February 15:
Call: 2 Kings 2: 1-12 Reading: W&S #56 Text: Mark 9: 2-9 Closing: 2 Corinthians 4: 5-6 I have always prized loyalty. If I find a bank I like and which treats me well, I stay with it. If I find someone who does a good job cutting my hair I stay with him or her. If I am happy with my telephone I don't go looking for a newer, fancier model This past summer I had a tire damaged beyond repair And that put me in a quandary Since moving to the North Country, I have purchased all my tires from a fellow in Massena And I have been pleased with him Since moving to Potsdam I have had all my mechanical work done by one garage And I have been pleased. My garage offered to sell me a new tire And, recognizing that I just didn't have much of a chance to get to Massena, Finally agreed to purchase it from them. But I felt guilty almost like I was cheating on my tire dealer in Massena. And because I prize loyalty so much I guess that is why I am so moved by the story Garrett read from 2 Kings. For it is about the loyalty of a follower. You heard it. God was preparing to take Elijah up to heaven So Elijah told his follower Elisha to remain in Gilgal But Elisha responded, "As the Lord lives and as you live, I won't leave you." So Elisha walked with Elijah to Bethel There Elisha was again told that God was going to take Elijah up And Elijah again told him to remain where he was. And again Elisha responded, "As the Lord lives and as you live, I won't leave you." And so Elisha walked with Elijah to Jericho At Jericho, Elijah once more told Elisha to remain where he was And once more Elisha responded "As the Lord lives and as you live I won't leave you." And so Elisha walked with Elijah to the Jordan. Where Elijah rolled up his coat Causing the waters to separate And Allowing the two to walk across on dry land. On the other side Elijah asked his loyal follower, "What do you want me to do for you before I am taken away from you?" Elisha did not ask for money or riches Elisha did not ask for power or fame Instead, Elisha asked for and received twice Elijah's spirit. Then Elijah was taken up His coat or mantle falling to Elisha Who picked it up Hit the waters with it And like they had for his mentor, the waters parted In a sign that he had received what he asked for. Elisha had refused to walk away from the one he followed While traveling from Gilgal to Bethel to Jericho to the Jordan And then, in this concluding act of loving loyalty, When offered a gift he did not act for a newer fancier mentor to replace Elijah He asked instead for two doses of the spirit that he saw in Elijah So that he too could serve God. By carrying on his mentor's work. But with furrowed brow and inquisitive mind, you ask, Why is this OT story a part of our celebration of the NT story of the Transfiguration? And why have we started with it Rather than with the Transfiguration story. This is, after all, Transfiguration Sunday. And that means that we should be talking about Jesus Going up that mountain Standing there with those other two guys And glowing as the voice spoke. You are right. You are right. But there is more to the story Than glowing on the mountain. First we know those "other two guys" were Elijah himself - Who represents the prophets As Moses - the other guy - represents the Law They are there to provide both visual and verbal reminders That Jesus fulfills Both the prophets and the law. I do not believe that this story about Elijah Is linked with the Transfiguration only because he was one of the "Two Guys." I believe that it is so linked Because it marks the end of Elijah's time on earth. And as such provides Elisha with a chance To set example of loyalty by taking up Elijah's work An example, that is First for the disciples and now for us. Now let's hear the transfiguration story [Mark 9: 2-9] We all know this story In the last ten years we have heard it ten times Three times each from Matthew and Luke As of today, four times from Mark For it is in each of those gospels And it tells of the disciples coming to know That Jesus is Lord And indeed that he fulfills both the law and the prophets. And we can take that as just a fact A fact that seems almost historical Rather than theologically impressive To us in the 21st century. But this story is marked by the presence of Peter, James, and John Three people who are going to have their chance To show their loving loyalty in the upcoming future They are there to be prepared for that opportunity By seeing the glowing presence of the trio By hearing the voice from heaven By being moved to fright and awe. They are not there to build shrines. They are there to be told to listen to Jesus The one who is the Son of God The one whom is dearly loved by God. I believe that listening to Jesus means That they are told to be loyal to him and his teachings even when they might have made a decision different from what Jesus tells them to do even when what Jesus tells them to do is hard even when what Jesus tells them to do is unpopular or requires sacrifice And even when Jesus is gone For they must take up his cross and continue his work. The three disciples on that mountain must stick with and follow Jesus Not just from Gilgal to Bethel to Jericho and to the Jordan But as they are ultimately told at his ascension to Jerusalem, all Judea, and Samaria, to the ends of the earth and even to the cross Where they will have the true opportunity for loyalty Taking up his work and making it their own And so these stories are packaged together On this Sunday before the Lenten season When we recommit ourselves to listening to and following Jesus and trying to be like him. That is the kind of loyalty that we need If we are to call ourselves Christians. For as Joshua succeeded Moses As Elisha succeeded Elijah As the disciples succeed Jesus You and I succeed the disciples. We too have to listen to him We too have to love him and be loyal to him.