First United Methodist Church
February 11, 2024
Rev. Lauren Hall
Beyond the Fear
Fear has a way of immobilizing us sometimes. We all handle it differently. Some of us stuff it down deep and never try to show that we have it. Some of us hide. Some of us fight. Some of us try to reframe our fear into something positive.
I remember the first time I had to face a code blue in the hospital. After three months of training as an army medic, I was assigned to work in the Intensive Care Unit. We had a small unit with only two rooms, and on that particular night, the only patient we had coded. As the nurses and doctors sprang into action to get the man’s heart beating again, I was a little overwhelmed and unsure what my role should be. I felt like I should be doing something, anything, so I started picking up trash and emptying the trash cans. I know that sounds like an odd thing to do, but a lot of packaging accumulates as medical equipment is rapidly ripped open, and I didn’t want anybody to slip on it.
In time, with additional training and practice, I learned exactly what I should do in those situations, and in addition to picking up the trash, I was able to assist the nurses and doctors in a more positive way.
Fear is obviously present in our Gospel story. Mark directs our attention to the fear of Peter, James and John--especially Peter, who witnesses something amazing and frightening and in his fear decides to do something. Not much is said about James and John except that they were paralyzed with fear.
So what was going on with Jesus on the mountaintop?
It’s called “the transfiguration” for a reason. Jesus’ appearance changes completely and radically, if only for a few moments, in the sight of the disciples. He appears the way one expects divine figures to appear – dazzlingly white, so bright, in fact, that one can hardly gaze upon him. Not only that, but he is immediately surrounded by the great figures of Israel’s past – Moses and Elijah – each of whom left the earth in mysterious ways and who were therefore thought to be possible messengers to announce God’s coming kingdom.
No wonder the disciples are paralyzed with fear. No wonder Peter did not know what to say. All he can think is that the end of the world must be on the way, and since some traditions thought that God would usher in the kingdom during Israel’s Festival of Booths, he imagined that this was just what was happening right in front of him and so offers to construct booths for each of the three.
And he’s right – God is indeed coming, but a little wrong about the timing. But there is a deeper reason why Peter wants to stay there. Fear. Peter doesn’t want to face what might happen in the coming of God’s kingdom.
Think about the event that happened just prior to this story. According to Mark, six days earlier Jesus and his disciples went all the way up to Caesarea Philippi, at the base of Mount Hermon. If you go there today, you’ll find that it was a hotbed of pagan worship. There were temples to Zeus and Pan and a host of other gods and goddesses. It was here that Jesus asked his disciples, “‘Who do men say that I am?’ They told him, ‘John the Baptizer, and others say Elijah, but others: one of the prophets.’ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”” (Mark 8:27-29)
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. (Mark 8:31-32)
Peter takes him aside and tells him he shouldn’t say such things. Even then he wants to keep things as they are. He’s too afraid to change his heart to the will of God. Jesus tells him, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” (Mark 8:33-34)
Fast forward to the mountaintop, and there is Peter again, relishing the moment, remembering that what they have with Jesus is great. “Let’s remain here,” he thinks, “I’ll build booths.” That’s a practical thing to do. And if they remain on the mountaintop in the booths, they, or he, won’t have to go to Jerusalem to face what is coming.
Why is it that Peter can’t wrap his mind around what “messiah” means? Perhaps he can’t see past the “deeds of power” – the healings, the exorcisms, the feeding of thousands – to the power of Jesus’ sacrificial love. Perhaps he fears what might happen to him if his “messiah” gives his life as a ransom, instead of fighting and conquering by conquest. Peter has to overcome his fear of following Jesus to the cross.
We can’t know for sure, but perhaps the real question is how does our thinking differ from Peter’s? Do we not also want God to conform to our sense of what a “God” should be – a kind of divine “big brother” who always looks out for us? Do we not also desperately want God to do what we want, what we know we need?
And so the Transfiguration suddenly shows us that it is not just Jesus that is being transfigured, but all of us. Even time itself is being transfigured, as this event foreshadows and announces God’s imminent return in power to redeem God’s people, just as Jesus had earlier said.
Except….it’s not in a way anyone – not Jesus’ disciples or his opponents would expect. Hence the voice from heaven saying, “listen to him.” Set your mind on divine things, not human things. See the transfiguration for what it is – the revelation that Jesus is the fulfilment of the promises of the Law and the Prophets. Jesus predicted his journey to the cross earlier and his disciples wouldn’t listen. He will again – two more times, actually – and they will continue to misunderstand. Finally he will go to Jerusalem and die on a cross, and in this way – and only in this way – open a new possibility for experiencing the grace and mercy of God.
This isn’t the way kingdoms are normally won. This isn’t the way the world is usually changed. We’re used to armies, force, and power as the operative means by which to change the world. Yet Jesus operates through vulnerability, weakness, and truth.
In this service where we focus on fear, we should also recognize that it is very likely that Jesus was afraid, too. Everyone alive knew what it was like to be abducted and punished as a political prisoner. I believe Jesus knew what his consequences would be--he knew which powers he was challenging.
And so the last thing that needs to be transfigured is our own imagination, as we come to believe and recognize that God shows up just where we least expect God to be – in the cross, in our moments of despair, in our brokenness and vulnerability…always to redeem, love, and save. Whether we are ready for it or not.
Perhaps that can give us courage. Perhaps we can move beyond our fear because we know that God, even in fear, will go the road with us. God will face persecution, torture, and death because God loves us. And we can remember that even when we are afraid and stunned into silence, or we find ourselves terrified which brings out the worst in us--that no matter what, God is with us; we are not alone.
Knowing the simple truth of God's abiding presence with us is how we can move beyond our fear into the calling God has for us and into the life God has provided to us!
The season of Lent begins this week with Ash Wednesday. May this be an opportunity for us to look beyond our own fear as we consider all that Jesus is “up to” and all that he asks us to be up to in his name. Let us pray:
Pastoral Prayer
Peace-loving God, you bring us hope and healing in the midst of our conflicted lives. At times we struggle to follow you because we are so fearful of leaving behind the familiar and the comfortable. But you promise to be with us always, just as you have been for every generation. Embolden us now to follow in your ways and embrace the transformation to which you are calling us.
For the faithful all over the world, that all who love you may be united in your mission.
For the people and leaders of the nations, that they may be reconciled one to another in pursuit of your justice and peace.
For all who suffer from prejudice, greed, or violence, that the heart of humanity may radiate with your tenderness.
For all in need because of poverty, natural disasters, or war, that they may know the hope of your faithfulness through the help of others.
For the land, the sea, the sky — for your whole creation, which longs for its redemption that we may live with respect for your creation and use your gifts with reverence.
For all who suffer the pain of sickness, loneliness, fear, or loss, that those whose names are in our hearts, in the hearts of others, or known to you alone, may receive strength and courage. This week we pray for… [names]
Gracious Lord, offer blessing upon blessing to those we lifted up in prayer today, and open our eyes to see not what we want, but what we need. Open our eyes, that is, to see you in the broken places of the world, always at work to heal and restore.
We pray this prayer, seeking transformation beyond our fear and hesitation, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Benediction
And so now go forth and contemplate the horizon you are called to move beyond, trusting that there is more in store for you than you can perceive or know all at once. Go forth with courage into this day, knowing that God is with you always. The inkling that feels like fear
may be the nudging of courage asking for a bigger container. Keep on, my friends, sustained by the Bread of Life, washed in the Grace of Christ, moved beyond your wildest imaginings.
Amen.
