[Propertalk] Sermon tidbits for Mt. 17:1-9, Part 5

[Joe Parrish]

Early readers of Matthew's gospel probably heard echoes of Exodus 24 as the events of the Transfiguration unfolded in their hearing, enabling them to perceive Jesus as the "new Moses" who leads and empowers the people of God. They know that older story. Leaving Aaron behind along with the elders, Moses took Joshua with him into the mountain, where, after six days, the glory of the Lord burned on the mountain top and God spoke to Moses in that place, giving to him the words of the covenant with God's people (Exodus 24:13-18).  Similar echoes of Moses' experience sound in the account of Elijah's mountaintop encounter with God (1 Kings 19:8ff).<>...another mountain, to which Jesus has directed his followers after his resurrection. In that place, in the company of the gathered community, Jesus' followers receive the promise that his story and their story will be forever intertwined

http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?lect_date=2/3/2008&tab=4

Audrey West, 2008
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...His partner cried out, "Don't tell me you pulled over the President of the United States?"

The shaken cop insisted, "No, he's even bigger than that!"

His partner retorted, "Bigger than the President of the United States? Who in the world is bigger than the President of The United States?"

The first officer answered, "Well, I'm not exactly sure, but the Pope is his chauffeur!"

Peter, James, and John might have wondered who was bigger than Moses and Elijah. God let them know it was Jesus, God's Beloved Son. The importance of Elijah and Moses faded away when placed next to Jesus.

http://www.sermonsuite.com/content.php?i=26307&key=eUolwwshkiAg36fw

Gregory L. Tolle
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This also suggests that we as pastor might need an inner group of leaders/supporters who share special moments with each other, that aren't necessarily shared with other leaders or members in the congregation. In fact, Bill Easum says two things that relate to this. (1) "The pastor should not see the whole congregation as his/her flock, but the staff (paid and unpaid) is his/flock -- those people who are giving extraordinary time to the church." 

http://www.crossmarks.com/brian/matt17x1.htm

Brian Stoffregen
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When all else fades -- and indeed, soon enough all will become dark indeed -- yet Jesus remains, reaching out in help and healing. At the very close of Matthew's account, he will gather with these and all of his disciples on another mountain, and promise that he will be with them even to the close of the age.

http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?lect_date=3/6/2011

David Lose, 2011
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...consider the vision described in Daniel 10:5-6.  Daniel says,
I looked up and saw a man clothed in linen, with a belt of gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl [which is a mineral], his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the roar of a multitude.
These verses from Daniel sound like Matthew's Transfiguration in which Jesus' "face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white." Perhaps even more strikingly, in Daniel 10:11 the blazing figure says to Daniel, "greatly beloved, pay attention to the words that I am going to speak to you." These word choices echo in Matthew...

http://www.patheos.com/community/carlgregg/2011/02/25/lectionary-commentary-practicing-transfiguration-for-march-6-2011/

Carl Gregg, 2011
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Like Peter, I might have babbled about building them booths or tabernacles to stay forever up on the mountain with me (Mt. 17:4).  Perhaps Jesus didn't want them to leave either. I wouldn't presume to say.
But this memory comes to mind. When I was in the throes of a very long labor with my daughter, Rebecca, I remember clinging to the hand of a kindly nurse, who was trying to extricate herself from my grasp.  "Give me back my hand now, honey," she said, kindly but firmly.  "My shift is over now. I've gotta go home."  I allowed her to pry my fingers from her hand. She smiled at me, and said, with that wonderfully practical manner that nurses have: "If one of us has to leave, it better be me. Because you're the only one who can have this baby."

http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Finding-Ourselves-in-the-Story-Alyce-McKenzie-02-25-2011?offset=2&max=1

Alyce McKenzie, 2011
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In place of Mark's description of Jesus' metamorphosis, "And his garments became very shining white such as a bleacher on earth is unable to whiten," Matthew has substituted the language of an apocalyptic theophany, "His face shone as the sun and his garments became as white as the light." 

http://www.goodpreacher.com/shareit/readreviews.php?cat=28

Herman C. Waetjen 
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