Sunday next before Lent

Sermon preached by Jenny Walpole, ordinand at Westcott House 

I have to admire the tenacity of Elisha in our first reading. Three times, Elijah says to him: Stay here but each time Elisha follows him, from Gilgal to Bethel, to Jericho then to the Jordan. They journey together and cross the river. Elisha responds each time: As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you. 

Elisha needs determination and persistence, as he braces himself for the departure of his spiritual leader. Elisha hopes beyond accompanying Elijah that he will be the next spiritual heir but that isn’t certain. The various companies of prophets that they meet on the way also know that something big is about to happen. Elijah is to be taken up in a whirlwind, this is the end of his tenure as God’s instrument, times are moving forward and change is on the horizon. Elisha faces a recurring question from the prophets: Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?  Elisha’s tenacity continues, and twice he replies: Yes, I know; keep silent!

And when Elijah ascends, no words are necessary. What do you say when horses and chariots of fire whisk your mentor up into the heavens? Elijah is gone and when Elisha could no longer see him, he tears his clothes and mourns the loss of his friend. 

Endings are important, and they have a bearing on the next new beginning. I think Elisha displayed great wisdom in calling for silence because sometimes when we speak, we don’t add very much to the situation.

When Jesus is transfigured up on the mountain, Peter’s words seem foolish and out of place compared to Elisha’s understanding of his situation. Peter, James and John see Jesus transfigured before them, his clothes are dazzling white and Moses and Elijah mysteriously appear as well. They are terrified, and they do not know what to say. But Peter thinks he should say something: Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.

Perhaps Peter would have done better to have remained silent like Elisha. The next words that are spoken are God’s: This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him! No wonder they are terrified. And as they come down the mountain, they talk about it, trying to make sense of it and yet they are told to tell no-one about. Peter doesn’t yet comprehend that Jesus will leave them in a painful and gut-wrenching manner and that their a new chapter will shortly dawn. Peter and the disciples will soon become the next, unlikely spiritual heirs. 

Before the transfiguration took place, Jesus had spoken openly to his disciples, telling them that he would suffer and die and then rise again. But Peter took Jesus to one side, and refused to believe it. Perhaps this is why God steps in, with the command: Listen to him! Jesus goes on to say that if they want to follow him, they must deny themselves and take up their cross.

So, what is the point of the transfiguration? Or the chariots of fire and the dazzling clothes. These are incredible adventures, that take place out in the world but are not of the world, meeting God high up on a mountain, or walking through a parted sea. All this draws together the story of Israel, Jesus is the fulfilment of the law, and Jesus is continuing in the way of the great prophets. But Jesus is more than a prophet, and God confirms it himself saying: This is my Son, the Beloved. 

Transfiguration means a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state. This heavenly encounter witnessed by the disciples appears to defy any sense of time or earthly laws. Yet still these spectacular events do have something to say to us, because as spiritual beings we seek an encounter with the divine. I think there is a message in these scriptural passages about discipleship. 

Perhaps you have had in the past a conversion experience or been blessed with a breath-taking view of creation. Perhaps you came to realise at one point that this earth, and the whole universe is so marvellous in its design, it has got to be some kind of ‘put up job’. I wonder if these stories remind you of an encounter you may have had, even if it was on a smaller scale? A warm feeling in your heart, like a complete sense of joy. But then after that, the wonderful feeling of clarity and assurance, feels lacking as we come back down to earth, to the humdrum of ordinary life, and endure a sort of post-holiday blues. Holidays almost feel like a distant memory, I’d love to be on an adventure to the top of a mountain, or taking in the view of the sunset on a beach. But I don’t know yet even when I will next be on a plane, or even taking a road trip to visit family and friends.

These times may feel like we are walking among the shadows and the valleys, not on a mountain top. But the stories of transfiguration and heavenly whirlwinds, have something to tells us about the spiritual lows as well as the highs. When the Disciples journey down the mountain, the narrative takes sombre turn, and for Jesus this means death on a cross. When Jesus comes down the mountain, he anticipates a fate that he can only accept by trusting completely in God’s mercy. There is vulnerability the story of Elisha as he waits for the Lord to take Elijah away and waits for his own confirmation, and this theme of vulnerability applies to us too, and reminds us of our dependence on God.

In our current life, the difficulties and struggle we face are not necessarily obstacles to be overcome but serve as reminders to embrace our dependence on God and to embrace God’s mercy. No matter the highs of the mountain top experience we are not immune from the hardships of life. But by embracing reality and trusting in God’s faithfulness, we will find strength to accept our vulnerability. 

Elisha’s faithful response to the uncertainty that he faced involved two things: he followed with persistence and he kept a silent watchfulness. In our own journey as disciples these things can help us especially in times like we are experiencing; we don’t know how the journey will unfold or how it will end. When the disciples followed Jesus down the mountain, they too were uncertain and afraid, unsure where following Jesus would lead. 

But following and watching for evidence of God’s grace and power can be our response to God. And it is through our continued prayer and worship, that we orientate ourselves toward that which is of ultimate worth. Next week we begin our Lenten journey, and we embark on 40 days to examine our intentions and purposes, working out the desires of our own hearts and seeking to line them up with the intentions and purposes of God. In whatever way we chose to observe Lent, like Peter and Elisha we need courage for the journey because the Holy Spirit has this habit of disrupting life in both glorious and disturbing ways. Amen