Sermon Luke 9:28-43

Jesus has called the disciples to go mountain climbing with him on the seventh day. To climb a high mountain above the sounds of the city; higher, where the air is clear. Join him above the mists which keep us from seeing the big picture. High above even the tree line to the top of the holy mountain.

They are alone with Jesus when suddenly his face shines like the sun. His clothes become radiantly bright and a cloud of light surrounds him. Amid the cloud the disciples see two important figures in the history of the people of Israel. Moses, the one who, glimpsed God on another mountain, and Elijah the great prophet whom God gathered into heaven on a chariot of fire.

Now, let us stop here for a moment. This is odd stuff for us 20th century folks to hear. Glowing people, dead people walking out of clouds. Tthis sounds to many like something out of a Hollywood movie. This sort of story does not seem reasonable to our age.

We are at a strange age. We think we are capable about thinking about anything, yet we often do not grasp the simplest aspect of the divine. We can comprehend so much, but in doing so we do not realize that there are things in this world that are beyond comprehension. There are things that must just be revealed to us.

Why else would we be Christians. We yearn for an understanding that is deeper than what psychology, sociology, or politics can offer. They can be good sources of knowledge but they are limited. We long for that which beyond our ability to manufacture or discover. We seek an encounter with the Divine Presence of the Living God. And since God is willing to be not contained by the limits of reason, sometimes we can be perplexed by stories of divine encounters or even frightened by experiencing them or hearing about them. I've never had such anencounter, but I've heard many people say to me, "Rev. Love, this may sound crazy but, I saw an angel once." Or "Rev. Love, once I heard God speak to me while I was walking. Not just in my head but in a voice I could hear with my ears." I've heard this enough from sane people to believe that such amazing events are not as rare as we think. And yet, people are afraid about sharing these encounters with the Divine.

So it is not surprising that the disciples are initially stunned and perplexed, in seeing a glowing Jesus with Moses and Elijah . And we can also understand that they are terrified when the voice God is heard, "This is my son the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him."

These words from God sound strangely familiar. We remember hearing them when Jesus was baptized. You remember the story. John the Baptist is calling people to turn back to God and is baptizing people in the Jordan river. People call him a great prophet ... Elijah has returned they say ... but John replies ... I am not fit to untie his shoes ... and Jesus arrives and is baptized ... then a voice from heaven is heard saying, "This is my son the Beloved, with him I am well pleased." Sounds familiar doesn't it. But there is something more, God adds, listen to him! With an exclamation mark; "Listen to Jesus!"

In the traditions of the Church, there are a number of activities which define what Christians do. There is worshipping God together in public. There is teaching each other and others about Jesus way. There is serving the poor and suffering in the world God loves. There is witnessing to the way of Jesus by seeking justice in the name of Jesus. There is sharing life together so Christian friendship is deepened. Then there is proclaiming the word of God. The greek word for proclaiming is "Kerygma". It means "to share the good news of Jesus Christ." Of all the activities of the Church, only one is said to have saving power. That is the power of speaking.

Read the gospels again and listen how many times Jesus says, "If you have ears to hear." In the book of Revelation, the seven churches are also told to "Listen". Listen, listen, listen. It's the activity of reception. Although there is active listening, for the most part listening is a passive activity. One speaks and the other receives. At the beginning of Genesis, God speaks and we receive the Creation. Or more accurately, God speaks and we receive life. A few weeks ago, I went to a preaching workshop and a Jewish Rabbi said that his people believe that the Bible should be read outloud, even when alone. We should learn the bible with our ears.

This might seem strange to us who increasingly live in a vitual culture. Ours could be said to be a culture of the "eye". Much of our information comes through TV, or the computer. Yes, there is sound, but often much is conveyed through visual images. However today, in our text, God calls us to listen.

The passivity of listening can also be difficult for a "Promethian" culture. Some of you might not know the story of Promethius. A story from the old Greek religion where humanity steals fire from the gods. You may not know this story, however the story is powerfully reflected in western culture's understanding of how one encounters Divine truth. Putting it simply, humanity must take it. We must strive to squeeze the truth out of the gods. Life is not something we receive from God, but something we must strive for. We must steal the fire, the power, through our own efforts in order that we might rise higher in life.

However, for us Christians, the truth is "Cruciform", cross shaped. Jesus said, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" Christians should be hard workers, yet to think that "we must make our own life." or that we must bring about the kingdom of God through our own efforts, or to think that our own salvation is something we must achieve ourselves, is thinking that is contrary to a Christian perspective.

This is especially true when it comes to how we might live together as a Christian community. Sadly when the Church becomes "Promethian", it ends up not stealing fire from God, but sitting in the dark, walking into the dark. Perhaps this is why many churches think that if we have a problem, we must have a meeting. Of course there is the required little prayer at the start, asking God to help, however once that is done, we "roll up are sleaves." and get to solving the problem through our own efforts.

In my first church, there were many problems, however I remember telling the Church council, that if they really wanted to solve the financial problems of the church they should stop all the fundraisers and all except basic meetings and focus on bible study and prayer. They first needed to listen for Jesus, then act. To Promethians, whether in the church or outside the church, such a response seems at best irresponsible and at worst insane.

And yet Paul did say that some would consider the Gospel message craziness. How are we saved Paul asks? God gives us the power to just trust in the kindness of God. Through Jesus Christ, God's son, we were shown that "We are saved by grace through faith." Indeed, it is the only way that one could stand in relationship with the Living God. We stand before God, through the power of God's love. Not through our own goodness, or smartness, or wisdom, or wealth, but simply because God loves us. It is simple and if we reflect on this truth, it is an incomprehensibly beautiful truth. One which the only true response is worship and devotion.

Sometimes on communion Sunday's, there are people who don't come and share a meal with Jesus. They are aware that they are not holy enough to approach the table of God. They are afraid, because they are aware of real or imagined faults. And yet, these are exactly the ones whom God wants most to come.

In the text this morning, when seeing the holiness of God radiating through Jesus, the disciples are terrified. They are terrified because the holiness of God reveals our own unholiness. However, what does Jesus say to us today? Jesus comes and touches us and says "Get up and do not be afraid." Listen to him.

In Jesus we have a Lord that understands our frailities, and would not see us wallow in them. Jesus Christ is forgiving and knows the weakness of human living. We will see this at the end of the season of Lent. We will see how the disciples completely fail Jesus and abandon him and yet, we will see the risen Christ coming to them far beyond the cross, telling us to "Get up, and do not be afraid." Christ is with us, Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the law and wisdom of God through Jesus we hear God's wisdom speak to us, if we will stop and listen. This is why Jesus says "pray always"; stop and listen for God; "pray always".

Yes there is a time to talk and solve problems, and time to work really hard. Indeed, Christ will call the disciples off the mountain, back into the troubles of the world for service. Indeed, if we are faithful, we will go into the world as followers of Christ. Workers of the Word. There are many who need to hear the good news of the kingdom of God which is revealed through Jesus Christ alone; and Christ calls us to this work. But let us first be a people of the ear, and set aside time always to listen for God. To be a people receptive to the Divine Word which seeks peace for us and our world.

Scriptures
Luke 9:28-43

Hymns
VU #336 Christ whose glory fills the skies
VU #87 I am the light of the World.
VU #585 Jesus bids us shine

Call to Worship
Come and Listen to the Word of God.
Open your ears, and be attentive to the Divine Presence.
Here is a place where you will hear Good News.

Confession
You spoke and the Universe came into existance. Your Word took form in a vast multitude of stars and planets. Life poured forth from your lips in many ways; taking flight in the air, splashing amid sea and stream. Squiming and crawling amid rock and earth.

In time your Word called humanity forth amongst all creatures which call Earth home. You called us to be the caretakers of your garden, setting us above all other creatures in this Divine service. You spoke your wisdom to us, that we might know how to live in peace.

And, yet we closed our ears to your wisdom, seeking to make your world serve us. The voices and cries of vast numbers of species are silenced each year & the shouts of the oppressed and the poor for mercy, which are heard so clearly in heaven, fall deaf upon sin clogged ears.

We gather to listen again that we and your creation might be made whole again. Restore our hearing that we might have life along with all we share the Earth with.. Fill us with your Word of life, that we might share in the abundance of life you seek for all. In Jesus name, AMEN.

Assurance
Hear the good news. God will have the last word, regarding our creation, and our very lives. Listen to Jesus Christ, get up, and do not be afraid. Trust and follow Jesus Christ into newness of life. AMEN.

Offering
{We will move into communion at this point instead of the prayer.}