March 2, 2003

Transfiguration Sunday

Mark 9:2-9

 “I Have Been to the Mountaintop”

 “Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop.  I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”

      Do you know who spoke these words?…The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on April 3, 1968.  He had certainly known adversity in the struggle for civil rights, but he was filled with the confidence of faith.  He had been criticized, threatened and jailed.  The day after he spoke these words, he was assassinated.  But he had been to the mountaintop.  He had a vision of the way things could be and that vision enabled him to see a promised land where people would be judged on the basis of their character and not the color of their skin.

     Jesus and those who stood with him also knew adversity.  Indeed, by the time he had the mountaintop experience we read about today, it was becoming clear that he would lose his life for what he believed.  But there was that mountaintop experience with its reassuring vision of God’s glory, one that always points to a promised land ahead. 

     For the disciples who were privileged to be there, everything around them was transformed, transfigured in that moment, overwhelmed by the glory of God in Jesus.  But at first, instead of being inspired by what was before them, they clung to what they knew.  Maybe they would set up tents. 

     Church people can be really good at setting up tents.  We can (and often do) get lost in the details of church business/busyness and miss the great vision that is opening before us.  But God was patient with the disciples and encouraged them and does the same with us: “This is my beloved Son, listen to him!”

     Indeed God is gracious with us - Communion reminds us just how gracious - the gift of his Son, our Savior.  The promise of forgiveness, new beginnings and eternal life.  But all the grace in the world does not relieve us of the decision as to what we are to do with it!

     I’m no Martin Luther King, Jr., but I’ve at least had a peek over that mountaintop and I know some of you have, too.  God has great plans for this church, a promised land stretching out before us of a thriving congregation where people pursue their calling and each person is engaged in ministry because they are encouraged and equipped, where dreams come to full fruition.  And I know God’s plans have less to do with clinging to what we know than trusting him and stepping out boldly in faith.       

     So let me be bold and say this: It’s time to stop setting up tents.  It’s time to stop hanging on to that which inhibits God’s great plan for this church, for your life.  It’s time to give up control.  It’s time to stop throwing our hands up in the air saying, “What can I do?  There’s too much adversity!”  It’s time to stop setting up tents and time to look up and see the promised land God is opening before us.  It’s time to follow our Lord there.