving others?

It is as wrong to deny our role in God’s unfolding love story on earth, as it is to deny God’s role in our lives. God desires us and we need God, together we’re partners in fulfilling God’s law: to love and to be loved. We are blessed to be a blessing, and when you need a reminder of this- look no further than the children. They are often much better at seeing blessing, naming it, and asking us to claim ours too.

So shine your light, be salt for this earth in the unique ways only you can. We all need that from you, just like you need it from us. And in the work of amplifying God’s righteousness, we begin to see more clearly our own paths unfold with goodness. May your journey with Christ continue to be illuminated by acts of love.

Matthew 5: 1-12 The world is a tough place, receive Christ’s blessing for the way.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Jesus is tired. He’s curing everyone these days, so the “Jesus spectacle” has taken full effect. And when he sees another crowd waiting for him, he retreats up the mountain. His disciples do too, and as Jesus settles in to find rest (to re-center himself), the disciples’ curiosity builds: Why are you doing all this- for people you don’t even know, Jesus! And with his disciples listening in, Jesus explains why (maybe even reminding himself): because the world is a tough place, and I want people to have a blessing for the way.

Friends, the world is a tough place, receive Christ’s blessing for the way. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, you who hunger for righteousness, the merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers. Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing what is right.”

And then Jesus makes this slight shift, subtle enough I hadn’t noticed it until this week. He turns the focus from blessing everyone the world has been unfair to, and speaks directly to those engaged in this work with him: Blessed are YOU when you live in love and get punished for it. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven!”

We are fortunate to live in a nation where we don’t get persecuted for our faith, I mean- not really. This really sank in for me during my time in NJ, where I witnessed my Indonesian church friends grieving their uncle’s state-sanctioned death in Indonesia, simply because he publicly professed faith in Christ. And I saw in their tears the fear of being deported back to a country where they too would be persecuted for their Christian faith. It was a real fear- it happened to many of our friends. And I marvel at the way Christ’s blessing in their life means EVERYTHING! I saw them rejoice and be glad, even in the face of real adversity.

That’s the power of Jesus’ blessing. He knows professing faith in Christ may be risky in the short-term, we might get ridiculed for it. Some around the world- even put to death. But the eternal truth that Christ’s blessing accompanies our every step is worth the short-term risk. This is why we call Jesus “good news” even when it doesn’t always feel like it. Yes, the world is often an unkind and unfair place to many of us, even if we don’t live in Indonesia. Too much fear, insecurity, competition, fatigue, depression, ignorance, fighting, cancer, greed. Too much of it all, and it can FEEL like those things win sometimes.

But Jesus says, choose love anyway. Choose blessing. Can you imagine what this world might be if everyone believed and received a blessing instead of what the world tells us is our reality? See our true blessings aren’t a huge house or an awesome paycheck, or a perfectly harmonious family. No, the true blessing is discovering how loved we really are.

Jesus reveals this for us, in his life and ministry on earth, filled with blessing and healing, and his resurrection story confirms for us that no matter our short-term suffering, Christ’s got us, end of story. Christ remembers us, when we feel forgotten. Christ is our spiritual safety net, no matter what the world throws at us. We have already been saved, because of the blessing Christ has chosen to give us.

And when we believe that blessing- an identity as one who is loved - this world will change. It only takes one person believing in the power of love to change the world. Jesus shows us the way. In John 16:33 Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

When I soak this truth in, I feel resentment begin to subside, fear fade away, hatred become a thing of the past, greedy no more, willing and ready to embrace my blessing SO THAT we might begin to bless others, in Jesus’ name. Jesus is inviting you to soak this truth in too.

And that’s when the world begins to change: when we know what we have in Christ is enough, an identity as one who is loved eternally.