Dangers, Demons, and Transfiguration: Luke 9:28-43 - Transfiguration Sunday

IL09 2862 Mt-Tabor by Benjamin.  Creative commons image on flickr

²⁸Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. ³⁰Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. ³¹They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. ³²Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. ³³Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. ³⁴While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. ³⁵Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” ³⁶When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
  ³⁷On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. ³⁸Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. ³⁹Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. ⁴⁰I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” ⁴¹Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” ⁴²While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. ^43aAnd all were astounded at the greatness of God. (NRSV)

The Bible doesn’t tell us so, but if I had to guess, I’d say that Jesus was in excellent physical condition.  We know this because he’s constantly on the move; going from town to town, doing God’s work. 

I imagine the disciples to be pretty physically fit, too.  After all, most of them were fishermen, laborers—all of which were physically demanding vocations.

I see myself as more in shape than out of shape, though not by much…

Yet I can see myself as one of Jesus’ disciples in today’s Gospel, trying to fight back sleep.

Jesus has led them up to the top of what is said to be Mt. Tabor.  It’s hardly Mt. Everest, but at a height of nearly two thousand feet, and a steep 1.5-mile hike to the top, it would be enough to give anyone a good workout.

Fortunately for the disciples, they’re awake enough to see the dazzling show of glory happening right in front of them: as soon as Jesus begins to pray, the appearance of his face changes, and his clothes become dazzling white.  Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appear, and begin talking to Jesus about his impending death in Jerusalem.

Enraptured by what he sees, Peter offers to build three dwelling-places for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.  But then, a voice from heaven interrupts him, saying, “this is my Son, my Chosen, listen to him!”

At that instant, it’s all over.

The very next day, they’re down from the mountain, facing the horrors of a boy being tormented by a demon.  The disciples are so scared stiff that they cannot do anything—and his frustrated father turns to Jesus.

Once again, I can easily see myself as one of the disciples—too physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted to do anything.  Just scared stiff…

Now I’m not saying that Jesus overworked his disciples.  But he did deny their plea to stay up on the mountain, where they would be safe and secure from all the demons and dangers of the world below. 

We all want that same safety and security, too (if it could be had).  Contrary to popular belief, the Christian life is not a first-class ticket out of the losses, pains, and trials of life.  It doesn’t make us invulnerable to pain; it doesn’t make us perfect and superhuman.  Instead, we must live in the world of dangers and demons—just like everyone else.

And we all face a choice—do we lay down in defeat as people consumed by raw fear, or do we trust God?

It may seem quite uncharacteristic of Jesus that he scolds his disciples so bitterly for their inability to help the demon-possessed boy.  But he does so because they listened to their fear instead of listening to him. 

Thankfully, Jesus does not hide away when we’re facing down dangers and demons.  He comes to us just as he did for the boy and his father.  He meets us in our disfiguration and fear.  His glory is all about bring life out of death.  That’s what transfiguration is all about. 

So we have to decide—do we lay down in fear, or do we rise up in faith?

Faith begins by acknowledging that the dangers and demons are real.  There’s nowhere you can go to hide from them; there’s no perfect life out there through which you can be shielded from them.

Whoever or whatever your demons they may be, they’re going to be bigger than you and bigger than your faith.  As terrible as the demons may be, they’re no match for Jesus This is why we need Jesus: to call out to him in prayer and embrace his promises spoken to us in the Word. 

Yet we need others, too.  One of the main reasons why Elijah and Moses show up is that their presence strengthens Jesus to bear his cross.  For us, some of God’s greatest healing gifts are the people God gives; people who embody Christ’s faithful presence; his compassion, and his wisdom.  Sometimes, these people show up on their own; other times you must reach out.  You must ask for help. 

As a child of God, you are sent to people who themselves are being tormented by demons.  We know these demons as grief and illness; but we also know them as poverty and hunger…  We know them as drug abuse and addiction…  We know them as domestic violence; child and elder abuse and neglect…  We know these demons as moving through and inhabiting political, social, and economic systems that serve the interests of the fortunate few at the expense of the many.  These demons even infiltrate religion and churches—so to shut people out of God’s graces, divide the Body of Christ, and lay down every possible stumbling block that would inhibit God’s will from being done.

Believing that Jesus is more powerful than all the dangers and demons haunting the world, we name them and face them down.  We boldly go to the dark places of the world where God’s children are frightened and tormented.  We go because God’s Spirit is upon us, and that we can make a difference.  Together, we can cast out demons.  We can take back our communities and precious lives.  Trusting in Jesus and acting on his Word, we will see the glory of God.

Together, we will see transfiguration.