The Transfiguration Of Our Lord
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII, Cycle B
Seasonal Theme
Jesus grows up and it begins to dawn on some who and what he is.
Theme For The Day
Jesus and discipleship appears in a whole new light. The Spirit also waits to change us.
Old Testament Lesson
2 Kings 2:1-12
Elijah Ascends
Elisha, here, is acknowledged as Elijah's successor. He inherits both his mentor's mantle and spirit. As Elijah parts the water of the Jordan, we are reminded of Moses and Joshua. This story of his death connects us to the Transfiguration story when the disciples claimed a vision of Elijah who was taken up to heaven in a special way. Because of this special way to die and go to heaven, we do not have an earthly grave to point to (Mark 9:4-5). Perhaps the best way to approach this translation to heaven and parting of Jordan's waters is to try to discern why it's in the Book of Kings and what its author is trying to convey in its preserving, rather than prove or explain anything by the magic performed there on the river bank. You decide.
New Testament Lesson
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Light For Transfiguration
I'm sure this reading was selected for Transfiguration because of its reference in verse 4 to the "... light of Christ," which connects with the Gospel's description of the religious experience for Jesus and his disciples up on a "high mountain," which describes Jesus' attire as "... dazzling white" (Mark 9:3), and as seeing the "... glory of Christ." There is a verse here, however, that really jumps out at me. Verse 5 gives us a great focus for our ministry and our preaching: Not to call attention to ourselves -- but to Christ. And we proclaim ourselves not in some grandiose role, but as "... your slaves for Jesus' sake." After saying that, let us return to the quotation of Genesis 1:3 in verse 6 and bask in even more light for preaching on the Transfiguration: Light in our hearts and light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. There's the Transfiguration.
The Gospel
Mark 9:2-9
The Transfiguration Of Jesus
It's a familiar story of a deeply religious experience recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke's Gospels and referred to in 2 Peter 1:17-18 by the eyewitnesses. The Interpreter's One-Volume Commentary says of this experience: "The Transfiguration represents a special attempt of God to cure the spiritual blindness of the chief disciples, Peter, James, and John." Scholar Lindsay P. Pherigo then adds, "To regard (this) as a misplaced resurrection account, as others do, adds problems, though this is a possibility."
To add to the Corinthians connection, notice that the word for transfigured is exactly the same word used in 2 Corinthians 3:18 for "being changed." Look at 1 John 3:2-3 and Romans 12:2 for additional back up of this passage.
While it is not named specifically in the Gospels, Mount Tabor, an isolated hill in the Valley of Jezreel, six miles southeast of Nazareth and Jesus' home, is the traditional site of this event.
Jesus is first called "Rabbi" (Master) here. For me, that is the key for opening up the event. Jesus took his three best disciples on a spiritual retreat upon Mount Tabor and he taught them from Elijah and Moses, the great spiritual fathers who had not died a natural death. Upon learning these truths, these three saw Jesus in a whole new light. It must have been an educational and spiritual experience, which they tried their best to describe in human terms. The light and white almost always represents heavenly things in the scripture. Now they began to understand. This Jesus, their teacher, was none other than the promised Messiah, God's son. With that understanding, he took on a whole different appearance.
Look at Peter. He didn't know what to say (v. 6)! But he soon recovered and wanted to build a church there. No way! They had to get down the hill and serve. A young boy needed their help (v. 17). That would be their monument to this new revelation from God. It must change the disciples' appearance as well as Jesus'.
Preaching Possibilities
Obviously, all three scripture readings will go together today. But one could just use the Old Testament Lesson to talk about why the author of Kings wanted the story of Elijah and Elisha told: to establish the passing from one generation to another the mantle of prophecy; to establish the fact that the prophets were more than right preachers, etc.
Let me outline various homiletical approaches to these passages:
1. Use each one by itself.
2. Use the Gospel, backing it up with passages from the Old Testament Lesson and the New Testament Reading.
3. Use all three readings approaching it from why the author of each wrote it down to be shared down through the ages.
4. Use all three, sharing with your listeners what each passage means to you and your spiritual faith.
5. Preach an exegetical sermon on: 2 Kings 2:9, 2 Corinthians 4:5 or 6, or Mark 9:7.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Begin with a story about you (or someone else) going through a dramatic change in your (his/her) life. Or use a story about a person or a place changing in physical appearance.
B. Now re-tell the Gospel story in Mark 9 in your own words, not yet revealing the response of Peter or the going back down the hill.
C. Relate what we learn from this experience:
1. When we study the prophets and scripture, there is power in them to change how we appear to others and how we live our lives.
2. As we come to worship and pray and study the scripture, who and what and how Jesus is can change for us, too: More than a good, kind person; he is God's son -- a Savior.
3. We, too, need spiritual retreats and up close religious experiences to inspire and instruct us for our discipleship.
D. Return to the story with Peter's response. Point out that it is still our temptation to remain on the hilltop of life and refrain from going into the valley to help others and do our ministry.
E. Ask the congregation to define its "valleys" where we should all go to minister. Name examples you think of like the hungry to feed, AIDS victims to be comforted, homeless and battered to be sheltered, marriages struggling, etc.
F. Now frame your sermon by returning to the person or thing you saw change dramatically and finish up with a prayer that you and these listeners might also be changed as dramatically in the days ahead.
Prayer For The Day
Change us, too, O God, that we might see Jesus in a whole new light and be different because of the experience. And because we have been on this spiritual mountain today, now show us the dark valleys of our day and neighborhood, that we might go into them bringing the light of your loving concern. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
On United Airlines Flight 527, from Chicago to Oakland, we had to stop in Las Vegas to get more fuel. The high, strong jet stream we were bucking all the way across the country had used more fuel than usual.
We, too, often need refueling because of bucking the forces that work against us. It's a good reason for regular worship and personal devotions. It's not wise to gamble running on empty.
Way back in the Liberian bush of West Africa, "Mama Ganna" (Amanda Gardner) wanted me to see the church she had built. It was made of mud packed between bamboo sticks and would seat about twelve. I thought it was the ugliest little hovel I had ever seen! Then she confessed that she had built the whole thing by herself with her ninety-year-old hands because, she said, "Where I live there will be a church." Suddenly that little mud hut with a crude cross protruding out of the tin roof took on the appearance of a great cathedral.
We recognized a police officer, Gary Cowger, of Des Moines, Iowa, who saved a little boy by diving in and pulling him out of a lake. A police officer who was a member of the congregation, Dan Dusenbery, was asked to read the scripture. He was very frightened to do so, but did because I asked him. After the service at the door I overheard Dan telling Gary, "The next time, you read the Bible and I'll jump in the lake." There are times which call for reading the word and there are times just to jump in.
A memorial to firefighter Don Mackey, who died fighting forest fires in Montana, was left untouched when the fire roared through the surrounding forest. CNN showed pictures of the black charred ground and trees all around the memorial. It burned up to it and stopped. It's as if God said, "That's far enough; this is sacred ground." There are places like that, aren't there?
Jesus grows up and it begins to dawn on some who and what he is.
Theme For The Day
Jesus and discipleship appears in a whole new light. The Spirit also waits to change us.
Old Testament Lesson
2 Kings 2:1-12
Elijah Ascends
Elisha, here, is acknowledged as Elijah's successor. He inherits both his mentor's mantle and spirit. As Elijah parts the water of the Jordan, we are reminded of Moses and Joshua. This story of his death connects us to the Transfiguration story when the disciples claimed a vision of Elijah who was taken up to heaven in a special way. Because of this special way to die and go to heaven, we do not have an earthly grave to point to (Mark 9:4-5). Perhaps the best way to approach this translation to heaven and parting of Jordan's waters is to try to discern why it's in the Book of Kings and what its author is trying to convey in its preserving, rather than prove or explain anything by the magic performed there on the river bank. You decide.
New Testament Lesson
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Light For Transfiguration
I'm sure this reading was selected for Transfiguration because of its reference in verse 4 to the "... light of Christ," which connects with the Gospel's description of the religious experience for Jesus and his disciples up on a "high mountain," which describes Jesus' attire as "... dazzling white" (Mark 9:3), and as seeing the "... glory of Christ." There is a verse here, however, that really jumps out at me. Verse 5 gives us a great focus for our ministry and our preaching: Not to call attention to ourselves -- but to Christ. And we proclaim ourselves not in some grandiose role, but as "... your slaves for Jesus' sake." After saying that, let us return to the quotation of Genesis 1:3 in verse 6 and bask in even more light for preaching on the Transfiguration: Light in our hearts and light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. There's the Transfiguration.
The Gospel
Mark 9:2-9
The Transfiguration Of Jesus
It's a familiar story of a deeply religious experience recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke's Gospels and referred to in 2 Peter 1:17-18 by the eyewitnesses. The Interpreter's One-Volume Commentary says of this experience: "The Transfiguration represents a special attempt of God to cure the spiritual blindness of the chief disciples, Peter, James, and John." Scholar Lindsay P. Pherigo then adds, "To regard (this) as a misplaced resurrection account, as others do, adds problems, though this is a possibility."
To add to the Corinthians connection, notice that the word for transfigured is exactly the same word used in 2 Corinthians 3:18 for "being changed." Look at 1 John 3:2-3 and Romans 12:2 for additional back up of this passage.
While it is not named specifically in the Gospels, Mount Tabor, an isolated hill in the Valley of Jezreel, six miles southeast of Nazareth and Jesus' home, is the traditional site of this event.
Jesus is first called "Rabbi" (Master) here. For me, that is the key for opening up the event. Jesus took his three best disciples on a spiritual retreat upon Mount Tabor and he taught them from Elijah and Moses, the great spiritual fathers who had not died a natural death. Upon learning these truths, these three saw Jesus in a whole new light. It must have been an educational and spiritual experience, which they tried their best to describe in human terms. The light and white almost always represents heavenly things in the scripture. Now they began to understand. This Jesus, their teacher, was none other than the promised Messiah, God's son. With that understanding, he took on a whole different appearance.
Look at Peter. He didn't know what to say (v. 6)! But he soon recovered and wanted to build a church there. No way! They had to get down the hill and serve. A young boy needed their help (v. 17). That would be their monument to this new revelation from God. It must change the disciples' appearance as well as Jesus'.
Preaching Possibilities
Obviously, all three scripture readings will go together today. But one could just use the Old Testament Lesson to talk about why the author of Kings wanted the story of Elijah and Elisha told: to establish the passing from one generation to another the mantle of prophecy; to establish the fact that the prophets were more than right preachers, etc.
Let me outline various homiletical approaches to these passages:
1. Use each one by itself.
2. Use the Gospel, backing it up with passages from the Old Testament Lesson and the New Testament Reading.
3. Use all three readings approaching it from why the author of each wrote it down to be shared down through the ages.
4. Use all three, sharing with your listeners what each passage means to you and your spiritual faith.
5. Preach an exegetical sermon on: 2 Kings 2:9, 2 Corinthians 4:5 or 6, or Mark 9:7.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Begin with a story about you (or someone else) going through a dramatic change in your (his/her) life. Or use a story about a person or a place changing in physical appearance.
B. Now re-tell the Gospel story in Mark 9 in your own words, not yet revealing the response of Peter or the going back down the hill.
C. Relate what we learn from this experience:
1. When we study the prophets and scripture, there is power in them to change how we appear to others and how we live our lives.
2. As we come to worship and pray and study the scripture, who and what and how Jesus is can change for us, too: More than a good, kind person; he is God's son -- a Savior.
3. We, too, need spiritual retreats and up close religious experiences to inspire and instruct us for our discipleship.
D. Return to the story with Peter's response. Point out that it is still our temptation to remain on the hilltop of life and refrain from going into the valley to help others and do our ministry.
E. Ask the congregation to define its "valleys" where we should all go to minister. Name examples you think of like the hungry to feed, AIDS victims to be comforted, homeless and battered to be sheltered, marriages struggling, etc.
F. Now frame your sermon by returning to the person or thing you saw change dramatically and finish up with a prayer that you and these listeners might also be changed as dramatically in the days ahead.
Prayer For The Day
Change us, too, O God, that we might see Jesus in a whole new light and be different because of the experience. And because we have been on this spiritual mountain today, now show us the dark valleys of our day and neighborhood, that we might go into them bringing the light of your loving concern. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
On United Airlines Flight 527, from Chicago to Oakland, we had to stop in Las Vegas to get more fuel. The high, strong jet stream we were bucking all the way across the country had used more fuel than usual.
We, too, often need refueling because of bucking the forces that work against us. It's a good reason for regular worship and personal devotions. It's not wise to gamble running on empty.
Way back in the Liberian bush of West Africa, "Mama Ganna" (Amanda Gardner) wanted me to see the church she had built. It was made of mud packed between bamboo sticks and would seat about twelve. I thought it was the ugliest little hovel I had ever seen! Then she confessed that she had built the whole thing by herself with her ninety-year-old hands because, she said, "Where I live there will be a church." Suddenly that little mud hut with a crude cross protruding out of the tin roof took on the appearance of a great cathedral.
We recognized a police officer, Gary Cowger, of Des Moines, Iowa, who saved a little boy by diving in and pulling him out of a lake. A police officer who was a member of the congregation, Dan Dusenbery, was asked to read the scripture. He was very frightened to do so, but did because I asked him. After the service at the door I overheard Dan telling Gary, "The next time, you read the Bible and I'll jump in the lake." There are times which call for reading the word and there are times just to jump in.
A memorial to firefighter Don Mackey, who died fighting forest fires in Montana, was left untouched when the fire roared through the surrounding forest. CNN showed pictures of the black charred ground and trees all around the memorial. It burned up to it and stopped. It's as if God said, "That's far enough; this is sacred ground." There are places like that, aren't there?
