+ Transfiguration of Our Lord - February 26, 2020 +
Series A: Exodus 24:8-18; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9
Beautiful Savior Lutheran
Milton, WA
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
We know Christmas is about Jesus’ birth for us. We know Holy Week is about Jesus’ suffering and death for us. We know that Easter is about Jesus’ resurrection for us. But what’s the transfiguration all about? Take a moment and ponder that.
Now this is going to sound rather obvious, but the Transfiguration is all about Jesus. Matthew’s account of the transfiguration, like the Exodus reading and 2 Peter reading today, and every other Scripture are all, in some way or another, about Jesus.
And if it’s about Jesus, it’s always good a follow-up question. What does this tell us about Jesus?
The transfiguration tells us a lot about Jesus: who he is and what he came to do on our behalf. Jesus’ transfiguration reveals that he is the Son of God, the Father’s chosen one. And how he is also the very glory of YHWH in human flesh.
Jesus’ transfiguration reveals that he is also the completion and the final revelation of God’s Word; all the Law and the Prophets are fulfilled in him; all God’s promises are kept in him. That’s why Moses and Elijah are there.
Jesus’ transfiguration reveals to his disciples, to the world, and to us, that if we want to know what God thinks or says or how he sees us, all we need is found in Jesus. All we need is his word.
The glory of Jesus reveals in his transfiguration also leads us on to Jerusalem and his great glory revealed in his death on the cross for us.
So as we meditate upon our Lord’s words and his transfiguration today, keep that obvious, yet important question before you: what does the transfiguration tell us about Jesus?
Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
As the narrative unfolds, Matthew takes us back in time to Exodus and Mt. Sinai, to YHWH’s giving of the Law and his covenant with Israel. That too, you recall, happened on a mountain top. YHWH’s glory and radiance thundered from Sinai. Israel was afraid and trembled. Moses saw the backside of YHWH’s glory from his hiding place in the rock.
Here, on another mountain top, the glory of YHWH is revealed in the God-man Jesus. And yet, his disciples live. Peter, James, and John behold Jesus’ glory and live. For He is on this mountain not to thunder with commands or condemnation, but to reveal that he is the true Son of God come to do for Israel and for you and for me, what we are unable and incapable of doing.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Matthew takes us deeper into the Old Testament. While Jesus reveals his glory, Moses and Elijah appear and with them the whole Old Testament. The Law of Moses and all the prophets are there standing before the very one who fulfills their words.
The same Lord who appeared to Moses in the burning bush, who rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt, who led Israel through the Red Sea and wilderness, who poured out the blood of the covenant for the people now stands before Moses and the disciples - the very glory of God in our own flesh and blood come to bring us at last to his eternal promised land.
The same Lord who delivered his word to Elijah, who defeated the prophets of Baal in fire and sacrifice, who took Elijah into heaven, now stands before him as the final deliverance of God’s word, as the sacrifice who will defeat our enemies in a baptism of fire and death on the cross, and who will take us to heaven by being brought down into the grave.
It’s understandable why Peter wanted to hold onto that glorious moment, at least for a little while longer. For us who live in a world of pain and suffering, a world where our own sin weighs us down and wears us down daily, a world where death and misery so often seem to triumph, it’s not hard to imagine why Peter might want to hold onto that glory, stay there on the mountain.
But this is not the mountain where Jesus would have us stay, not yet at least. First there is another mountain. That’s why Jesus reminds his disciples at the end, not to talk about his transfiguration until after his death and resurrection. Only after his death and resurrection will his transfiguration finally make sense. And so, the Father graciously interrupts Peter.
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
As he did at Jesus’ Baptism, God the Father speaks. “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
If we want to know what God the Father thinks, we need look no further than Jesus. I’m sure we’ve all felt the way the disciples did. Afraid. Trembling in the presence of God fully aware of our sin, knowing our only hope is in Jesus. And yet, the Father reminds us. “Listen to Him. Hear him. This is my beloved Son, given for you. He speaks my word for his the very Word made flesh. And His word does what he says and promises. His Word is your life. His word is your lamp and light. His word reveals his great love for you.
“Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
Isn’t that a wonderful phrase. Jesus only. Jesus alone. But not alone in this way; he is transfigured and crucified and risen for you. That you may be his own.
You see, the transfiguration is all about Jesus. Jesus is all we need. Jesus reveals himself as the Son of God who is with you and for you. He is the Son of God who speaks to you in his Word; who is present with you and for you in his Supper. He is the Son of God who bears all our pain, sorrow, suffering, our sin, temptation and death, and give us a glory that far surpasses even his transfiguration, the glory of his death for you, his rising for you.
A blessed Sunday of the Transfiguration to each of you…
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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