Sometimes we are silenced. Sometimes we do not know “what to say” or “how best – to say it” or even “how to react.”
Sometimes words evade us. Sometimes we are just left stupefied. Tongue-tied?
That’s how I imagine it all came down.
Some-thing’s are just “beyond words.”
I hope you caught it. It started out with “prayer.” Luke is big on prayer. How’s your “prayer life” been recently? Perhaps it is time to amp it up a little bit!
Let me share this, my confirmands and I weekly talk about “current events” and then we pray. Lord knows, there is more than enough to pray about! Oh, and did I mention, that they pray at the beginning and at the end of every class! These are “our kids!!!”
So, Jesus takes his “inner circle” of three, his “go to guys” – up a mountain with him “to pray.” …Peter, the leader and those two feisty sons of Zebedee, James and John. It’s the three amigos- the fishing buddies/partners together again!!!
While Jesus is off praying, his face becomes different, not contorted or strange, nothing weird mind you, but different…it’s like he is glowing or something…he is shining, that’s what it is…and his clothes are white, whiter-than-white and “sparking lightning bolts.” There is brightness!
Is it the sun? Is it an optical illusion? Wait-a-minute, just “what” is going on here? Take another look! Quick!
Um boys, aren’t we supposed to be praying too? Yikes! This is new, novel and different! Kind-a-strange!
In the event that wasn’t cool enough, Moses and Elijah “appear” next (out of thin air) and talk to him. They are actually having conversation…at least it would seem so…
Lean in—a little more closer, and maybe “YOU” can actually hear what’s being said!!!
There is a pecking order here, Moshe is first and then, El-ijah. The Great Law Giver first and then, the Greatest Prophet to ever prophesize. But that is “part and parcel” in an “honor and shame” society. Somebody has to be first! Somebody’s got to be top dog…
And believe it or not, these two guys are also awash with “glory” and now “they are shining brightly” and all three are apparently discussing Jesus’ upcoming “departure” or “exodus” that will occur in Jerusalem. (Whatever that means!)
Meanwhile, Peter and the two others grow sleepy. Seriously, guys? With this awesome light show going on – right before your eyes? Sleepy? Now?
Maybe “sleepy” isn’t the best translation…how about a “fog-like” condition…they can’t figure out what is happening in front of them…
After Moses and Elijah leave, Peter suggests to Jesus that they construct three “dwellings” or “tabernacles” or “shelters” or “booths” or “places” to commemorate this “incredible religious experience.” That’s when Pete started mumbling a bit.
“Old Pete” wants to savor the moment. He wants to enshrine it. Keep it, make it permanent, maybe even charge admission to get in…regardless he wants to “hang on to the moment.”
This is actually where the saying comes from, “Oh, for Pete’s sake!” (I made that part up!)
But it’s about to get “even better” than this…Talk about your “epiphany”…talk about “the light bulb going on”…talk about “a revelation”…this is one “epic-moment-in-time!” This was a “five gold stars” and “two thumbs up” – kind of day!!!
While Peter’s babbling on about the tabernacles or some such thing, a cloud blows in from nowhere – that casts its shadow over them all. Foggy, wet, damp, cold…goose bumpy!
Now things are getting um, weird. More weird? Weirder? Weirdest?
Clouds can be “foreboding.” Clouds are “enveloping”…all “surrounding” “encasing”…sight and seeing becomes next to impossible…
Heck, you can’t even see your hand in front of your face!
They probably started to wet their robes with fear…about now! Well this is definitely ominous! And, a wee bit terrifying…You’re “never going to believe” what comes next…
A voice echoes forth from the cloud: and it is “audible.” You can “hear it.” But you just can’t see anything…it is a booming voice…the kind of voice that breaks the cedars of Lebanon…like toothpicks!
“This is MY Son, my Chosen; LISTEN to him!” (There was no stuttering) Each and every syllable was perfectly pronounced!
The voice is talking “about Jesus” because, by that time, Jesus is standing there all alone.
Hey, where did they go, Moshe and El-ijah? They were just here. I saw them, I think? Hey, did you see them, too? You can’t make this stuff up!
The disciples say nothing to anyone, because sometimes words are just plain elusive.