“Getting to the Top” – Luke 9:28-36 – February 14, 2010
If you ever have the opportunity to look at Facebook on the Internet, you will find many pictures of special moments that have been made available on line. The practice is similar to pasting photographs in a family album. People post “frozen” moments or snippets of their life journeys. They are normally festive and they occur at transitional moments. They enable people to remember, look back or re-live the best times in their personal history.
This story is known as the Transfiguration of Jesus. It is not widely celebrated but it was a vivid, glorious moment, a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus. As Luke reads, “the appearance of his face changed and his clothes became dazzling white.” Jesus also, “appeared in glory,” with Moses and Elijah, two great pillars of the faith. Furthermore, the event came to a climax when God affirmed Jesus’ true identity. God said, “This is my son, my Chosen, listen to him!”
Following this mountain top experience, Jesus and the disciples went back down the mountain and Jesus continued the most difficult weeks of his ministry. He healed people, taught and spread the word. The moment also prepared Jesus for what was to come; his suffering, death and resurrection.
I believe it was also a pivotal moment for the disciples. For the first time it became apparent to them who Jesus was. He was dedicated to putting others before himself. They heard God speak and witnessed heavenly visitors. Since hospitality was a key element of their faith, they wanted to set up camp and fellowship together. They wanted to stay in the moment, keep time from going forward. In other words, they wanted to put the event on “pause.” It was a Facebook moment for the disciples who wanted to share it with their friends.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could put those wonderful moments in our lives on pause and just remain there? Perhaps you took a trip to a warm, tropical paradise, fell romantically in love, or reached a pinnacle point in your career. But, ticker tape parades, fireworks or great parties don’t last forever. There is always a new reality that follows.
Once there were two little pools that sat way up on top of one of the highest mountains around. They were very happy until one day one little pool said, “I feel that something is missing from my life. Like I’m not doing all I should be. I’m not sure what I can do, but there must be something.” The other little pool said, “You must be kidding! What could be better than sitting up here at the top and enjoying the view?” “I don’t know” said the first little pool, “but I think I will try to find an outlet so that I can go down the mountain.” The second pool laughed in disbelief at the foolishness of the first pool and watched as he began to empty himself down the mountain.
As the first little pool started washing down the mountain he began to feel strengthened even as he became less. When he reached the bottom he looked back at what he had done. He saw that animals had been refreshed by his water and had multiplied, he saw that crops had flourished in his wake and people had been fed, and that green vegetation had sprung up along his route. He felt wonderful. As he took an inventory of himself he realized that there was not much left and this made him sad because he wanted to give even more. Just then he noticed other streams coming down the mountainside towards the valley he was in. As they came together a wonderful thing happened, they all joined together and formed a huge river.
The river wound its way around the land replenishing animals, land, and people as it went and the good work of all the streams was continued and made larger. Eventually the river emptied into the ocean. When this happened the little pool realized that he had become a part of something much bigger than himself. And then a miracle happened and the sun evaporated the little pool up into the sky where a cloud was formed. As luck would have it the cloud blew over the very mountain where the little pool had started out and he rained himself down into the bed he had occupied before. He was full of wonder and felt energized and refreshed. When he looked over to tell his friend all about his journey and all he had learned, all he saw was a dry spot. (from: Buckner Fanning quoted in Christian Assistance Ministry, San Antonio letter dated September 25, 1995 from Natalie Musgrave Ingram, Director of Development)
We strive and we hold on to life on top of the mountain. But, those moments of euphoria only last for a short time. We dread going back down the mountain. Meaningful moments are waiting for us there two, but the experience is different. What we receive is not a blissful retreat but fulfillment of giving our love to others.
What followed for the disciples was a new reality. They went down the mountain and immediately they encountered a man whose son had epileptic seizures. Jesus healed the boy by rebuking the unclean spirit that had possessed him. From then on the disciples would remain with Jesus in the valleys below. In the valleys they would learn lessons, witness healings and accompany Jesus on an incredible journey of self-denial.
Normally we think of getting to the top as being successful, gaining status or acquiring possessions. To get to the top as disciples means living in the valleys, encountering those who have needs and using our talents to give them aid. That requires making sacrifices and putting others before ourselves.
There once was a young woman who had a baby boy. Just after the boy was baptized, a ragged old man came to her and offered to grant her one wish. Thinking only of the best of her son, the woman wished that her son would always be loved by everyone he met. The old man said, “So be it,” and vanished. It turned out just as he said it would. The boy grew and everyone loved him so much he never lacked for anything. But, as often as in happens in tales like these, things did not turn out as expected. Although the young man was adored and admired when he reached adulthood he experienced a terrible emptiness inside. He could have had anything he wanted just by asking, but he had no real friends. He never knew the joy of a good day’s work or an achievement richly deserved since his neighbors took care of all his needs. The young man became cynical and selfish.
Finally the day came when his aged mother died. At her memorial service, the same, mysterious old man appeared. He offered the man one wish. He wished that his mother’s original wish would be changed. Rather than being loved by everyone he met, the young man asked the old man to give him the power to love everyone he met and put others before himself. And the story goes, from that day forward he knew happiness such as no once on the earth has ever known. (source unknown)
The man was transformed just as the disciples were transformed that day on the mountain. For the first time they saw Jesus as one who was willing to make sacrifices and one who had a close relationship with God. They also made the connection with the faithful of the past who reached a heavenly reward, those who had joined together and formed a river of faith and love. However, their transformation meant going forward, not remaining in a moment of glory. Reaching out to others and witnessing changed lives became their reward. And likewise for us. True, mountaintop experiences are waiting or us in the flat lands of life.
Dr. Keith Wagner