Last Epiphany

A hotel in Budapest was having problems with its elevator. Since most of the guests spoke at least some English, the owner put up a sign. However, either he had a sense of humor or he was not very adept at English. The sign read like this: “The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be unbearable.”

I’ve known some unbearable people, haven’t you? Maybe you’re on your way to becoming somebody like that. It happens, doesn’t it? If so, today would be a good day to reverse your direction. We’re going to the mountaintop. With Christ and his three closest disciples.

You know the story. Jesus is on the mountain with Peter, James and John. Suddenly Christ’s face begins to shine like the sun, and his clothes become as white as light. At the same time, two of the most important figures in the Old Testament, Moses and Elijah, suddenly appear, talking with Jesus. Peter, never at a loss for words, says to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will make three dwellings here – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

While Peter is still speaking, a bright cloud envelopes them, and a voice is heard from the cloud, “This is my Son, the  Beloved; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” As you might expect, by this time, the three disciples are terrified. They fall face down to the ground.

But Jesus comes and touches them. “Get up,” he says, “And do not be afraid.” When they look up, they see no one except Jesus.

This was the ultimate mountaintop experience. Jesus transfigured. Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets.

Peter wanted to build three shelters and stay on that mountain. Who wouldn’t? They had arrived. It couldn’t get any better than this. So why not stay put? And this is the primary reason many people never realize all the blessings God wants to give them. They’re too comfortable where they are. We have an expression for it, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” However, sometimes it is broke, but we don’t want to admit it. Sometimes we want to stay where we are -even when where we are is not all that great. For example, consider having a bad attitude. Some of us know we need to change the way we interact with others, but we refuse. We enjoy being just the way we are.

Admit it, now. Some of us enjoy being grumpy, grouchy and hard to live with. We enjoy holding grudges and resentments, even when they’re eating away at our very soul. We secretly like making others miserable, even and sometimes especially, those closest to us. Admit it.

Some of us are like Lucy in an old “Peanuts” cartoon.

Lucy announces, “Boy, do I feel crabby.”

Linus tries to help her feel better. He fixes her a sandwich. As he gives her the sandwich, he asks, “Now, is there anything else I can get you? Is there anything I haven’t thought of?”

Lucy replies, “Yes, there’s one thing that you haven’t thought of. I DON’T WANNA FEEL BETTER!”

Do you know someone like that? They’ve got a miserable attitude – and that is just the way they like it!

A woman named Linda Neukrug was vacationing with a friend in Canada. She was not having a good time. She struggled with the language barrier, she couldn’t make sense of the money, the weather was cold, and she felt out of place. Linda’s friend, noticing her discomfort, suggested she look to their travel guide for advice. On one page of the travel guide, Linda’s friend had underlined these words, “When you travel, expect things to be different. And if things are not to your liking – change your liking!” These words reminded Linda that she was in control of her attitude, and she could choose how she approached each new situation.

Since that vacation many years ago, Linda has found those words to be a helpful guide in many situations. Any time she needs an attitude adjustment, she reminds herself of that phrase, “If things are not to your liking – change your liking!”

I believe Linda is on to something. Not everything in life is to our liking. Sometimes, for our own peace of mind and for the sake of those around us, we must change our liking. But we do have the power to choose. I want to challenge you today to look at your life. Is there some area in which you need an attitude adjustment? Do you realize that the bad attitude that many people nurture is simply their way of coping with fear? How we need to hear the voice of Jesus say to us, “Do not be afraid.”

Listen to Christ’s words. That’s what the voice said on the mountain: “This is my Son, the beloved; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” That should be the reason we come to this place each week – to listen for Christ’s voice.

I hope you take worship seriously. You and I have the extreme privilege of taking our needs, our relationships, our fears, our attitudes and laying them upon God’s altar. Then we listen for God’s voice. And sometimes, in the quietness of our own hearts, we hear Christ speak. And, from this, we build a new attitude about life.

Some of you baseball fans may remember former major league catcher and TV personality Joe Garagiola. Garagiola tells a story about baseball legend Stan Musial. Musial came to the plate in a critical game. The opposing pitcher in the game was young and nervous. Garagiola was catching, and he called for a fastball to be pitched to Musial. The pitcher shook his head. He didn’t want to throw that pitch. Joe signaled for a curve, and again the pitcher shook him off. Then he signaled for a change-up. Still the pitcher hesitated.

Garagiola went out to the mound to talk to his young pitcher. He said, “I’ve called for every pitch in the book; what do you want to throw?”

“Nothing,” was the pitcher’s reply. “I just want to hold on to the ball as long as I can.”

Well, who can blame him? Stan Musial was a legendary hitter. And that’s the way many of us are living. Holding on as long as we can to our grudges, holding on to our resentments, holding on to our fears. Why? Because we’re afraid to let go. But Jesus is here today and he is saying to you, “Do not be afraid.” Listen to his voice. Take his advice.

After his transfiguration, Jesus touched the disciples and said, “Get up and do not be afraid.” Suddenly the greatest power in the universe is concentrated into a touch. The image of the invisible God is seen in the face of a caring man. The source of all light and life on earth is revealed to be Jesus of Nazareth, the one who walks with us down the mountain, and stays with us through all our hardships, reminding us that God is with us, always with us, and that he will never let us go.

Get up and do not be afraid. That’s what the mightiest power in the universe says to us when we feel frustrated by failure, ransacked by bad relationships, battered by betrayal, soiled by sin, and depressed by mental, physical or spiritual deterioration. “Get up,” says Jesus. “I am offering you light and new life.” The marvelous promise of the resurrection is that there is always new life to be found on the other side of suffering and death.

“Do not be afraid,” counsels Jesus. “I am going to walk with you, and assure you of the presence of God in your life.” The greatest guarantee of Christ’s companionship is that nothing in all creation — no pain or crying, suffering or dying — can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39).

So, get up. And do not be afraid.