Do you know a hairy man?

Do you know a hairy man? No, they aren’t missing as such, just could we recognise them if you saw a ‘hairy man’? This week, there is a theme linking the Hebrew Scriptures, the Gospel and the Epistle – spoiler alert – there usually is. There is a transformation between within these Scriptures – so does transformation still apply today?

Veiled

We are so used to wearing face masks these days. In shops, and in churches, we find ourselves covering our face – for a good reason – with a multitude of different designs. They protect, give us security, but in today’s Biblical context, seem to act as a barrier.

In Exodus 34:29-35 we read that Moses, who has been away for 40 days and nights – without food – and has started to wend his way down the Mountain. Who here has fasted? I recall my time in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, where the Islamic community would fast during Ramadan. In our Scripture, two others would have fasted for 40 days and nights: Elijah (1 Kings 19:8) and Jesus (Matthew 4:2). Mountains, in Biblical texts, were seen as places where we might receive divine inspiration. Matthew has Jesus up on the mountain tops at least 7 times, Luke normally keeps Jesus’ feet closer to the shoreline. Moses has returned to his people, and they can see something has happened.

Radiant or with Horns?

Like those facial cream adverts on the TV, the skin was radiant. No Oil of Olay (other products also exist) here however. I would wish to clarify one possible misinterpretation here. The Hebrew word used here for shine is very similar to the word for horned; hence, Michelangelo’s statue of Moses with horns.

Moses brings down some early beta versions of the Tablets we have grown accustomed to and use today. These tablets carried the decalogue, the Ten Commandments. But something odd is happening here: Moses wears a veil when with the people. This veil, mentioned earlier in Exodus 26:37, is very like the one that the Israelites placed before the Ark of the Covenant. The symbolism is hugely important.

The purpose of the veil was to hide or conceal, even to deny access. It was believed the teachings of the Hebrew Scriptures would remain hidden from others until someone else was able to interpret them.

Paul’s interpretation

When we turn to 2 Cor 3:12-4:2 we hear of Paul’s 4th or possibly even 5th letter to the Corinthians. The people of Corinth, drawn from a myriad of different faiths and origins, were struggling to comprehend how to be church in a place which was so vibrant – sound familiar? Paul links the veil with Jesus. Recall that at Christ’s death the veil at the Temple was torn in two. It no longer would hold back the understanding of the people to God’s word. It was a sign of liberation. Paul describes that they will see the ‘glory of the Lord’ as if reflected in a mirror, their faces being transformed. (2 Cor 3:18) If we see anything in a mirror, the image may be reversed, it isn’t the one we see with our own eyes directly. The glory of the Lord isn’t something to be seen and understood here, but in a new perspective: in the Kin_dom of God. But, it is more than that: it is striving to see what it is in the Kin_dom of God – not a poor image, but one of greater clarity.

Hairy Man

In Luke’s Gospel (Luke 9:28-36) we read that Jesus is up a mountain. Now Jesus hasn’t been on his holidays, for prior to this he has: sent out the 12 disciples, fed some 5000 people on a hillside, and predicted his death. After 8 days – significant as it replicates the his time in Holy Week before his resurrection, and is seen in the number of sides in a baptismal font – he ascends up the mountain. But he is not alone: he has Peter, James and John with him. These three have seen Jairus’ daughter raised from the dead, so their minds must have been whirring. They aren’t climbing for bag a munro, but to pray.

As Jesus is praying his appearance changes. Luke describes this as Jesus’ face “became other” – not particularly descriptive.

We might see this as our face representing our outward appearance, with the otherness becoming a glimpse of the true self.

Aichele, George., Walsh, Richard., Metamorphosis, Transfiguration and the Body,
Biblical Interpretation 19.3 (2011): 253-75 (262)

Jesus’ clothing has also become radiant white: Daz-zling perhaps… Perhaps the two men in dazzling clothes at the tomb knew of this as well.

Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus – why?

Within Jewish Scriptures, there is the Torah, The Prophets and the Writings. Moses may represent the Torah, with Elijah the Prophets. But more convincingly, these two are ones who have died but their bodies were never found.

In Deut 34:6, Moses “was buried.. but no one knows of this burial place to this day”. Elijah left the Earth in a whirlwind and a fiery chariot (2 Kings 2:11). Jesus’ body will soon not be present at the tomb and then ascend to Heaven. It’s fitting that these 3 should be seen together.

The disciples are heavy with sleep. They appear not to see Jesus directly. Only 4 people went up the mountain, but now there are 6! How do the disciples know that this is Moses and Elijah? One is wearing a veil, and the other is a hairy man with a leather belt (2 Kings 1:8). Soon, a cloud overshadows them.

It’s becoming a bit of a mystery now. God has arrived in the way of a cloud, as in the Hebrew Scriptures, but also so that Moses and Elijah are not then found by the disciples. Peter wants to build 3 shelters – do you know, I think I might have said something crazy at that time as well, given what I am seeing. Gods speaks to them all, just as in Jesus’ baptism : “Listen to him” albeit Jesus doesn’t speak.

What does this all mean?

We may have become accustomed to what has become the normal. The disciples were never afforded such. luxury – for them normality meant change. We might want to ask whether we seek to be transformed and, if so, into what? Are we seeking a way forward with God, into discipleship, prayer?

1. Jesus chose to go up the mountain to grow in that divine relationship. Prayer may sound a tadge boring: we speak, we finish. But Jesus took prayer onto a far greater height. He stayed with God, sat with God: just like when two friends might know what the other might be thinking, feeling – here Jesus strove for that.

2. For those watching Moses, Elijah and Jesus, Peter saw the need for a place of rest, stability. But there’s no time for a shrine, a tradition – when people are seeking something anew. That stability which we seek may fit into our dreams for the present but not for those outside. Transformation is the Circuit’s key phrase – is that what we want?

3. Disciples just didn’t get it, in fact they struggled to even get it after the resurrection – do we? What’s the rush? Jesus is here speaking of his exodus, his journey onwards to Jerusalem. Perhaps as we look at our churches there is also an immediacy. To be in a close relationship with God is our starter but then where is that going to lead us?

Can you see that I am asking questions of us? Why? 😉 Because we need to start with God, to find out where God is moving, and then join in. Don’t expect to be up a mountain for the rest of our lives – God’s got plans.