What a day it must have been! Peter, John and James went with Jesus up on the mountain to pray. These disciples had prayed with Jesus before but what transpired was like no event that had ever happened previously. As Jesus prayed, his face became dazzling white. Suddenly the disciples saw Moses and Elijah in conversation with Christ. If that weren’t enough a voice that was clearly God’s spoke “This is my Son , my Chosen, listen to him!”
Mountain top experiences certainly were not limited to Jesus and his times. We are reminded in our reading from Exodus how Moses had gone to the mountain top in order to receive the two tablets of the Covenant. is face too shone because he had spoken directly to God. In his letter to the Corinthians Paul explains to the people of Corinth that both Moses and Jesus had both seen the glory of God.
It is hard for us to even conceive of this kind of glory. Moses wore a veil because people were afraid of the bright light that shone in his face. Not only did Jesus’ face shine but his clothes became dazzling white. I’m sure we all wish we could have an encounter with God where He would address us by name. “If that happened,” I’m sure many of us would say, “I’d never have any more doubts about God’s existence.” We certainly might want to consider living close at hand to the place where God made his appearance in the hopes we might see him again. Perhaps build a home close by. We can certainly identify with Peter’s reaction. He wanted to make three dwellings where Jesus Elijah and Moses could remain. No doubt Peter thought how wonderful it would be to have neighbours like these three great men. He could go and chat with them anytime. Just as if I said you could pick the three persons you admired most, living or dead and have them live right next door. You’d be welcome to visit anytime for a cup of tea and conversation.
But we know this was not to be. Mountain top experiences are short lived. If you look at how our gospel is printed this morning you will notice that verses 37- 43 are enclosed in square brackets. In some readings the gospel account ends with Jesus admonishing his disciples not to tell any one what they have seen. In the different sermons I looked at on the Internet there seemed to be consensus that the lesson indeed should not end her. The author of the Celebrate bulletin suggests that Jesus now resumes his mission with a demonstration of his power over evil. But other writers see it as more than that. After the mountain top experience it is just back to plain old hard work for Jesus and the disciples. What a come down from being up in the clouds in the presence of God to attending a child in which an evil spirit is causing convulsions. A modern interpretation is that this child had epilepsy and the convulsions were endangering his life. Jesus was needed and he answered the call saving the child’s life.
There is no record of what Jesus said to Peter when he suggested building the tabernacle. But when we read of subsequent events the answer is obvious. Mountain top experiences are intended only as a chance to pause, reflect and recharge before getting back to the hard work that is required of all who labour at God’s work.
We have all had those sensations I’m sure. Going on a vacation someplace where we can have a total rest. Sometimes looking down at the ocean or at a beautiful spot can enable us to find that inner peace we need to continue with whatever might be required of us for the rest of our day. That is one thing I feel truly blessed about living in this beautiful region of the world. I can drive just a few minutes from town and I come upon a mirror glass lake lined with spruce and birch with their different shades of green. On a clear day the lake shows an identical mirror reflection with the granite of the Canadian Shield as a backdrop. I feel at peace seeing God’s fingerprints everywhere. There have been times when I thought I could hear God’s voice reassuring me and strengthening me. I know I’m not alone in this. A friend of mine has the same experience out fishing in the middle of a lake. Viet Nam veterans travel to our part of the world to experience the healing of the Boreal Forest.
Mountain top experiences like these allow us to see the grandeur of God as experienced by Moses Aaron Peter James and John. But these experiences are more than that. They can be peaks in our faith journey. I’m sure many of the members of this church can relate. I remember Jack Stevens telling me about the construction of this church building in 1961. What a grand moment it must have been for the congregation of that time. From pictures I’ve seen of the old church building this church was much larger. I’m sure when this building was opened and consecration everyone here felt the presence of God shining on the entire congregation. For others of you it might have been a marriage, or baptism of a child or perhaps the installation of a minister who became a particular favourite of you or your family. If you grew up in this congregation perhaps you had an outstanding Sunday School teacher who influenced your life.
I am new to this congregation, but in my twenty–three years at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian I had mountain top experiences. I joined the church when Rev. Peter Bush first came and he taught me so much about what it meant to be a Presbyterian and began my interest in lay preaching by appointing me to the worship committee. Under Rev Ina Goliay my faith also peaked through her informative Bible study sessions. The most special moment was when Glenda and I renewed our wedding vows and Ina performed the service. My faith was strong and God seemed close.
But there were times in the valleys as well. We had a six-year long vacancy and issues with a minister. We ran out of money and people willing to lead our congregation. The decision was made to close our doors and in this valley I learned that a church is more than a building and people gathered for worship. A church is a family where you are welcomed in fellowship. You celebrate the good times and hold each other up in times of sorrow. The breakup of a church is like the breakup of a family. Some people go to other churches, others stay home. Perhaps it is too difficult to start over or perhaps they fear getting involved in case they lose another family. Sadly there are many members of our St. Andrew’s family that I’ve not seen again. But I was blessed once more. I came to this church where I received a warm welcome and felt immediately at home here. I had lost one family but another one seemed to immediately welcome me into their fold.
There are no doubt many in our church feel we are in the valley. At the annual meeting last week we were told that we are not likely to find a full time minister anytime soon. When we are mired in the valley, the mountain top seems remote.We gaze at the grandeur of the peak and wonder if we can ever reach the pinnacle again. But if we return again to our gospel message Jesus had it no easier. As soon as He returned from the mountain, he was thrown immediately into healing the sick and immersing himself in the problems of the poor. The transfiguration was one of the final moments of glory in his ministry. Transfiguration Sunday is the last Sunday before Lent when we Jesus begins his journey to the cross.
We are a church family. A family means sticking together through thick and thin. It was wonderful to see people elected to council and willing to work to see this ministry continues. My prayer for them is that as they lead us through this valley, they will be mindful that God’s glory awaits us at the top of the mountain. It was gratifying that the congregation offered Council support even if it means spending some money to lighten some of the burdens in cleaning and secretarial work. We must not forget God loves us and is ready to guide us even when we are mired in the mud and the mountain seems distant and unreachable.
My challenge to all of my fellow members of First Lutheran is to continue to support the leaders of our church in the continuance of this ministry. Families that stick together and help each other in the depths of the valley will not fall apart.
