Busy Work On The Mountain Top

Mark 9:2-13
The story of the Transfiguration of Jesus as recounted in Mark’s gospel gives us quit a bit to ponder. There is the lofty yet lonely location in which the events take place and the isolation of the characters involved who are eventually even shrouded by clouds. The setting of this event seems very intentional and important. There are also the various voices that speak in the passage, actually or by inference. Jesus, God, Peter, Moses, and Elijah are each quoted to the reader or are seen by others to be speaking. Words obviously play a major role in this story which is appropriate as Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh. But today I’m struck by this section of the text: “And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 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” (Mark 9:4-6). All that Peter could think about at the appearance of Moses and Elijah was a building project of sorts, essentially busy work.

Peter’s fear is understandable, but there was really no reason for the three disciples to build tents or booths for Jesus and the other. In fact, Peter’s offer reminds me of the old cliché of sending someone to boil water just as a women goes into labor. It’s the sort of thing you send someone to do so that they will be out of the way. But Peter’s offer also raises an interesting question for us to consider. Are there times when our involvement in the life and work of the church amounts to no more than “busy work,” meaningless actions carried out for no real purpose? How often do we offer to build booths when we should pay attention to what is going on, to events we’ve been blessed to witness, opportunities we’ve been given to see the word of God unfolding in our midst? Are there times when we would rather tend to the day to day stuff of organization or institution when what we should be doing is touching lives by sharing ourselves? I know how easy it is to let myself get lost behind a pile of work. I also know how easy it is to miss out on real opportunities to minister.

Peter was frightened, and there is much to frighten us today as well. Peter wanted to do something – anything – rather than absorb what he was seeing. Finally the voice of God called him and the others back to the need to listen and to be involved in what Jesus was saying and doing. Day to day the voice of God calls us as well. Our response must be to stop with the busy work, and to get busy doing the real work of the coming reign.

Prayer: Lord God, guide us in our living that we may set aside that which would distract us from your will. Help us instead to serve you and to respond to your call in all we do. In Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.

Supposed To Be Dead

Acts 14:19-28

For a guy who was supposed to be deceased Paul sure did get around. “But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. Then they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the city. The next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe” (Acts 14:19-20). Left for dead by an angry mob on one day, the apostle was on the road the next headed to another town.

But what if Paul had died? Paul was an important part of the early church, of its efforts at evangelizing the world. Would Paul’s death have ended the story? For me the answer comes in the fact that, as he lay on the ground outside the city, Paul was surrounded by disciples. The symbolism of this act is significant. In times of need the community of faith has worked best when it has pulled together and trusted the Holy Spirit to lead on. This time Paul got up but if he hadn’t someone else would have risen to the occasion, someone else would have felt the hand of God leading him or her to do Paul’s work. Look at the times when God has provided or leaders and prophets and apostles to do works of faith. Moses was a runaway sent home to lead his people. Amos was a farmer pressed into service as a prophet. David was a lad who defeated a giant and later became a king. Simon, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen who became disciples. Levi left his tax booth for the same reason. Paul himself had been a dangerous enemy of the faith but was called to take his place in the service of Jesus Christ. Would someone have stepped forward had Paul died that day? Absolutely.

For these reasons and more we should never despair, should never give up hope that God is at work in our world. The landscape of faith may change from generation to generation, death will claim leaders of the church, but as long as God remains at work there will be saints given the opportunity to serve in new ways. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: God of all time and space, we thank you for your gift of leadership that has allowed the community of faith to move ahead, even in its darkest hours. May we find our roles to play as we live our lives dedicated to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.