Sermon – Listen to Him! Rev. Sandy Lacey March 02, 2025
This Wednesday will begin the 40 day season of Lent before we celebrate Easter. So that means you know what today is, right? The Sunday right before the season of Lent is always Transfiguration of the Lord Sunday – always the Sunday before Jesus begins to “set his face toward Jerusalem” and what will be his death. You heard the Luke passage. It is somewhat reminiscent of the Genesis passage in which Moses talks to God on the mountain and his face shine so much that it scares the people when he comes back down the mountain. And in Luke, Jesus’ clothes and his skin shines while he talks about his upcoming death with Moses and Elijah. The three disciples are awed by what they see and hear on the mountain with Jesus. So, why is a mountain an important place to talk with God? I do not know for sure, but I can make a few guesses. Those of us who love to visit the mountains love the view and the different perspective you have on the top of a mountain. You can see so much: clouds coming in, rain coming in the distance, entire towns and villages from far away. The air seems crisper and you might have a little trouble breathing the different air if you have any lung issues. You can see the grandeur of nature and you usually have to travel through entire forests and past creeks and beyond waterfalls to get there. Some spiritual writers talk about mountains being “thin places” where the space between you and God seems thinner and you feel more in tune with God. We seem to have an easier time conversing with God on a mountain. I think the Hebrew people of Moses’ time and the Hebrew people of Jesus’ time felt that to be true. So, Jesus takes three of his most trusted disciples with him to a mountain for prayer. They got more than what they bargained for. So why do we read this passage at this time of the year? Why is this passage read every year on the last Sunday before the season of Lent? My hunch is that this passage solidifies Jesus’ identity before he begins his journey toward Jerusalem. We’ve learned some aspects of his identity as we have travelled through the Gospel of Luke at this point. We have the genealogy that Luke chronicles all the way back to Adam and Eve, so Jesus is in the line of some famous people like King David. We also have the lovely birth narrative and the Angel’s visit to Mary and later when she delivers, to the shepherds in the field. We also have the story of Jesus leaving his parents when he was about 12 years of age to stay in the Temple, discussing the Torah with the Rabbis. To further establish Jesus’ identity, we learn of his baptism by John and a voice coming from the heavens to identify him as God’s son. The next clarification of Jesus’ identify we have in Luke’s Gospel is Jesus’ encounter with the temptations in which he chooses the nature of his leadership and how he will demonstrate what it means to be God’s Messiah. And through Jesus’ many teachings, healings, raising of the dead; we think we know who Jesus is. We think we know and understand his identity. Luke tells us that most of the people in that day know Jesus as a Joseph’s son or maybe a prophet. They definitely knew him as a teacher, a healer/exorcist, and as one who has keen insight into their struggles. His detractors, so far, call him a blasphemer, a rule breaker, a friend of sinners and tax collectors. Even his cousin, John the Baptist, asked him just two chapters earlier if he is the One. In an effort to have his disciples begin to understand who he is and his purpose, Jesus asked his disciples who others think he is and then he follows the identity question with a very pointed and direct question: “who do you say I am?” Only impulsive Peter manages to blurt out the right answer, “you are the Messiah of God!” Just in case there are any lingering doubts for the disciples and for us, today we read of Peter, James, and John witnessing Jesus having an interesting conversation with the dead prophets Moses and Elijah on top of the mountain regarding Jesus’ upcoming death. All three disciples hear God’s voice identify him as God’s own son. That is who Jesus is, and according to the Voice, the disciples are to stop the nonsense of thinking they can direct his paths by “building three booths or dwellings on top of the mountain” or whatever similar idiot thing we come up with today. Instead, disciples are to just stop . . . and listen to him. I cannot tell you the number of times I have forged ahead with whatever I thought was best instead of taking the time to just breathe . . . and then pray. Luke’s Gospel is known for Jesus being one who centers everything through prayer. Notice that in every major event in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus takes some time to be alone and pray. Apparently, prayer is the groundwork for crazed, anxious, scattered, and busy lives. We already know this, right? And we also know there is a time for speaking up and a time for just listening and keeping our mouth shut. How many of us have been frustrated by that person who cannot keep quiet or still in moments that are holy – the person who feels the need to interrupt the holy with something ridiculous? I hear frustration in God’s voice to Peter and the others when he speaks through the cloud and says, “this is my son; listen to him!” So, the first thing we learn from this passage is we are encouraged to have conversation with God, and in that to simply be still and listen. One thing I tell our preschoolers (and I wonder if we adults need to hear it too) is that it is hard to listen if you are talking. The second thing I learn from this passage is it is helpful to be in community when praying (at least some of the time.) Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him up the mountain to talk with God. Community is important. I don’t think we can follow Jesus in the way he intends and instructs without the benefit of community that supports, sustains, and occasionally corrects us. Sometimes you need to talk things through with your friends and perhaps together you can receive a fuller picture of what God intends so that you may follow God’s call together. Lastly, I want us to consider what happens after today’s passage in Luke. They come down from the mountain and are met with a frustrated and anxious father whose son was not healed by the other disciples. Those who remained down the mountain were battling demons with no success. So, Jesus has to deal with that first thing when he comes down from the mountain. We have learned that prayer is important and as part of it, we must learn to simply be quiet and listen for God’s voice. We have learned that community is important to help us be grounded in the faith and able to listen well to God’s voice. And lastly, we have learned that in order to follow Jesus, we also are likely to be battling demonic forces. Paul Galbreath says, “for Luke, this reaffirmation of Jesus’ identity is grounded in prayer, communal life, and service to those in need. It is preparation for and recommitment to the nitty-gritty work of encountering the demonic forces that oppress, subjugate, and hold people captive.”[1] If ever there was a message we need to hear in our time, this is it. Everywhere we turn people are anxious, worried, fearful, and angry. They are in need of Jesus’ message of hope, love, and inclusiveness, and we are the ones to help them hear and see it. We must begin with people like we do with God. Close your mouth and listen to their concerns. Let the Spirit guide you with what is next as you seek to proclaim the Gospel and release those who are held captive. Friends, mountaintop experiences are reorienting and wonderful, but no one can stay there. There is work to be done. Our identity as God’s people depends on it. AMEN.
[1] Paul Galbreath, “Homiletical Perspective” in Feasting on the Gospels: A Feasting on the Word Commentary, Luke, Vol 1, Chapters 1-11. (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014.) p. 269.
This Wednesday will begin the 40 day season of Lent before we celebrate Easter. So that means you know what today is, right? The Sunday right before the season of Lent is always Transfiguration of the Lord Sunday – always the Sunday before Jesus begins to “set his face toward Jerusalem” and what will be his death. You heard the Luke passage. It is somewhat reminiscent of the Genesis passage in which Moses talks to God on the mountain and his face shine so much that it scares the people when he comes back down the mountain. And in Luke, Jesus’ clothes and his skin shines while he talks about his upcoming death with Moses and Elijah. The three disciples are awed by what they see and hear on the mountain with Jesus. So, why is a mountain an important place to talk with God? I do not know for sure, but I can make a few guesses. Those of us who love to visit the mountains love the view and the different perspective you have on the top of a mountain. You can see so much: clouds coming in, rain coming in the distance, entire towns and villages from far away. The air seems crisper and you might have a little trouble breathing the different air if you have any lung issues. You can see the grandeur of nature and you usually have to travel through entire forests and past creeks and beyond waterfalls to get there. Some spiritual writers talk about mountains being “thin places” where the space between you and God seems thinner and you feel more in tune with God. We seem to have an easier time conversing with God on a mountain. I think the Hebrew people of Moses’ time and the Hebrew people of Jesus’ time felt that to be true. So, Jesus takes three of his most trusted disciples with him to a mountain for prayer. They got more than what they bargained for. So why do we read this passage at this time of the year? Why is this passage read every year on the last Sunday before the season of Lent? My hunch is that this passage solidifies Jesus’ identity before he begins his journey toward Jerusalem. We’ve learned some aspects of his identity as we have travelled through the Gospel of Luke at this point. We have the genealogy that Luke chronicles all the way back to Adam and Eve, so Jesus is in the line of some famous people like King David. We also have the lovely birth narrative and the Angel’s visit to Mary and later when she delivers, to the shepherds in the field. We also have the story of Jesus leaving his parents when he was about 12 years of age to stay in the Temple, discussing the Torah with the Rabbis. To further establish Jesus’ identity, we learn of his baptism by John and a voice coming from the heavens to identify him as God’s son. The next clarification of Jesus’ identify we have in Luke’s Gospel is Jesus’ encounter with the temptations in which he chooses the nature of his leadership and how he will demonstrate what it means to be God’s Messiah. And through Jesus’ many teachings, healings, raising of the dead; we think we know who Jesus is. We think we know and understand his identity. Luke tells us that most of the people in that day know Jesus as a Joseph’s son or maybe a prophet. They definitely knew him as a teacher, a healer/exorcist, and as one who has keen insight into their struggles. His detractors, so far, call him a blasphemer, a rule breaker, a friend of sinners and tax collectors. Even his cousin, John the Baptist, asked him just two chapters earlier if he is the One. In an effort to have his disciples begin to understand who he is and his purpose, Jesus asked his disciples who others think he is and then he follows the identity question with a very pointed and direct question: “who do you say I am?” Only impulsive Peter manages to blurt out the right answer, “you are the Messiah of God!” Just in case there are any lingering doubts for the disciples and for us, today we read of Peter, James, and John witnessing Jesus having an interesting conversation with the dead prophets Moses and Elijah on top of the mountain regarding Jesus’ upcoming death. All three disciples hear God’s voice identify him as God’s own son. That is who Jesus is, and according to the Voice, the disciples are to stop the nonsense of thinking they can direct his paths by “building three booths or dwellings on top of the mountain” or whatever similar idiot thing we come up with today. Instead, disciples are to just stop . . . and listen to him. I cannot tell you the number of times I have forged ahead with whatever I thought was best instead of taking the time to just breathe . . . and then pray. Luke’s Gospel is known for Jesus being one who centers everything through prayer. Notice that in every major event in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus takes some time to be alone and pray. Apparently, prayer is the groundwork for crazed, anxious, scattered, and busy lives. We already know this, right? And we also know there is a time for speaking up and a time for just listening and keeping our mouth shut. How many of us have been frustrated by that person who cannot keep quiet or still in moments that are holy – the person who feels the need to interrupt the holy with something ridiculous? I hear frustration in God’s voice to Peter and the others when he speaks through the cloud and says, “this is my son; listen to him!” So, the first thing we learn from this passage is we are encouraged to have conversation with God, and in that to simply be still and listen. One thing I tell our preschoolers (and I wonder if we adults need to hear it too) is that it is hard to listen if you are talking. The second thing I learn from this passage is it is helpful to be in community when praying (at least some of the time.) Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him up the mountain to talk with God. Community is important. I don’t think we can follow Jesus in the way he intends and instructs without the benefit of community that supports, sustains, and occasionally corrects us. Sometimes you need to talk things through with your friends and perhaps together you can receive a fuller picture of what God intends so that you may follow God’s call together. Lastly, I want us to consider what happens after today’s passage in Luke. They come down from the mountain and are met with a frustrated and anxious father whose son was not healed by the other disciples. Those who remained down the mountain were battling demons with no success. So, Jesus has to deal with that first thing when he comes down from the mountain. We have learned that prayer is important and as part of it, we must learn to simply be quiet and listen for God’s voice. We have learned that community is important to help us be grounded in the faith and able to listen well to God’s voice. And lastly, we have learned that in order to follow Jesus, we also are likely to be battling demonic forces. Paul Galbreath says, “for Luke, this reaffirmation of Jesus’ identity is grounded in prayer, communal life, and service to those in need. It is preparation for and recommitment to the nitty-gritty work of encountering the demonic forces that oppress, subjugate, and hold people captive.”[1] If ever there was a message we need to hear in our time, this is it. Everywhere we turn people are anxious, worried, fearful, and angry. They are in need of Jesus’ message of hope, love, and inclusiveness, and we are the ones to help them hear and see it. We must begin with people like we do with God. Close your mouth and listen to their concerns. Let the Spirit guide you with what is next as you seek to proclaim the Gospel and release those who are held captive. Friends, mountaintop experiences are reorienting and wonderful, but no one can stay there. There is work to be done. Our identity as God’s people depends on it. AMEN.
[1] Paul Galbreath, “Homiletical Perspective” in Feasting on the Gospels: A Feasting on the Word Commentary, Luke, Vol 1, Chapters 1-11. (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014.) p. 269.
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[1] Paul Galbreath, “Homiletical Perspective” in Feasting on the Gospels: A Feasting on the Word Commentary, Luke, Vol 1, Chapters 1-11. (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014.) p. 269.