The Capacity of Human Knowledge
July 27, 2023
Luke 9:28-36 | I Kings 8:22-27
Luke gives a bit more detail in his account of Jesus’ transfiguration than we often pay attention to. We get some insight as to what he, Elijah, and Moses were talking about (Jesus’ earthly exit). But this small detail - which other gospels don’t give - only leads to more questions - What about it all? Was Elijah giving Jesus advice about what it’s like to disapparate into the sky? Was Moses sharing important advice about how one stands on top of mountains? More likely, was Jesus telling them what’s up? Maybe the two Hebrew prophets were simply encouraging Jesus about sticking through what was to come. We don’t know for sure.
And how about the three disciples who were sleepy through it all…what is that about? Were they sleepy because of the prior prayer time (they’re known for this) or did the ethereal nature of the moment make them sleepy, as in a trance-like vision? And why is this detail even important?
As much as our modern minds like to know everything, it remains that there are elements - mystery - beyond our knowledge. We can’t explain all details about how Christ works and why. We are not in control.
We might want to build shrines to encapsulate God, but it is not for us to do. Our command from the divine is simple: This is my son. Listen to him.
Luke 9:28-36
About eight days after Jesus said these things, he took Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes flashed white like lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with him. They were clothed with heavenly splendor and spoke about Jesus’ departure, which he would achieve in Jerusalem. Peter and those with him were almost overcome by sleep, but they managed to stay awake and saw his glory as well as the two men with him.
As the two men were about to leave Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it’s good that we’re here. We should construct three shrines: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—but he didn’t know what he was saying. Peter was still speaking when a cloud overshadowed them. As they entered the cloud, they were overcome with awe.
Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to him!” Even as the voice spoke, Jesus was found alone. They were speechless and at the time told no one what they had seen.
I Kings 8:22-27
Solomon stood before the Lord’s altar in front of the entire Israelite assembly and, spreading out his hands toward the sky, he said:
Lord God of Israel, there’s no god like you in heaven above or on earth below. You keep the covenant and show loyalty to your servants who walk before you with all their heart. This is the covenant you kept with your servant David, my father, which you promised him. Today, you have fulfilled what you promised. So now, Lord, Israel’s God, keep what you promised my father David, your servant, when you said to him, “You will never fail to have a successor sitting on Israel’s throne as long as your descendants carefully walk before me just as you walked before me.” So now, God of Israel, may your promise to your servant David, my father, come true.
But how could God possibly live on earth? If heaven, even the highest heaven, can’t contain you, how can this temple that I’ve built contain you?
Prayer
God,
Even as I open the words of my mind and heart to pray this prayer, I am feeling the audacity of such an endeavor. That I can talk to a living God and expect that the divine hears me or cares about what I have to say...
Ima go ahead and take the opportunity though. This is my faith - that you indeed do hear.
Even so, help me to hear, for it is within the response of who you are that I want to be shaped. Help me understand how much my questions are off or don’t matter. Help me see what does matter.
Help me hear the words and example of Jesus. I know already that he is your answer. Help me with those things for which I cannot find an immediate or obvious understanding within the teaching and example of Jesus. There are actually a lot of these, God.
So help me.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.