The lectionary allows the
option of including the verses that describe what happens when Jesus comes down
the mountain and while it might appear to be two different stories they belong
together. The transfigured Jesus talking with the law giver and the end of all
things prophet is sent to be with and bear the faithless and perverse generation.
“How long…” is a lament not a rebuke and has more to do with Jesus than the
perverse generation for Jesus knows he will be with this perverse generation
until he bears their perversity in his own person. How do you give up glory
when you know that? You do it for a father who cries out “Teacher, I beg
you…” You do it for an only child convulsed and mauled and beaten by
a demon. You do it for well-meaning but ineffective disciples. You do it
because that is what love is. The beloved only Son is convulsed and mauled and
beaten and killed for the faithless and perverse of every generation, every
last one of us. If the disciples want to stay on the mountain and bask in the
glory how much more so Jesus who has every reason to stay and doesn’t.
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