Listen!

 

Transfiguration is the focus of today’s lectionary gospel passage (Mark 9.2-9) 

 I do think that the authors of each gospel carefully placed the stories they chose to tell to support the particular emphasis of their message. The text today begins with the words “after six days …”. Therefore, I wanted to see the context. What happened six days before this in the Gospel of Mark? 

 

The preceding chapter begins with a miraculous feeding story, a restoration of sight, Peter’s declaration of Jesus as Messiah, then Jesus began to teach telling them of his death and resurrection. Peter, who had recognised Jesus as Messiah, took Jesus aside and rebuked him for speaking of death and Jesus retorted “Get behind me Satan…” (8.33). What a relief it must have been to Peter a few days later to be chosen to be one of the three disciples to go with Jesus and thus witness the transfiguration! Despite Peter’s interruption, Jesus continued the theme of death and his followers also losing their physical lives, but their souls will be enhanced. Then comes the verse that I think maybe key in the placement of the story of the transfiguration — “some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the realm of God come with power.” (9.1)

 

Mark’s gospel is a quite early one. There has been much debate on the date. Dates mainly range from 52 CE to 7OCE with a few outriders. (Google it to see the various debates). It is likely that Mark’s Gospel was partially written to Christians to strengthen them in a time of persecution. James (apostle) was martyred in 44 CE and James (brother of Jesus) in 62CE. The persecution under Nero (54-68) intensified in 64CE and continued for another 300 years. 

 

So, I think it would have been important for the author of Mark to show that some of the disciples saw the realm of God even if it was only a glimpse. A special and memorable occasion that was recorded for all time. 

 

James, John and Peter were named as being chosen to accompany Jesus up a high mountain. And they watched Jesus transfigure before them. The image I get is that they struggled to find human language to describe fully what they saw — no real word for it “dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them.” (3)

 

Then the disciples saw two other figures with Jesus. Peter impetus as ever — I love the humanness of Peter — jumped in with the suggestion of making three dwellings. A cloud overshadowed them, and a voice spoke “This is my child, the Beloved, listen to them.” (7)

 

It is a great story. Did the disciples have a physical experience or was it a mystical one? I have no way of knowing nor do I think it matters. What is important is they had a glimpse of the realm of God that strengthened and encouraged them. A significant event that remained strong enough within the oral tradition that it eventually became part of the cannon of Scripture. 

 

When I read a text, I always like to find relevance for our spiritual lives today.  A couple of things were highlighted for me today. 

The first was the experience of a glimpse of the realm of God which the disciples received. I think that happens for many of us on our spiritual journeys. In our Celtic terms it was a thin place, where the distance between humanity and God seems narrower. I have experienced that, and I know others have too. It is not a long-drawn-out experience, but a brief glimpse of something more. A special time, the explanation of which is often beyond human language. A highlight in one’s spiritual journey which remains as something that strengthens and encourages for a long time. Such times are important.

 

The second thing I noticed was the importance of hearing the teaching of Jesus over their more familiar religion. As I read I became aware that on this occasion the voice didn’t say follow Jesus but simply to listen. Jesus teaching changed a lot of previously held concepts of God. The God revealed by Jesus wasn’t the warrior or tribal God, but a God of love and relationship. The teaching of Jesus was primarily a message of love. So the mandate is listen to Jesus as he teaches on caring for the marginalized people, preferring each other, being peacemakers, etc, etc. It is a message that is found in many ways in lots of different day to-day situations. 

 

So, for my musings during this week I’m going to reflect with joy on those special times, those thin places when the realm of God felt so close. And I’m going to listen for (and hopefully hear) the voice of Jesus in whatever context and situation it may be found.