Jeremy L. Berg

LECTIONARY REFLECTION: Mark 9:2-9

Super Bowl Sunday is approaching and all eyes will be on Taylor Swift, I mean, the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers! While many hearts and minds will be drawn to the pigskin and various unhealthy party snacks, the common lectionary draws our attention this Sunday to the Transfiguration of Christ. Let’s catch the scene and discuss the most consequential huddle and game-winning play of all time.

“Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus [Luke adds: “and the exodus he would soon accomplish”]. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.” (Mark 9:2-9)

Imagine it’s the 4th quarter of the Super Bowl and there’s only 20 seconds left on the game clock. Your home team is down by 5 points and you have the ball on the 10 yard line. The quarterback gathers the team into a quick huddle to draw up one last play to try to break through the defense and score the game winning touchdown. That’s one fateful huddle to be part of!

But I can think of an ever better huddle to eaves drop on. 

On the Mount of Transfiguration, three disciples—Peter, James and John—stand a stones throw away from the greatest huddle in human history. Jesus is joined by Israel’s heroes Moses and Elijah, and they are drawing up a strategic plan to win the ultimate victory over sin and death that hold humanity and the fate of the world in an icy grip. Go ahead, picture the three of them in a circle, arms on each other’s shoulders, leaning in and discussing the game plan. A whiteboard and dry erase marker doesn’t really fit, but feel free to envision Moses holding a stone tablet and chisel. 

What would you give to stand inside that huddle and to hear what those three were discussing together in that Holy Huddle of the Ages? Well, in fact, we do know what they were discussing! Luke tells us. He says, “They were speaking about the exodus Jesus was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.” That is, Moses the great Law Giver and leader of Israel and Elijah the great Prophet and Wonderworker of the Old Testament, were perhaps giving Jesus their support, cheering him on, passing the leadership baton, and telling Jesus to go ahead and finish what they had started. “Bring this long and winding Story to its climactic fulfillment!” I imagine them saying. “We believe in you, Jesus! We’re with you!”  

What was he about to accomplish in Jerusalem? The word translated in English as something like “departure” is literally the Greek word exodus. Moses knew a thing or two about the original exodus! Moses was God’s chosen instrument to lead the Israelites out of slavery to Pharaoh in Egypt. Now Jesus would go to Jerusalem to die on the cross to lead humanity out of our captivity to sin and death! 

I don’t know about you, but it sends a shiver down my spine to think that there was a strange moment on a mysterious mountain long ago and far far away where three heroes of history huddled up to discuss my deliverance and yours! With the clock ticking down and the enemy seemingly ahead in the battle for humanity’s soul, Moses, Elijah and Jesus were drawing up a plan to win the victory over the powers of evil and death. 

They put their hands together, counted to three and got into formation. Moses hiked the ball to Elijah, and Elijah handed it off to Jesus and Great Cloud of witnesses cheered as Jesus “ran with perseverance the route set before him.” Yes, “for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, spiked the ball and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).

Yet, in this storybook ending, the star player who made the game winning play would not be lifted up on the shoulders of his teammates and celebrated to the cheers of the crowds. He would be lifted up on the cross and die to make the game winning play happen with the sound of jeers and mockery. He would lay down his life for Team Humanity, who would then lie confused and defeated on the grass for two long days, until on the third day Jesus would appear in victory running back into the stadium out of the tunnel. He would throw us all onto his shoulders and lift us all up forever more. 

How does it feel to know those three men in that holy huddle were discussing your deliverance and mine on that mysterious mountain long ago? I feel unbelievably grateful that Jesus was willing to execute the play drawn up on that ancient stone whiteboard, that he chose to go to Jerusalem to give us the victory of victories! 

So, how about Team Jesus today? Is the Church keeping to the Kingdom strategy and still drawing up plays to help deliver others from bondage to sin and shame and death and despair? When we huddle up on Sundays and midweek small groups, are we still plotting more and more mini-exoduses? May we follow Captain Jesus’ playbook and do our best to run his routes, helping others win little victories, as the clock ticks down on our short time on this earthly field.