![]() |
Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky’s “Needlework Classes…” |
I’m telling you about this old sight gag because it helps to illustrate how the disciples understood what it meant to follow Jesus. Getting our heads around their notion of discipleship will in turn be the key for interpreting the strange and mysterious events on Mount Tabor or what we sometimes call the Mount of the Transfiguration.
![]() |
Stanley Spencer’s “Bed Making” |
Jesus climbed Mount Tabor. Peter, James, and John followed him. Maybe they asked him where they were going. Or why they were taking what may have seemed like a detour. Jesus probably said something snappy like, “Come and see.” “Walk this way.” “Do I what I do and you’ll figure out what it’s all about later.”
![]() |
Ferdinand Hodler’s “Transfiguration” |
Among the many lessons of this odd event, one is especially crucial for us as we stand at the brink of Lent. Peter, James, and John got a glimpse of what all of this following Jesus is about. Even while they were just barely learning to walk the way of Jesus they caught sight of that way’s very essence.
![]() |
Albert Bloch’s “Procession with the Cross” |
Amen.
LikeLike
What I have found so fascinating about the “follow me” is that, in the time of Jesus, the one wanting to follow a Rabbi would go and ask permission of the Rabbi. In the case of Jesus, He went to the disciples and asked them. He went looking for students/disciples. He chose them. (Jn 15:16) Here is a short lesson from Ray Vander Laan –> http://youtu.be/ycRZh19Ya8U He says it much better.
LikeLike