Transformed

Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. Luke 9:28-36

Our little town has been transformed. In one day we have gone from a sleepy little fishing village to a tourist mecca. The big cruise ship pulls into the harbor, sounds the horn and begins off loading the camera laden travelers. The streets are filled, the shops open, and there is a bazaar like feeling everywhere. It is the same town, but for a time both how it looks and sounds is spectacularly different.

Jesus takes a small group up the mountain to pray. I am sure he did this on some regular basis, setting aside time to pray and calm his spirit. We all need to do this. This time, the disciples witnessed a transformation, an insight into the true being of Jesus, the heart of God. One that had looked like an average guy became his true self - radiant with the love of God and embedded in the family of God from the beginning. The disciples wanted to respond in some spectacular way, but were interrupted by a voice which instructed them to listen to Jesus. This moment was burned in their memories, a picture of their teacher transformed to his true self. And it gives us a moment, a vision, of the true heart of God. One that brings light in our darkness, changing us from tourists to those embedded in the family of God.

Today I ask God to help me hold onto those moments of great light and insight. May we remember these moments when the fog rolls in and our lives are clouded with darkness and pain. May we recall that we are embedded in the heart of God. And may we rejoice in the love we have today despite the weather or the circumstances.