Glimpses of Glory
How could they have known what their day would hold? How many times had Jesus asked them to go with him into the mountains? Would this be another day of crowds and miraculous sings? Was Jesus planning to meet some of those Pharisees that were secretly interested in his message? They never could know what Jesus might have up his sleeve. As they continued to go higher into the mountain what were they thinking? At what point did they realize that none of those other options were going to take place? Were any of them brave enough to verbalize the questions about this endeavor that certainly were running through their minds?
Surely all of these questions faded quickly away as they were overcome with the brilliance of the light. How could this be? They had spent the day watching him walk, sweat, maybe even grow weary. But now, something marvelous was happening. Before their eyes Jesus he changed. Moses? Elijah? Did they speak those same words that Thomas would later proclaim, "My Lord and my God." Were they able to speak at all? Transformed? What does that even mean? Whatever happened, it was spectacular! It changed them. It shaped them. It moved these men. Schweitzer describes this moment by writing, "for a brief moment the curtain is drawn aside," as the disciples are "allowed to see in Jesus something of the glory of God and [God'] kingdom, of that other life to which human eyes are otherwise blind." Peter saw it and was driven to respond. "Let's build shelters..." His words were quickly overshadowed. God spoke!
"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" These sons of thunder cower facedown to the ground unable to produce even a rumble. They do what you do when in the presence of God. Just a glimpse of the Glory of God was more than they could handle. What is the response to a glimpse of glory? Not actions, not programs, not explanation. God says. "Listen."
Have you heard the voice of God? Have you seen a glimpse of God's Glory? These great leaders of the church, "kept silent." Maybe that's our model. Matthew shows Jesus coming off of the Mountain and into the life of a boy with seizures. Perhaps the best way to respond to moments on the mountain is through service to those we meet when we come off. May God give us the courage to transform glimpses of glory into lifestyles of listening and compassion.
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