This morning's texts both celebrate change … real change. They also mark decision making moments. True change and decision … two things that we humans are not very graceful at accomplishing. Superficial change is ok. Outward improvement to enhance our looks is acceptable and in fact desirable. Plastic surgery is big business at many levels. It is big enough business to earn a place in the Guinness Book of World Records – currently Brazilian model Angela Bismarchi is trying to beat American Cindy Jackson for the world record of most plastic surgeries. Her statement on the attempt:

"I always was vain," Bismarchi, 36, acknowledges at the medical clinic near Rio where her plastic surgeon husband has operated on her 10 times. "And for carnival, you have to feel especially pretty." (Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.) (link)

Decisions are ok, as long as they are limited in scope and don't lead to … you guessed it, real change. We'd rather talk a good talk about what is needed instead of actually making a decision. I came across a TV ad that captured well the human tendency to avoid decision and action. It depicts a young woman sitting on a donkey in a room crowded with people. They are all complaining about how nothing ever gets done and she watches them. She complains about their complaining and how no one ever gets involved. The commercial ends by saying get off your proverbial donkey and do something.

Our texts challenge the human tendency to stay put. It is most clear in the actions of Jesus. This morning is the final Sunday before our Lenten journey begins – it is the appropriate place to celebrate the choice that Jesus makes. The choice that sets into motion the unfolding of his journey to the cross. Not too far back in the lectionary readings Jesus faced the choice of simply being a hometown hero, feeding on his popularity in Capernaum, or going to the world. He chose, after a time of prayer and discernment, to go to the world. The transfiguration story we read today marks a similar moment. And again, he chooses to go to the world … the more difficult path … he will journey towards Jerusalem which will surely mean if not his death, at least to his arrest and imprisonment. Jesus chooses to go to all people to declare God's love and not just to a chosen few.

This story is a difficult one for the disciples. Their inclination is to stay in this moment of glory where everything is clear. "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." They know something of great significance is happening, but aren't sure of just what. At the same time they are more than a little frightened of its implications. Perhaps Peter's suggestion is akin to building a monument so that people can come up and gaze on the glory of these three great figures, but nothing more. If he hopes to freeze this moment he is thwarted before he finishes speaking. God interrupts him and reminiscent of Jesus' baptism pronounces pleasure: "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him." Next thing they know, they are on their way down the mountain to the confusing days of arrest and crucifixion.

One of the questions we are asked in this trip up and down the mountain is this: will we be fascinated by Jesus or will we be followers of Jesus. The temptation to be fascinated is tantalizing. It is the safe thing to do, and asks for no change or decision on our part. The mountaintop tents could bring in lots of revenue as admission is charged. The mountaintop place is safe and secure. But it is also confining and limiting. To stay on the mountaintop is to attempt to limit how God's hospitality is shared in the rest of the world. It says that people have to come to the mountaintop … to the confines of this sanctuary … to find God … that God can only love them if they come to what we have set up. To stay on the mountain top is to be merely fascinated by Jesus and his message.

To be a follower is to be involved in the message … to be merely a casual observer in a worship service once a week. Descending back down the mountaintop asks us to make a decision … to change when and where necessary. Your church council has been given a challenge to participate in such a journey in an interesting way. Not too long ago, Elaine Dawson told me about a program she had seen on Oprah about a Kansas City minister who had challenged his congregation to give up complaining. I did some research on the program and as the opening devotion for Church Council this week challenged the members of the council to take on the complaint-free challenge. The rules are fairly simple:

1. No vocal complaining, gossiping or griping. (Your thoughts are free.)
2. If you find yourself doing any of the above, you switch the bracelet your are wearing to the other wrist and start over.
3. If another person on the same journey complains, you may point that out. But in your pointing it out, you are complaining about their complaining and must switch your own bracelet.

The goal is to go 21 days without complaining. The minister said it takes an average of four to eight months to get in a 21 day streak. What I have found since embarking on this journey is that requires real change and the challenge of decision making. It is an embodiment of what the transfiguration asks of us. In the moments when I have been tempted to complain about something this week, I have had to stop and think of how to solve an issue, or how to rephrase something in a more constructive model than complaint. The "safety" of griping can no longer be used as a means of indecision. It will be an interesting time!

Fascinated or followers – this text asks that of us. We see God's glory revealed in the Transfiguration. The choice of Jesus is clear: The bigger than life figure that the disciples witness is all of the sudden back to the very human person the disciples have been following … his shining white garments turned back to the dusty, worn clothing of a wanderer. And Jesus is on his way to the cross. Our temptation is the same as it was for the disciples to stay and build tents, to live in that place where nothing will trouble us, not one will bother us, nothing will intrude. But as those who choose to be more than fascinated by Jesus … as those who choose to follow we are compelled to leave the mountaintop and follow. The Transfiguration sends us out to release God's love in the world.

Fascinated by Jesus, or a Follower of Jesus?

Go back to the 2008 Sermons page.
Go back to the UMC Red Bank home page.