Luke 9:28-37

In 2015, the film, A Royal Night Out, was released in Australia. 

You may have seen it. 

It’s the slightly embellished version of an event, or a series of true events, that took place on ‘V.E. Day’ (Victory in Europe), May 8, 1945. 

Peace is declared across Europe and London is celebrating.

Princesses Elizabeth (19), and Margaret (14), are allowed to join the celebrations, against the Queen’s wishes. 

The King, moved by Elizabeth’s pleading, asks her to report back on the people’s feelings towards him and his midnight speech, on the radio.

Each girl, incognito, is given a chaperone (an army officer), and an itinerary that will lead them back to Buckingham Palace by 1.00am.

Things don’t go according to plan and the girls get into strife – most often in the company of dubious ‘commoners’. 

That said, the moment Elizabeth’s identity is revealed, as it is to an astonished few, – everything changes…and things are set to rights. 

For this is not simply a 19-year-old out for a good time; this is Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth of York, the Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, heir to the throne, sovereign over Great Britain and the entire Commonwealth! 

Yes, everything changes for those to whom she chooses to reveal her identity; for those who now find themselves in the presence of greatness.

Now whilst the comparison is inexact and quite flawed, it is also true that everything changes for those to whom the Son of God, the Lord Jesus, chooses to reveal himself.

The Gospel reading set down for today makes this point.

The week before this incident – known as the ‘transfiguration’, Jesus’ friend Peter correctly identified Jesus as “the Messiah, the Son of the loving God” (Luke 9:20)

That said, Peter’s ‘take’ on the ‘Messiah gig’ did not include suffering, rejection, and death – and Peter was aghast at Jesus’ plain statement that he was going to Jerusalem to be murdered (Matthew 16:22) – after which he would be raised to life (Luke 9:22).

Let’s go to the Gospel reading, then: 

Jesus takes his friends to a mountain to pray (Luke 9:28) – and it’s kind of like there’s a stage where a curtain is pulled back for them (and us) to see what is really going on behind the scenes. 

Here’s what takes place:

*Jesus’ (God-in-flesh) radiance, brilliance, holiness, righteousness, and dazzling glory is startlingly revealed to Peter, James, and John. Luke 9:29

*The theology and promises of resurrection, eternity, and life in God’s heaven, also take on vibrant and bright hues as Israel’s great patriarchs (Moses and Elijah) – long dead physically – appear before the disciples, and they are engaging in an animated and extended conversation with their Lord, Jesus – the Messiah. Luke 9:30.

*God the Father personally, powerfully, and audiblymanifests his great presence and expresses his great love for and confidence in his Son – and charges them (and us) to give him (Jesus) their undivided attention. “This is my chosen Son –, listen to him”. Luke 9:35

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And do please notice Peter’s response.

His first instinct is worship (v.33) …although erecting tents for that purpose -as was done in ancient Israel – Deuteronomy 16:16, fell short of what was appropriate.

That is remedied when God speaks…for he stresses that there and then, the most appropriate response is to listen to Jesus (9:35)

That is, total submission and deference to Jesus’ commands and priorities, is at the heart of worship.

30 or so years later – just prior to his death at the hands of Nero, Peter wrote of this moment and said, “for we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of the Lord Jesus in power, but we were eye-witness of his majesty…” 2 Peter 1:16.

Yes – for Peter, even though there were spectacular gaffs along the way, everything changed when God-in-Christ revealed his identity – or more of his true identity; the rest made sense only after his death, resurrection and ascension.

This surely then is the point:

Jesus is not simply a great teacher from antiquity or worse still, a cleverly devised story. 

No, Jesus is God-the-Son.

Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory (Hebrews 1:3).

Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). 

Hence the motivation for Peter’s actions.

He was in the presence of greatness, and he responded in worship and awe…he did indeed listen to Jesus and he gave his life to, and for, all that Jesus had said and done.

We are called to so respond.

You are called so to respond.

Yet sadly, tragically – even those connected with Christian churches, though they are in the presence of greatness, respond with contempt, disdain, and complacency.

Lord, spare us from cold hearts and indifferent spirits.

Here a final story:

The tale is told of a group of white youths tormenting a young black fellow riding on a bus in those terrible days of segregation in the southern US.

They called the man names and they pushed him, and they mocked him.

The man remained calm and quiet throughout.

As the bus approached a stop – the white youths were somewhat taken aback when the fellow rose from his seat – he was very tall, and very powerfully built; exceptionally so.

Before he alighted, the man – now towering over the feckless youths – took a little business card from his pocket, flicked it towards his tormentors and got off the bus.

The card simply read – “Joe Louis – Boxer”.

Louis – at the time – was the heavy-weight boxing champion of the world.

Those people were in the presence of greatness – but failed to recognise it; indeed, their response was one of contempt, and disdain.

My task is to urge you (and myself) – who stand in the presence of Jesus, in all his resurrection glory and greatness, to eschew (turn from) complacency, and contempt, and fall to your face in worship; to joyfully acknowledge God-in-Christ as your Lord – and like Peter – to listen carefully to all he is calling you into.

Pray.

Lord, beginning with a simple act of prayer, you revealed your great and glorious Son to Peter, John, and James.

We thank you for their response of worship; they listened, they obeyed, and they joyfully followed.

Give us a heart of prayer, give us ears to hear, and give us wills to obey.

May we, like Peter, speak credibly and enthusiastically of the transforming power, and the majestic glory of our Lord and Saviour, to all whom you are calling to yourself.

Amen.