February 15, 2026

Matthew 17:1-9

It’s hard to imagine a time when the heroes were the heroes of the faith. Before super-heroes, athletes, actors, and celebrities there was likely a time when parents whispered the true stories of the faith. Legendary stuff about the legends, the heavyweights, the giants of the faith. Who knows…was that the way in ol’ Zebedee’s house? After hard days out on the water, sun burned face, calloused hands, clothes covered with fish odor. Maybe Zebedee (Thunder) was in charge of getting his boys ready for their bedtime. Could it be they wanted to hear the old stories again? Tell us one more time about Moses! Yah Dad!  Early on being placed in the river. The days of plagues and conversations with Pharaoh. Maybe Zebedee would mix in the day Moses walked up the mountain.  The people didn’t know how long it would take and Moses didn’t know how long it would take up on the mountain either. Maybe Zebedee would fill in the blanks about what Moses might’ve thought wandering up the mountain alone. Not really alone of course, God was there. Maybe Zebedee told James and John about carrying the holy things of God and the traveling sanctuary, the place of the tabernacle. They lugged that all over the place. When they got their fill of manna and deconstruction and reconstruction.

Maybe one of those boys would say, tell us about Elijah. Yah Dad. Dad would know they wanted to hear about the chariot of fire, and the oil that never ran out or in that same house, Elijah raised the dead. Maybe he’d mix in a time when Elijah was a broken man. Frustrated with ministry, frustrated with the world and he went up the mountain all alone. An angel told him to, and fed him with miraculous food and then fire and sound and earth shaking but still Elijah felt he was the only one left doing the work of God, doing the things of God. But after the still small voice, Elijah is reminded that he is not alone and he is send back to work and preach.

As you know, some say the best moments of their lives are ‘mountain top’ experiences. In part, because of where God met people back in the Old Testament. No doubt, Moses and Elijah were stirred but do not let the altitude fool you. Sure, Moses might’ve walked up there triumphant because of what happened at the Red Sea. But Elijah? Elijah, walks up with a heart and spirit so low that sometimes mountain top experiences find us when we are in a dark valley. Which might seem off to us. But that’s when the voice of God is heard most clearly by us. Maybe Zebedee, Thunder man, would lower his voice or whispered or noted they were asleep, “have no fear my sons, God will keep you through the night.”

Of course we know, James and John would walk away from the family business that their father prepared for them. How’d Zebedee respond to that? We don’t know, but Jesus walks by and says, “follow me” and they do. Parents kinda know when the family business isn’t gonna work out as they have planned. Maybe they prepped him for that day. Maybe they told him about Jesus, and the time would come to go with Him. Who knows? But parents kinda know when it’s time for kids to fly the coop. To put them in the Lord’s hands.

I wonder on a day like this Transfiguration, as they walked up the mountain following Jesus, remembering the stories and that they too would soon be remembered as they would soon meet God up on a mountain for their own “mountain top” experience. Moses and Elijah too.

It wasn’t unusual for Jesus to take His disciples with Him. The next part was not. For suddenly, James and John (and Peter) see as Jesus is transfigured, He is aglow, radiant. Suddenly, from the past are these two they had heard so much about, Moses and Elijah with Jesus. Some people in shock can’t speak as is the case with James and John. Peter is different of course. He can and does. He formulates a plan, let’s stay I’ll take care of the tents. Suddenly a cloud. The cloud is bright, light and bright. You noticed on which mountain and which day, the voice is clear. God exhorted Moses, God challenged Elijah. With both God sent. The voice comes again, when they hear it they fall to the ground, the voice of God is still there, still to be heard. What the Father said is what we first heard at Jesus baptism, “This is my son, I love Him, I am pleased with Him.” What is added is for James and John and for Peter and for us to hear, the Father says about Jesus “Listen to Him.” Of course, we should.

This beautiful message as soon as we are told to listen to Jesus, Moses and Elijah are gone and the first thing that Jesus says after we are to listen to Him is, “have no fear.” And I wonder if we might do well to tell stories to our children certainly but also to ourselves.

Lives well lived are not always fun or easy. But lives lived in faith find the voice of God speaking to them both on good days and on bad days. Before Jesus speaks about where He is going, He says “do not be afraid.”  Life isn’t all still waters and green pastures. We can know in the valleys and shadows those are up ahead. If life has paralyzed you, hear Jesus, He says “Rise, have no fear.” Not because nothing scary is coming but because Jesus will be with us.

All the heroes of the faith point one place. That’s right, they all point us to Jesus to the cross and empty tomb. Moses and Elijah were talking to Jesus about His departure. His exodus. His work He came to do.  Transfiguration brings us to Lent. Listen to Him, He has a word for you. Walk with Him toward the cross. Walk with Him toward forgiveness. Keep walking with Him toward Easter and life. Life that we know now dimly, as if in clouds but we will fully know one day. If maybe you are facing a dark time remember the bright cloud. If you are scared of what’s ahead, know that Jesus is near and close to you as He is all of His disciples. Not just on lofty peaks but low parts of life too. Or maybe you are scared. If that is so, then hear the voice of the Father telling you to listen to the Son. Kneel at the cross, and hear Jesus say to you rise and have no fear. I am with you as you go down the mountain, as you read My holy word, I am with you as you gather with others in My name. I am with you in good times and bad. I will always be with you. May He be with you until we can say on Easter Alleluia, He is Risen, He is Risen indeed. Alleluia.  Amen