Tuesday 6 August 2024

Psalm 47

Background
Today may be an example of celebrating something good, but for a dubious reason! We take a break from Philippians to note that 6 August is the Feast of the Transfiguration (affirmation of Jesus as God). It was designated today by Pope Callixtus III to commemorate the raising of the siege of Belgrade in 1456.

Luke, although himself an acute historian, is thankfully spared such associations, placing the event ‘about eight days’ after a conversation between Jesus and the disciples about his identity and how he could best be followed. As in both Matthew and Mark's Gospels, the account in Luke is directly preceded by Jesus’ statement that some of those standing beside him would live to see God’s kingdom. Perhaps each of the gospel writers wanted us to connect this mysterious event with that declaration.

The characters in the drama are the same in all three gospels. Jesus takes his inner circle, Peter, James and John, to a mountain top where they encounter Elijah, representing the prophets, and Moses, representing the law. Peter suggests the building of ‘dwellings’ for these mighty ones of old, perhaps hoping to delay their departure, but Luke makes it clear that Peter was out of his depth at this point. He provides some kind of excuse for Peter by pointing out that he, along with James and John, were "weighed down with sleep".  Suddenly they are all enveloped in cloud and in their terror they hear the voice of God confirming Jesus as "my Son, my Chosen" (v. 35) along with the injunction to "listen to him".

Let's note some features of this story that are unique to Luke. He alone describes them as going to the mountain ‘to pray’, which accords with his emphasis in other parts of the gospel on Jesus as a man  of prayer (3:21; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18). Luke does not use the word ‘transfigured’ but notes that the appearance of Jesus’ face changed – perhaps he wants the story to be understood by those without a specialist religious vocabulary.  Only Luke tells us that the subject of the conversation between Jesus, Elijah and Moses was of his imminent ‘departure’.  Luke uses the Greek word ‘exodus’ for departure. While this word might be used simply to mean ‘death’ it also links the death of Jesus with the ancient Hebrew story of Exodus from Egypt (narrated in the book of that name) implying that, like the Exodus, the death of Jesus will bring redemption and freedom from slavery. In Matthew and Mark's Gospels the voice of God announces Jesus as ‘Beloved’ rather than ‘Chosen’ as here. Calling Jesus 'Chosen' links him to the role of deliverer.

To Ponder:

• What will it mean to you today to reflect on the Transfiguration?
• The Mount of Transfiguration might, in today’s parlance, be described as a ‘thin place’ where heaven and earth seem to meet. What experience do you have of revelations of God’s glory?
• How do you feel about ‘departure’ as a description of death? (Surely better than ‘passing’?)

Prayer
Transfigured Christ, none comprehends your majesty, whose splendour stuns all waking souls; whose light transcends the brightness of a thousand suns!
If we could bear your brightness here and stay for ever in your light, then we would conquer grief and fear, and scorn the terrors of the night.
(Singing the Faith 261, verses 1 and 4)

Bible notes author: Jill Baker
Jill is glad to be part of the small Methodist Church in Scotland. She is a local preacher and tutor in the Strathclyde Circuit, and lives in Glasgow.