There is a widely recognized and elevated degree of politicization in our society that manifests itself in almost every facet of life.  For a long time, the place one chose to live, the type of automobile one drove, and one’s dietary choices were common ways to express one’s political inclinations.  The display of political opinions using objects and activities that are essentially non-political, however, has grown significantly in recent months and years.  I was surprised to learn recently that certain styles of clothing are associated directly with one’s political affiliations.  Perhaps I’ll need to review my wardrobe choices. 

This trend of politicization is relatively recent in our culture, but it is not new.  In Jesus’ culture, every word and action had political ramifications, and those ramifications occurred on two distinct social levels. 

On the local level of political meaning, Jesus’ ministry of preaching and miracle-working was problematic for his family.  It was the expectation at the time that when a male reached the age of majority, he would take up his father’s trade or profession.  Jesus’ family was deeply embarrassed when he did not take up Joseph’s trade.  The Gospels of Matthew and Luke take note of the family’s worry that Jesus might bring shame on them; Mark’s Gospel admits openly that his family thought he had lost his mind. (Mk 3:21) 

On the wider national level of politics, everyone’s behavior was a statement about political allegiances.  The Sadducees made great efforts to cooperate with the Roman Imperial government.  The Pharisees despised the Romans and made no attempt to conceal their contempt.  Herod coveted his role as a vassal king of Roman power.  Every religious reformer, including Jesus, had a publicly stated perspective on the Roman Empire and its occupation of Judea. 

The Transfiguration of Jesus, described in today’s Gospel reading, would have had great political significance.  This vision, shared by Jesus and three of his disciples, would have been a clear statement about Jesus’ commitment to restoring a theocracy in Judea.  Jesus’ injunction, “Do not tell the vision to anyone” was an attempt to prevent the disciples from misunderstanding the nature of his political views. (Mt 17:9) 

His political opinions were, of course, misunderstood and misinterpreted by his enemies; the result of that misunderstanding was his execution as a seditionist. (Mt 27:37)   

All of Jesus’ statements and actions had political overtones.  This is not a widely recognized aspect of Jesus’ life, and many who do recognize it choose to misunderstand the nature of his political message.  It is a crucial aspect of Jesus’ ministry, however, and understanding the political message of his preaching and miracles is essential to understanding Jesus. 

The story of the Transfiguration provides a direct reference to Jesus’ political commitments, but the full explanation of those commitments is found only by reading the Gospel in its entirety.  The clues to Jesus’ politics in today’s reading are the statement that Jesus is the “beloved son” of God and the warning that this statement can be understood only from the perspective of the resurrection. (Mt 17:5,9)   

The full exposition of Jesus’ political perspective is that faith in God is a public and political act, but it is an act solely and specifically of forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace.  This sort of faith in God’s mercy and providence requires one to trust in God in the way that God trusted in Jesus and Jesus trusted the Father.  Jesus’ political commitment was to forgive enemies, pray for persecutors, and return good for evil. (Mt 5:38-48)  This was Jesus’ perspective on how to deal with Roman oppression: forgive.

Quite obviously, this political perspective is deeply unpopular in our society.  The more popular political commitments are to do the things that Jesus instructed his disciples to avoid at all costs, namely, anger, hatred, vengeance, and violence.  The event of the Transfiguration does more than give us insight into Jesus’ person and commitments; it provides motivation for us to follow his teachings, as well. 

Everyone harbors secret dreams of glory.  If you watched any of the Olympic competitions, you could not help but imagine yourself on the podium receiving a gold medal along with the other Olympians.  Faithfulness to God offers the promise of glory, although it isn’t the sort of glory offered by the world.  Those who practice Jesus’ politics of forgiveness, generosity, and mercy are guaranteed the glory of being known as God’s children.  This glory lasts forever, and it is the only thing worth clinging to in this world.