Bible Text: Luke 9:28-36 | Preacher: Rev. Dr. Norm Story | Series: Lectionary

“Too distracted to Listen” Luke 9:28-36 2016

We didn’t know what to expect, except that the professor leading our travel group promised, that tomorrow would be a most amazing day of our journey. So in the dark of night, at 3AM we met up with our Bedouin guides, who led our camels out into the cold Sinai desert. I remember peering over the edge of steep & narrow mountain trails as our camels plodded along, until they could go no further. Dismounting, we followed our guides into the chilly darkness, as we had to hike the rest of the way up to the mountain summit where it is claimed that Moses received the 10 Commandments. And sitting there shivering in dark we waited for the sun to rise. Then, seemingly all at once, the sun quickly came out, revealing the incredible mountain vistas all around us. It was an awesome moment, magnificent beyond words. No one spoke or moved as we stood in a stunned and reverent silence that could not have been improved upon by any human sound. Only quiet meditation seemed appropriate as we felt the glory and powerful presence of God. Sometimes a spiritual experience is beyond words or description, and that’s how I understand the transfiguration story in Luke.

Just prior to this passage, Jesus had been describing discipleship teaching about the necessity of sacrifice and obedience to God and telling about what was to happen shortly in Jerusalem. They were now on their way to Jerusalem where Jesus had explained to them that he would suffer and die- but the disciples did not understand what all that meant. Then Jesus invited three of them up a mountain to pray.

28~32

Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

This scene is rich with deep and complex theological connections, but for our purpose today, the true glory of Jesus is revealed. Moses and Elijah establish his continuity to the Old T., and that the events in Jerusalem will happen all according to the plan and purpose of God. Peter was confused and frightened by what they were seeing.

32

Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said.

Amid that awesome event of divine glory and the Presence of God, Peter decides that he wants to build something, anything except savor the moment or contemplate its meaning… but then mercifully, God intervenes and redirects.

34-35

While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”

“Listen. Don’t do. Don’t plan. Don’t arrange. Just listen!” “Peter, stop doing, so that you can listen and think” for sometimes, it’s not so much of what God wants us to do as it is that God wants us to listen, notice & receive. The point of the transfiguration was to prepare the disciples, for the horrific events coming up in Jerusalem, and to strengthen them to endure for the journey ahead, while equipping them to fulfill the Church’s mission. Most Christians can point to their own, very personal and unexplainable experiences of God’s grace, power and mercy that helped reshape and redirect their journey of faith. Sometimes events shock and jolt us awake from complacency, and others are tender reminders of God’s grace and compassion as a healing pause for the weary, the discouraged & wounded.

And as we are moving into Lent, how appropriate for us to hear: “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” This is where that story connects with us and our life stories. The truth is, for many of us, our lives are driven by high pressure and the stress of endless demands as a normal of our way of living. We find ourselves trying to pack and squeeze-in way too many things stuffing our lives with endless clutter, concerns and confusion. And hearing so many other voices competing for our attention, we can be too busy with too much noise to hear God over the din.

The season of Lent begins this week with Ash Wednesday, and the Transfiguration event is a helpful marker and sign… that we too are on the way toward Jerusalem with all the rich meaning and message of this season… and most of all, a time of listening, for us to hear God speak. It is an important part of Lent for us to let go and be released from our life’s distractions, to stop the endless action, and just wait and listen to God. Lent is a time for

Psalm 46,

“Be still, and know, that I am God”

The Hebrew word for “still” is literally, “cease and desist” just stop whatever you are doing, listen and know I am God. *And, that is the important truth to be savored & lived during Lent. In this over-stimulated, overly-hectic and overwhelming world let us gently put on the brakes and slow down our pace so we can be more aware of our relationship with Christ. In today’s gospel, we hear, “This is my son, my chosen, listen to him”. We ought not take those words too lightly or ignore them, or be too distracted to hear & notice God’s voice and call. Let this Lent be our special season to pause – to be still and wait, and to consider our path, our journey and progress in life — – knowing that when we blindly rush ahead without reflection, we close off much of our capacity to focus & carefully attend. It’s essential to our spiritual life that we take time to be still, a time for quiet to listen for God’s voice & be in God’s presence, that we deliberately carve out some space in our busy lives for getting to know, recognize & focus when Jesus speaks.

As a young boy, I used to listen to my short-wave radio at night. It was difficult to tune it so I could hear just one station: the weak signals were often intermingled, with lots of faint distant stations and static. It took patience to find and isolate any one particular station. But over time and with experience, I learned to recognize and identify my favorite stations, by the sound of the announcers voice, by the sort of things being said, by where on the dial, I could hear it. I had to practice and experiment with the short-wave set, and so it is, with listening and focusing upon God. So we may need to shut out the competing claims for our attention, if we are going to find and recognize the voice of God. *And, that is the important truth to be savored & lived during Lent. But it’s not really about our efforts, it’s receiving God’s grace. It’s a spiritually of going to where we can be near our Lord, in way that we can be spiritually open, so that we are able to receive the blessings of God I’d like for this to be our best Easter ever and for that to be so, we need to be diligent and be intentional, to prepare during Lent.

And here are a few fairly specific suggestions:

1st –Carve out some quiet time just to be still and listen; perhaps drive without the radio on between now and Easter, or maybe watch a little less TV and go for some walks…and instead of electronics focus on God’s artistry in Creation, and notice as it proclaims the wisdom, glory & majesty of God.

2nd– Do some additional Bible reading and prayerful reflection. I’d recommend re-reading at least one of the gospels and refresh your knowledge of the ministry of Christ…and by seeking a deeper understanding of Jesus through Scripture your Easter will be all the more glorious & meaningful his year.

I would also suggest trying to find some special ways to be useful; take on a project or task of caring or compassion during Lent, if possible, in some anonymous way that makes a difference in someone else’s life. It might be no more than a phone call of encouragement or concern, maybe taking the time to write a note to an old friend or do a kind and unexpected favor for someone. Or perhaps just overlook a wrong, and take it with smile of grace, so when someone has offended, said or done something hurtful… just let it go and forgo your right to be angry and upset.

It doesn’t really matter what specific things you choose, but find some spiritual practices that will work for you, to discipline and enlarge your walk between now and Easter.

So, as we are approaching the Lord’s Table for Communion, let us consider our spiritual feeding and the nurture of our souls.