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May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts together be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our rock, and redeemer. Amen.

I might have told some of you that I like to go hill walking, and I’ve been lucky enough to go up quite a few highish mountains, such as Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro, on trips to Kenya and Tanzania. And I guess if you ask any ‘mountain folk’ like me why they climb such heights, and take such risks up a mountain, you’ll get various responses:

because it’s there,

for the challenge,

the rush of adrenalin,

the sense of excitement and achievement.

But some more ‘spiritual’ people might also tell you it’s because the journey to the top teaches you something about yourself. Mountains have always fascinated people. They symbolise stability and continuity. They provide unparalleled views, a new way of looking at Creation and our seemingly tiny place within it. Mountains have been places of refuge, and they’ve been regarded by many ancient peoples as being among the first created earthly things.

So, many cultures see mountains as being closer to the Creator, closer to God, because of their age and majesty. Moses went up a mountain to confirm his relationship with God. And I guess that probably everyone who climbs a mountain discovers something about themselves.

In our Gospel reading today we see Jesus taking his disciples up Mount Hermon to teach them something special about himself, and themselves. Mountains have great significance in the history and geography of Palestine and Israel. When it came to important prophecies or teaching, or when God needed to reveal something critically important for the good of his people, a mountain was often the chosen location.

The amazing experience on the mountain, in our reading, had happened just eight days after Jesus had told his disciples to take up their cross. Any true follower of Jesus must take up their cross and follow him. But Jesus needed Peter, James and John to know exactly what that meant. On that mountain Jesus showed his friends exactly who he was. And, as they witnessed his transfiguration, Peter, James and John began to realise within themselves exactly who they were. Jesus, no longer just a special man, was confirmed beyond all doubt as being their Messiah. On that mountain, Peter, James and John became much more than friends of Jesus. They became true and complete disciples, fully informed about the extent of Jesus' role in relation to God. The transfiguration changed these three disciples into people that were utterly committed to Jesus as God.

Just as Peter, James and John went up the mountain with Jesus, so must we. We must take up our cross and follow Jesus. We can read an almost identical account of the Transfiguration in Chapter 16 of Matthew's Gospel. Earlier in Matthew’s account, Jesus asks the disciples who they think Jesus is. Peter responds by saying that he knows Jesus to be the Messiah, the Son of the living God. That was an amazing leap of faith, because up until the Transfiguration, Peter’s understanding was inspired guesswork, based on the teaching and behaviour of Jesus.

Peter's reward for that earlier act of faith was Jesus taking him up on the mountain where he could witness the amazing presence of Moses and Elijah in conversation with him. Peter could also hear the voice of the living God confirming Jesus to be exactly who Peter had concluded he was. Suddenly Peter discovers something about his own identity and destiny. He was no longer just the fisherman but now the follower of truth in the company of the Messiah and the whole company of heaven.

And so it is for us: this story of Jesus on the mountain is our story too, not just Peter’s. We are transfigured. We are transformed. Jesus helps us to bear the strain and struggles of our lives, helps us to carry our crosses. But Jesus also helps us to reveal the good news to others around us, changing the world around us.

Jesus helps us to do our part to recognise the kingdom of heaven breaking in around us. And, as I was saying last week, the kingdom of heaven becomes visible in a community of faith, a community of faith where we listen to each other and get to know one another as good friends, a community of faith where we bless one another, a community of faith where we reflect God’s glory, our community of faith here this morning.

I might have already given you a placemat with the ancient blessing on it from Numbers, I handed a few out in August last year? I have some spare, if you would like one. Just get in touch.

‘The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.’

Why not find some time during Lent to visit someone and give them your placemat, have a cup of tea or coffee with them, and bless each other? When you’re together take some time to notice the kingdom of heaven in your midst:

through your listening and your blessings,
through your mutual reflection of God’s glory.

Take some time to listen to Jesus through the words the other person is saying to you.

We might not have an opportunity to go up a mountain with Jesus in person, but the Gospel story we’ve read this morning takes us there. Maybe you could read it through again during the week ahead, and the other related readings in our new weekly sheet? It’s important for us to own today’s Gospel reading because what happened to the disciples on that mountain over 2050 years ago, is for our enlightenment and ownership now, here in this place in 2024!

So, when you next see a majestic view of God’s wonderful Creation, and there’s plenty of scope around here to see such a view, remember Mount Hermon and God’s message! Because that message confirms our identities as followers of Jesus. That message opens our hearts to God’s blessings. That message sustains and grows our community of faith in this place.

Amen.

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The Reverend Anthony Bennett

Interim Minister – the Benefice of Middle ESK Moor
middleESKmoor.org

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These two books, edited by Jane Williams, are continuing to be very helpful with planning my sermon writing:

Williams, J (2009), Ed., ‘Lost for Words, A Sermon Resource for the Anglican Three Year Cycle,’ Redemptorist Publications, Chawton, UK.

Williams, J (2011), Ed., ‘Lectionary Reflections, Years A, B and C.’ Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, London, UK.