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 THE
TRANSFIGURATION . . . AND? - This is one of those passages where proclaimers scratch their
heads and wonder; to what shall I compare this? What in our lives is a rough parallel to
what we read here? One attempt, of course, is to connect the transfiguration with the
valley of service which follows. We then end up with a wonderful exhortation and
application: life consists of a rhythm that includes moments of inspiration and moments of
pedestrian duty-we need both. [1] While the rhythm is true, is this really what Luke the
theologian intends? Perhaps we might simply spend this Sunday listening to the
extraordinariness of the event, lost in wonder and worship; maybe "holy awe" is
a homiletical option. Look for the significance of the event as it impacts Jesus and the
disciples and try avoiding the usual attempts to reduce the text to fit our life
experiences.
FROM A DISCIPLESHIP POINT OF VIEW - Discipleship involves following,
going on. As much as they were awed by what they had seen, the disciples were not yet
ready to be witnesses to Jesus. Only later, after further following, the grief of the
cross and the joy of the resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit would they be
ready to speak their witness to what God had done in Jesus. Faithfulness is not achieved
by freezing the moment but by following on in confidence that God is leading and that what
lies ahead is even greater than what we have already experienced. [2]
TATIAN’S DIATESSARON - He changed the garments which he was wearing so that
they [Moses and Elijah] might know that it is also he who will raise to life the
body with which he as clothed. He, who gave his body a glory that no one can reach, is
able to raise it to life from the death that everyone tastes. [3]
 God uses real, concrete things to reveal Jesus Christ glorified-a mountain, a
face, clothes, bodies from the past, a cloud. What observable, physical response to
Jesus’ glory (kneeling, laying prostrate, or even twirling in delight) would
communicate your worship to holy God?
 For a sermon on this passage, please refer to the DPS homily for this week.
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[1] Fred Craddock, Interpretation Series: Luke (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1990),
page 132.
[2] New Interpreter’s Bible IX (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995), page 207.[3]Ancient
Christian Commentary on Scripture III (InterVarsity Press, 2003), page 160.
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