The Pivotal Moment

Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. (Luke 9:28-36 ESV). There are always those moments in history when seen from the perspective of the passing of time that we can say it was a pivotal moment. This is true for individuals and groups. You have had those times in your life - a career move, marriage, the birth of a child, the death of a loved one, even a chance meeting – which has had a huge impact in your life. For our nation it was December 16, 1773. It was then that the Sons of Liberty organized a protest over unfair taxation and destroyed the shipments of tea in Boston Harbor. The protestors were labeled traitors and the seeds of revolution had taken root. It was indeed a pivotal moment. For every Israelite in Biblical days it was that moment in history when Moses led the people to their freedom from Egyptian slavery. There were many events that led up to that moment, but the actual moment when they crossed the Red Sea miraculously on dry land and were delivered from Pharoah once and for all was a pivotal moment. It was then that God gave them new lives unlike anything they could have hoped or dreamed about. Our reading today is such a story. It is equally significant for God’s people today because we too look back to just such a new beginning. When on the Mount of Transfiguration Jesus was revealed as he truly is, he was speaking with Moses and Elijah about his imminent death on the cross. It was no accident that he called it “his departure (literally, his exodus) which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.” Christians look back to the crucifixion as the event which rescued them from an old life and opened up a new one before them. As Jesus is the true bread and the true vine, so his death is the true exodus, ever to be recalled with thanksgiving. I can’t help but wonder if you have had such an experience personally? Has there been a time when Jesus’ death and resurrection became more than just a story to you? If not, may I encourage you to spend a moment and express your trust in that accomplished event? It will change your life. Make a pivotal moment for yourself today!