Reflections...

A sermon preached at Kowloon Union Church on Sunday 19 February 2012 by the Rev. Ewing W. [Bud] Carroll, Jr. The scriptures reading that day was Mark 9:2-9.


Have you ever been up to Kowloon Peak? How about the Peak on Hong Kong Island? Up on the Peak tram and down on one of those double-decker busses – sort of like a roller coaster. I first came to HK 46 years this week. At the time my family lived in Kowloon City. Whenever we had opportunity, we would get someone to drive us up to Kowloon Peak. There was basically nothing up there. But what a magnificent view! You looked down on the old Kai Tak airport; next to it jet fighter planes of the Royal Air Force; the lights of Kowloon and on some good nights, you could see all the way across to the Peak on HK Island.

An incredible feeling. Like, “I think I’ll just stay up here.” I suspect that’s what Peter must have been feeling. Along with James and John, the three had followed Jesus up to Mt. Hermon . Five times higher than our own Peak, about 3,00 meters; surely an amazing view. But I doubt it was the view that so moved Peter. No. It was the experience; seeing Jesus in dazzling white – like bright headlights blinding you. The three also had a vision of Moses and Elijah. Peter was so excited he suggested to Jesus, “Rabbi, let’s just stay up here. We’ll erect three tents in honor of Moses, Elijah and you. OK?”

I suspect each one of us has had at least one “mountain top” experience. Those kinds of events when we say, ”Wow. Nothing could be better than this.” If only life could be like this every day, every place, every time. And maybe we weren’t even atop a mountain. But then, just as with Peter, James & John, comes a voice, “Listen to my son!’ Come down from the mountaintop into the world of reality.

Mark is telling us this was the voice of God speaking to Peter, James and John. But put aside the description of the dazzling clothes, and bright lights. They’re not the center of the Gospel story. What is? That Jesus – the Babe of Bethlehem; the young man who astonished the temple priests with his wisdom and maturity – was transformed. Changed from life in a carpenter’s shop to both servant and savior of the world. Jesus was preparing his Disciples for the inevitable – the entry into Jerusalem; an unjust trial before Pilate and Jewish religious leaders; a fool-hardy crowd that within a few days changed from shouting, “Hosanna in the highest” to “Crucify him;” onward to a Last Supper with his Disciples; Judas Iscariot’s betrayal and then the final pain and agony of death on a cross – as a common criminal.

So what do we make of this story, Jesus’ transfiguration- or transformation? As we come to Ash Wednesday -the beginning of Lent – and the days leading up to Easter, God is both calling and challenging us to come down from our own mountain tops, as wonderful as they may be, to join Christ, living in the valley. The same voice that spoke to Peter, James and John, is calling to us-“Listen to him, my son”. Do as he says – and more importantly, as he does.” Don’t waste your time debating how Jesus was transformed; rather, what his transformation means for you and me. Our challenge and opportunity is to leave behind our experiences of safety and comfort and ourselves transformed, walk with Christ. I don’t know what kinds of valleys you live in, but let me share two that seem to reflect the meaning of this Gospel passage.

Firstly, the valley of fear. 5-year old Lucy’s Mom asked her to go down to their basement storage room and bring back a can of tomato soup. “But I’m afraid of the dark,” Lucy cried. Trying to comfort her, her Mother said, “It’s OK sweetheart. Jesus will be there with you.” So down she went. But just as she reached the basement door, Lucy had a bright idea. So she yelled into the dark, “Jesus, if you are in there, would you please hand me that can of tomato soup.”

Not all of us are as clever as little Lucy! We are often imprisoned by a wide range of fears. Instant TV news coverage is telling us that people of many nations around the world, are living in great fear. When Nikita Khrushchev was Premier of the Soviet Union he conducted several meetings to condemn and censure many of the cruel things Joseph Stalin had done. One day in such a meeting, someone in the audience shouted out, ”Why didn’t you stop Stalin?” Khrushchev replied, “Who said that?” Not a single person moved. Not a sound from anyone. Then Khrushchev said, “Now you know why.” Fear. Fear.

It’s so easy from the comfort of these church walls – from our own safe and secure mountaintops, to sing:
“O Young and fearless prophet of ancient Galilee,
your life is still a summons to serve humanity;
O young and fearless Prophet, we need your presence here,
Amid our pride and glory to see your face appear;
Once more to hear your challenge above our noisy day,
gain to lead us forward, along God’s holy way.

That’s talking the talk. Not walking the walk! Living in the valley is never so easy, convenient or comfortable. As we begin the Season of Lent, I pray it will be a time of ridding ourselves of whatever fears control our lives. Remember Jesus’ words to Zacchaeus – the corrupt tax collector sitting in a sycamore tree – “Come down now…” Christ is calling us today to let go of our fears and doubts; our anxieties and frustrations; our self-centeredness and doubts; our privileges and comforts – and follow him in living in the valley.

There’s a second valley – the valley of determination or perseverance. Could Jesus have avoided his cruel and painful crucifixion? Not and still be Jesus. Remember, on his last night, while at prayer and even from the cross, his words, “Not my will, but thy will be done.” Like us, Jesus experienced and enjoyed mountaintop experiences. But he also knew his purpose on earth was to be obedient to God’s will.

You may have heard about a man who learned there was a white gorilla in a zoo near his hometown. He eagerly visited the zoo and was so amazed to see such a special animal. He persuaded the zookeeper to let him sit in the cage with the white gorilla. “OK,” the keeper said, “but don’t touch him.” Shortly after, the man was so tempted that he actually touched the white gorilla. Suddenly the gorilla began to chase him. Fearing for his life, the man ran out of the cage; out of the zoo and hailed a taxi and hurried home. But as he reached his front door, there was the white gorilla. The man screamed for help, certain the gorilla would kill him. Suddenly, the gorilla smiled at him, touched his arm and said, “Tag. You’re it.”

Let’s be clear – I’m not comparing Jesus to a white gorilla! Rather, to remind us that God never gives up on us. Through Christ, God continues to run and to run – to hound us; to chase us; to call to us; to plead with us – “come, and follow me.” God in Christ, has gone beyond the second mile; to do all possible, even giving God’s son to death on a cross, to “‘touch” us. Yes, in a sense to say to us, “Tag. You’re it. Now it’s your turn.” To remind us that a life of faith is lived in the valley, not on the mountaintop.

Someone has penned these words, “The greatness of a person is determined not by what it takes to keep them going, but what it takes to stop them.” Can we see this? The greatness of Jesus was/is his determination; his perseverance. It is no surprise that the author of Hebrews could write, “Therefore we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

Scripture reminds us that when the day came for Jesus to be taken up, “He set his face to go to Jerusalem.” Today we are faced with at least two different types of valleys – two different directions to follow: One, the valley of fear; the other, the valley of determination. Which will it be for you?