SUNDAY SERMON: Seeing someone in a whole new light

By Rev. Stephen Baldwin

OT: 2 Kings

NT: Mark 9.2-9

Our son was wild about the Transformers toys. During that phase, he went to bed talking about transformers and he woke up talking about…transformers. In case you’re not familiar with them, they are robots that “transform” into vehicles like trucks, airplanes, and helicopters. They physically transform from one thing into another. 

Transformation is different from transfiguration. We’ve just read the story of Jesus being transfigured on the mountaintop. It doesn’t mean he transformed from one thing into another, like one of Harrison’s robots that turns into a truck.  To be transfigured means to be changed on the outside in terms of appearance. Jesus didn’t become someone else on that mountaintop; other people just saw him in a new light. 

You know what that’s like. I was in a meeting with someone recently who I’d always seen as wishy-washy. Never really willing to take a stand. But on that day when someone in the meeting started attacking his profession, he put his foot down. For the first time in my life, I saw him take a stand. In my eyes, he was transfigured. I saw him in a whole new light. 

When I first started dating Kerry, I knew she was beautiful. I was attracted to her the moment I first saw her. I still remember the moment. As I laid my eyes on this gorgeous young lady, this gorgeous young lady looked at me with a smile and said, “Did you know your shirt’s on wrong side out?” 

For some reason, I grew on her. And we’d been dating for a few months when I had to attend a party with the Board of Trustees. I invited her to come with me. It was a fancy affair. I had to rent a tux, get a haircut, and brush up on my manners to be around these fancy people. When I went to get Kerry at her dorm room so we could walk over together, she opened the door…and she was transfigured. Her hair was done, she was wearing a long dress, and I just couldn’t see anything but the sparkle in her eyes. I saw her in a whole new light. 

Transfiguration. We know what it’s like to see someone in a whole new light. It opens our minds to new possibilities. 

The disciples were followers of Jesus already. They believed. But on the mountain that day, they saw him in a new light. This truly was the Son of God, deserving of their full attention. As God said, they must listen to him. 

We are followers of Jesus already. We believe. But we need a mountaintop reminder every now and then to see Jesus in a new light. He truly is the Son of God; we cannot take him for granted or lull ourselves into being overly comfortable with him. We must listen to him. 

Lent begins this week with Ash Wednesday. It is a season for us to see Jesus in a new light. To be challenged by him as we listen deeply to what he’s saying. 

Did you notice that the disciples asked Jesus if they could stay on the mountain for a few days? I would have too. It was probably nice up there. Just them and Jesus. No crowds. Nice weather. Beautiful view. But Jesus had other plans for them. He told them they had to get to work, and they listened. 

Lent is upon us. Sometimes we think of Lent as a mountaintop experience. A time to sit back, take stock, and look inward. But Jesus tells the disciples to look outward. To put their feet on the ground. To get their hands dirty. To get to work for him. 

This Lent, I challenge you to do the same. Look outward. Put your feet on the ground. Get your hands dirty. Get to work for Jesus. 

As the voice from heaven says, “This is my son, the beloved; listen to him!” Amen.