S - Matthew 17:3-8 (NRSV): "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."O - In the company of such greatness and in the context of Peter's life and understanding his question really isn't a bad one … and after all someone ought to say something and even do something - the heavyweights of the kingdom are together:)! The exchange is cut short by the insertion of a cloud and with the cloud a voice … and what a voice; that voice has always altered, directed, penetrated and determined reality for whatever it speaks to. This voice affirms Jesus' identity, his standing/status and then instructs the only appropriate response -- LISTEN to (consider, attend to, comprehend, understand, learn from) him. The voice also evokes a fairly consistent response - fear which can only be expressed by falling down and staying put … not daring to even move. The one they are to attend to, to focus on and consider, to comprehend and learn from comes to where they are, touches them and then speaks … your response is completely understandable and NOT required … so get up and don't be afraid. What allows this contradiction of terms? In the presence of such awesome and ineffable reality, how can such a response be the right thing, the possible thing to do? The answer is contained in the optic they saw once they dared to actually look -- Jesus is the only one who fills their vision. The presence of the person of Jesus mitigates all the right and unavoidable reactions to the voice and to the one who speaks. Without Jesus, be afraid … be paralyzed … be like dead men because without Jesus that's what you are. With Jesus? Get up, get up from fear, death, foolishness, useless and superstitious activities. The law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah) are eclipsed by Jesus … consider, attend to, comprehend, understand and learn from the only one who remains.
A - The law and the prophets are not discarded, they are fulfilled. The point is that I am responsible to lean into, focus on and learn from Jesus. He will mitigate the fear, the paralysis, the well-intended though wrong activities. The focus or conclusion is simple, single and uncomplicated. The doing is not. All my understanding, desires, inadequacies, failures, hopes converge to attempt to radically complicate heaven's simplicity. The Lord never actually addresses Peter's idea … rather he calls Peter to action in a different way -- to silence until after he was raised from the dead. Then, and only then, would the intention and purpose of the mount of transfiguration be clearly understood. "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 [verse 9]." I don't always hear, or know exactly how to step this out … but I am obliged, inspired and called to train to get this and live this out. This I want to do!
P - Dear Lord,
I'm sure I've built many booths … spoken too early or failed to speak and act at all. Please shepherd me so that through my life others may shepherded. Lord, help me in my fear to fear you only so that I won't need to really be afraid. Help me to consider, attend to, comprehend, understand, and learn from you. Thank you for mitigating the paralysis, the shaking, the flurry of activity which is well-intended but not the point. Help me find your way today and everyday while it’s called today.
Such as I am, I am yours,
Steve
No comments:
Post a Comment