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.