The Gospel's Intermission

February 9, 2010

Dear St. Paul’s Family,

Long before the days of three-hour epics such as Titanic and The Lord of the Rings, classic films had built-in intermissions. Halfway into the movie, the first act would draw to a close, and theater goers could hit the snack bar, run to the bathroom, and be back in their seats without missing a single scene.

There were many reasons for this interlude. It encouraged concession sales for the theater and provided timely comfort breaks for the customers. And, since movies arrived in multiple film canisters, there was ample time to change reels.

As a result, screenwriters learned to write their stories in two distinct acts, bridged by a thrilling cliffhanger. Would the hero survive and win in the end? What would happen to the couple’s forbidden love? Will the story have a happy ending? Patrons pondered these questions while filling their popcorn buckets, eager to get back before the movie resumed.

While the gospels are a far cry from a film script, they do contain a clearly defined intermission. The stories of Peter’s confession and the transfiguration of Jesus serve as the critical hinge between the two distinct acts of Jesus’ life: 1) his birth and public ministry, and 2) his death and ascent to glory. And in bold, cinematic fashion, the drama culminates with this gripping question from Jesus:

“Who do you say that I am?”

Peter, of course, answered the question correctly. “You are the Messiah of God.” But just when we might think this to be a suitable conclusion to the story of Jesus, we discover that this is merely the end of the first act. For it is not enough to have a proper understanding of Jesus, or to simply make correct claims about him. Yes, Peter knew the right answer, but the life of a disciple is more than mere superficial knowledge. He had not yet allowed those convictions to shape his behavior, to alter his commitments, and to live a cruciform life.

His faith was still stuck in Act I.

So, Jesus introduced a cliffhanger. A powerful scene on a mountaintop, in which he radiated in dazzling white, accompanied by ancestral heroes, and heard the divine words of a proud Parent:

“This is my Son, my Chosen. Listen to him.”

We can almost hear the orchestra swelling and the curtain falling, daring us not to miss the exciting conclusion. And as we take a deep breath and digest the first half of the story, God’s message to us is quite clear. Listen to him. Stay tuned. Don’t leave the theater, get back to your seat, and stay in the story. For there is much, much more for you to see.

Transfiguration Sunday is a pivotal moment in the course of the Christian year. We officially move away from the glory of Christmas and the joy of Epiphany, moving into the sobriety of Ash Wednesday and the reverence of the Lenten season.

But more importantly, the transfiguration echoes that pivotal moment in the life of every faithful sojourner. It is that moment when we must move past an “Act I” faith and shift into “Act II.” Will we be content to have mere knowledge about Jesus, without a desire to live like Jesus? Are we well-versed in making claims about the Christ, without allowing that same Christ to shape our behavior? And will we be stuck in the comforting cradle of Christmas and Epiphany, or will we follow Jesus to the cross, and live a life of obedience and self-sacrifice?

These are vital questions for all of us to answer, so I invite you to join us this Sunday, as we observe the Transfiguration of our Lord. We’ll gather on the mountaintop, bear witness to his glory, and echo the words of his disciples: “It is good for us to be here.” Together, we’ll move from Epiphany to Lent, and turn our gaze toward the cross.

Come back for the second half of the story. It’s an ending you won’t want to miss.

Grace and Peace,

Magrey

The Rev. Magrey R. deVega
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
531 W. Main St.
Cherokee, IA 51012
Ph: 712-225-3955
http://www.cherokeespumc.org




Luke 9:18-20, 28-36
18 Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’
19 They answered, ‘John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.’
20 He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered, ‘The Messiah of God.’
28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.
29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.
30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him.
31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.
33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said.
34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud.
35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’
36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.



PANCAKE RACE DEADLINE ON FRIDAY
Be sure to sign up for the biggest thing to hit Cherokee since Pilot Rock: the Second Annual Great Cherokee Pancake Day Race. Registration costs $10, and forms are available at the church office, City Hall, the Wellness Center, KCHE, or online at www.pancakerace.com. The race is next Tuesday, February 16, with festivities beginning at 5:00pm. The Shrove Tuesday service follows, and concludes with a pancake supper. Proceeds from the day support our two local food pantries.

YOUTH OLYMPICS NIGHT
Attention, 7th – 12th Graders! Join us for the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat! Our next youth group gathering is this Sunday, from 5:00-7:00, and features a host of activities celebrating this year’s Winter Olympics. You won’t want to miss it, and bring a friend!

GIRL SCOUTS LASAGNA SUPPER
Join the Girl Scouts in the Fellowship Hall after this Sunday’s service for their annual fundraiser. No advanced tickets are necessary, and a free will offering will be received at the meal.

RENOVATION UPDATE
The Building Committee is eager to show you all of the preliminary drawings of the next renovation and get your comments. On Sunday, February 21, after the worship service, you are invited to attend a feedback session downstairs in the lounge to see all the plans. At that time, the Committee can answer any questions you might have, including timelines for the renovation and the next capital campaign.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Ahoy, mates! Energy is building for this year’s Vacation Bible School, themed “High Seas Expedition!” We are in need of several new volunteers to help with a range of fun tasks throughout the week. All VBS volunteers are invited to an initial organizational meeting on Wednesday, February 24, at 6:30. If you’re interested, contact Jill Chalstrom.