Each year we spend a Sunday on Jesus’ Transfiguration. That’s how essential it is to the Easter story (Matthew 17:1-13). It is remembered the Sunday before Lent starts. We are told that Jesus goes up to the mountain with his disciples, is ‘metamorphosised’ into blinding light before their eyes so that they see his complete glory. He consults with Moses, who represents the law, and Elijah, who represents the prophets. God the Father speaks from the heaven “This is my Son whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” Jesus then descends the mountain to go obediently to Jerusalem to die. From glory on the mountain to plumb the depths of human muck, evil and sin through his cruel, torturous and innocent impalement on a Roman cross. Down, Down, Down. “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen [up here on the mountain] until the Son of man is raised from the dead” That’s what Jesus tells’ his disciples (Matthew 17:9). In other words: Wait! See the cross! Understand that it is essential. There is nothing to be told without telling about the cross.  Have you forgotten about the cross? Is that central to your story? To the story you tell others about Jesus? That is his central message of the proclamation of how he saved the world. It’s nothing without it. Don’t leave his cross out of what he has done for you… don’t leave it out of your story about him to others. Yes – it’s a stumbling block to some and foolishness to others (1 Cor 1:23), but to those who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18).