There I was, in the middle of the street.  ALL the neighborhood kids were standing around nervously biting their nails – on my behalf.  A few adults were standing in little clusters whispering – about what, I could only guess.  But I was too busy concentrating and praying really, really hard that I wouldn’t fall;  that I wouldn’t embarrass myself; that I wouldn’t do anything that would cause people to laugh at me.  I was 7 years old.  I was on my bike!   My father was beside me, holding the seat of my bike, steadying my balance.   It was time to take my bike riding to the next level.   This was my first ride without those dorky, yet at one time, necessary training wheels.  Scared to death!  How I could hear my father’s instructions over the beating of my heart, I still don’t know. 

            At one time or another, we all experience the desire, need or nudge to move to the next level in learning something – whether riding a bike, playing a video game, exercise and eating correctly, computer knowledge, job skills for a better position, how to deacon better, going deeper in personal and group Bible Study (you knew I had to get that in somehow).   We don’t want to stagnate and never grow in understanding and knowledge in personal and professional skill areas.  In the words of a popular Food Network cooking program, when we want to move the flavors of a humdrum, everyday recipe to the next level of tastes and flavors, we are told to use a special blend of spices to “kick it up a notch.” 

            Jesus’ disciples were no different than us (I don’t know about the cooking abilities, but…).  We read throughout the Gospels how just about every encounter was a moment when Jesus “kicks it up a notch” in His disciples’ understanding and faith. 

            The passage just before today’s reading - and Dave’s sermon of last week - tells of one of those moments…and sets the stage for us today.  While on the road, Jesus asks the disciples who people are saying He is.  Their answers we talked about in our small groups this week:  John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets.  Then Jesus asks:  “BUT who do YOU say that I am?”   Can’t you just hear the silence?  Can’t you see all eyes diverted to anywhere but Jesus’ face?  The nervous biting of nails has begun.  Ahh, never fear. There is always one to come to the rescue.  Here, it is Peter who comes to the disciples’ rescue.   It could be said that Peter’s response demonstrates his theological brilliance:  You are the Messiah!  Now, Peter still doesn’t understand at this point, what it means that Jesus IS the Messiah, the Son of the living God – but he says the words out of his Jewish background and knowledge.  Then only moments later Peter shows his human ignorance.  He pulls Jesus aside and rebukes Jesus for talking about suffering, rejection and dying.   This is where we see Peter freely giving Jesus advice.  And for Peter’s trouble…Jesus calls him Satan! 

            I don’t know about you, but THAT would stop me in my tracks…stunt my spiritual growth right there!  I don’t know about Peter, but I think I would want my spiritual training wheels back on.

            Interesting that Verse 2 of this morning’s scripture reading begins with, depending on your version, Only a week, or six days later.    For our spiritual life, this phrase: “Six days later” represents the disciples and our spiritual incompleteness…our process.   Although Peter would have no way of knowing, his spiritual incompleteness is such a good model for you and me.    Throughout our lives, we display faith and commitment but also foolishness and doubt.  Like Peter, we have not arrived.  We are on a spiritual journey.  We have no reason to be filled with pride for our achievements or shame for our failures.  Thank God, God is truly not yet finished with us.   The life of discipleship is never complete.   And in that ongoing process we continually must move on to the next level of understanding and faith and spiritual development.

It is such a time for the first disciples.  And here Jesus takes only three of the twelve disciples to go up Mount Hermon .   The three going on this retreat are James and John and – yes, -- Peter!  These three are considered Jesus’ inner circle of the twelve.   Wow, still - even Peter!    Jesus expects Peter to accompany Him as well.   After that “Satan-calling” encounter why in the world does Jesus want Peter anywhere in His presence, let alone to go with Him now up the mountain?   Sometimes you and I have absolutely no idea why we are going up that mountain:  why we are going back to school in our 40’s or 50’s, or why we said yes to serve on Session or on the Board of Deacons, or why we are facilitating a small group, or how God wants to strengthen us throughout a crisis in our life, or as we help another.  By Jesus’ actions then, we are reminded that the first step in our spiritual life is always initiated by God.   In our take charge, make it happen world today, we are uncomfortable with the suggestion that we are not in control.  Nonetheless, God is still the One who initiates, directs and controls our spiritual life.  So the question begs to be asked: What mountain is Jesus trying to get you to go up with Him?  Is it the very first mountain of seeking and acknowledging Jesus?  Regarding your spiritual life, does Jesus want to “kick it up a notch”?   Could it be God’s desire that you know Him deeper?  Is it a new mountain of service and growth?  Whatever the mountain, we do need to be like Peter and go in obedience with this one called Jesus. 

Yet, as Peter walks with the others up that mountain, I think I have an idea what Peter might be thinking.  See if this could fit:  “I was just trying help Jesus – sort of keep Him on track.  I would think Jesus would have been grateful to me – the Rock - for telling Him how things really are…how things really work around here.   Now I know James and John and I have been bugging each other lately.  Maybe they are going to gang up on me up there and throw me off the edge?  Or maybe this is some sort of first century spiritual intervention, or group therapy for us?  For me? Naw!  What gives? 

Indeed, what does Jesus see in any of us, to want to keep us around, to continue to help us, to continue to grow our faith and love us?  What does Jesus see in Peter – in spite of Peter – that causes Jesus to still want to include him in His inner circle?   Well, in that Satan-calling encounter, we know that Jesus was calling out Satan.  So could it be that, perhaps, Jesus knows Peter needs a bit of encouragement from Him right about now?   Could it be that Jesus needs to reveal to Peter – at yet another level – just who Jesus really is?  Could it be that because Jesus knows what is yet to happen, and what His future church leaders will need – Jesus needs to move Peter to the next level?  Yes, all of these.  And yes, Jesus is about to “kick it up a notch!” 

So then we are told that once Jesus and the three disciples get to the top of the mountain, Jesus prays.  And as Jesus prays He is transfigured before the three.  This is when, and how, God chooses to reveal, through Jesus, the truth about Himself.  This means that one minute Jesus looks like a normal human being…just like Peter, James and John.  Indeed, they have seen the normal human side of Jesus so completely that, as we heard when we eavesdropped on Peter’s thoughts, Peter got just a bit too comfortable in that relationship.

Then, the next minute, as Jesus prays, He is bathed in dazzling light!!!  His clothes are whiter than any human process could make.  This even exceeds all the claims of soap and detergent ads of our day!   Along with the dazzling clothes, Jesus’ entire appearance changes – from the inside out!   In His transfiguration, God’s glory and majesty not only shone around Jesus, but it shone through Him.  Jesus becomes radiant.  God reveals what is behind the humanness of Jesus.  God’s glory – in Jesus - shines before the disciples.  

And then Elijah and Moses appear!  And these two are conversing, just talking with the dazzling white, resplendent Jesus!!!   You and I have the benefit of scripture and study to know the significance.   These are two Old Testament prophets.  Moses is the prophet known as the giver of the Law.  Elijah is chosen as the representative prophet.  Both are here testifying to Jesus as being the One to whom they had pointed forwards all these years.  Here Jesus is presumably (and we can only guess) talking with these two about His own coming suffering.  They are here encouraging Jesus to continue on to accomplish what is still before Him.  The Cross!

We turn and we look at Peter.  We look in Peter’s face, we look in his eyes.  I believe we see awe, mixed with unbelief.  The unbelief mixed with a bit of sheepishness.  For now we now remember, as Peter remembers that Jesus had sent Peter out to heal in Jesus’ name.   Peter has seen and done some marvelous things.  Peter has grown quite comfortable doing “Jesus things,” and more so in what he feels his own knowledge of Jesus is all about.  What we see now in Peter’s eyes is “Oh, my gosh!  This is who Jesus is!  And to think I have been instructing Him.  I have been telling God what to do and how to do His business.  This is the Son of the One and True living God.” 

Peter finally gets it!  And he is left speechless…Well, Peter is never left speechless – not for long anyway!  For right there in the middle of this dazzling, unforgettable, awesome, revealing moment…Peter – dear Peter – just starts to go on and on and says: “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here.  This is so cool!  Let’s fast freeze this God-moment.  I want to make three dwelling places, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.  Come on guys, let’s get to it!”    I think it is great that Mark gives us insight to Peter’s rambling on about building these three dwellings.  It is because Peter – well Peter just does not know what to say.   Oh, how like Peter we are.

There are times we are the ones to jabber on and on, because we just do not know what to say.  When we hear bad news, when we are in the midst of a crisis situation, or during those silent pauses, when we are told something that is absolutely unbelievable, we often ramble with words.   You know, we also ramble with things.  Today’s high tech gadgets really aid our rambling – with CD’s, DVD’s, picture cell phones.  We get busy with those things that don’t have a greater purpose.   We ramble with doing.  We do ministry, through the ministry teams, as deacons, give time at the Rescue Mission, and other fine organizations, teach Sunday School and the youth, helping neighbors.  These are all very important acts.  Doing ministry is at the heart of being a Christian.  

But when you and I get too busy, when we ramble on in life because we do not know what to say or do, we easily miss the depth of God’s  message.  God does not want Peter – or James and John – or us, to let His message to slip by.  So God goes right ahead and “kicks it up another notch.”  God’s answer to Peter’s suggestion – to Peter’s rambling and busy-ness is quite clear and direct: “This is my Son, the Beloved; LISTEN TO HIM!”   In this, you see, God invites us to go up the mountain with Him.  God tells us we are loved.  God tells us He wants to spend time with US…not left over time – but quality, secluded, alone…listening time.  God tells us it is Him who is to be revealed to us.  “LISTEN! I am revealing myself to you.  I am preparing you for the future.  I am showing you my love. Listen to my Son.”  

And then God removes Moses and Elijah.  The cloud is lifted and they see that no one is with them anymore.  No one, but Jesus only.   In this act, God proclaims that Jesus is center.  The Law and the Prophets have served their turn.  They now pass away.   The One who is the fulfillment of both -- alone remains.

            It is often not until much later in life that we come to see the purpose of the events of our lives and how they all fit together.  Danish Philosopher Soren Kirkagaard said that “life can only be lived frontwards, but can only be understood backwards.”   It is then when we realize how God works through events to prepare us for the future – which is right now.  The event of Jesus’ transfiguration was such a time in Peter’s life.   Peter was transformed.  Peter and the rest of the disciples were going to face such hardships they could never imagine.  They were transformed into usable, integral leaders in Christ’s church.  We know of this transformation as we read the book of Acts and Peter’s own two letters, later in the New Testament.  Hear what Peter says in his second letter (1:16-19) – these words are also the Call to Worship in the bulletin:  For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.  For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased” – and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.  And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.

            Well, I did learn to ride a two-wheeler – because I was willing and I paid attention and I listened.  Like Peter, we are to be willing embark on this journey of faith.   And then we must be willing to recognize that God has been actively trying to get us up the mountain to begin with.   We must be willing to put aside our ramblings – or words, doings, and busy-ness – to wait on and to listen to God.  For our journey of faith has an ultimate destination.  The destination is not a place – but it is to a person.   Our destination is Jesus Christ. 

            When we are willing to go with Jesus and listen to Him, then we will enjoy the majestic beauty of seeing the splendor of our Lord transfigured before us.     May we be transformed and be able to see Jesus more clearly as we go with Jesus.  May we be ready as God reveals to us that Jesus is the Son of the One and True Living God.