The Transfiguration of our Lord - January 29, 2012

The Church Season of Epiphany,
The Transfiguration of Our Lord,
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (January 29, 2012)

Readings:

Psalm 2
Exodus 34:29-35
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9

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Grace, mercy and peace be to you from the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen

The text for today is as recorded in the Gospel Lesson from the 17th chapter of St. Matthew, especially the following verses.

Matthew 17:1-9 (NIV)

1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There [Jesus] was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While [Peter] was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

    In the Gospel of Matthew God text tells us that Jesus, Peter, James, and John went up onto a high mountain.  And in verse two, we are told of Jesus’ Transfiguration, His face was shining like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light.  Even more interesting here in the beginning words of verse two in Greek, καὶ μετεμορφώθη ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν, He, that is Jesus, underwent metamorphosis, and that word is the combination of two words literally meaning changing form.  Or in our English translation it says transfigured.  When most of us think of metamorphosis, we think back to the school days of our youth and all the examples that we were taught.  The transfiguration of Christ is much more than some school day experiment, it doesn’t happen over weeks or months, it is not hidden inside a little cocoon where one can see what’s going on.  No, this Transfiguration, happened right before the eyes of three witnesses while they gazed upon the glory of God shining from Christ’s face and clothing.  This is most certainly a miracle and it is indeed a glimpse of heaven.

    On that day God used the light that reflected from Jesus’ garment to proclaim the Deity of Christ to the disciples.  The disciples had followed Jesus around the countryside listening to Jesus preach, teach, bring and encourage faith to the most common of people, the most unlikely people of the world. 

    So there stood Peter, James and John, before Christ whose clothes became impossibly white. And if that wasn’t enough, Elijah and Moses arrived to speak with Jesus.  And then, “a bright cloud enveloped them.”(v. 5)  And almost immediately the whole event was over, the dazzlingly white clothes were gone, Elijah and Moses gone too.  In a flash it was all over, it was but a glimpse, but their eyes were still burning with the blue spots from the bright light and the voice ringing in their ears, it was there and then it was over.  I’m sure James and John didn’t want that time to end, they didn’t say that, but Peter certainly did.  He wanted to capture that glimpse of glory and hold on to it.

    We all have moments like that where we are so caught up in the moment, so full of joy and  happiness that we wish the moment would never end.  It may have been a dance, a first kiss, a sports accomplishment.  Or maybe even it was a special service at church which you enjoyed, a wedding, a baptism, or even the Word of God proclaimed on some special day.  And if you were to close your eyes right now you could probably remember that moment, maybe not all the words, or the names of all the people who were there, maybe not even what year it was, but you can remember it.  Wouldn’t it be great if every day, every church service, every person could be as happy as you perceived you were on that one day.  Wouldn’t it be nice if you could feel that way every single day.  But you either open your eyes, or you receive an elbow to your rib, you awakened and are ushered back to reality.

    It would seem Peter, James, and John’s eyes were opened too.  What a sight, and to think of it, it was probably a scary sight too.  Like when you wake up and see the pastor staring right at you.  The apostles had been startled by an extraordinary light.  It was the light of Christ and a glimpse of the glory of God.  We can only wonder if they knew what it all meant.  The Light of Christ had shined in to their darkened world, who would ever want that moment to end.  What a vision of radiance.

    In the Old Testament Daniel had a vision of radiance, and he said, “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool;”(Dan. 7:9)  It was glimpse into the future for Daniel, though he would not see the Messiah in his earthly life, Daniel certainly did see the Messiah upon His seat of righteousness in heaven. 

    But where is that glimpse for you and me?  "The most common glimpse we refer to is that one in the past.  Man how good was it then, perfect job, perfect life, no troubles, no health problems, and then somehow we think life must have caught up with us somehow.  And in those thoughts we become like the apostles on that day of Transfiguration, we miss the big picture because we’re so wrapped up in ourselves, that our minds wander from the knowledge of Christ to that which attacks us in our lives." (Pepperkorn) We’re so wound up in our own daily wrestling with things, we forget to ask how the other person is doing.  We think that they certainly can’t have it as bad as me, why don’t they realize how bad I have it?  Why aren’t they listening to me?  And sometimes you hear somehow that they have it worse than you and you feel embarrassed that you never asked the question, “How are YOU doing.” You see, we all do have it bad.  We are all sinners and we are all attacked by the devil in different ways.  Some people get angry, some people lie or cheat, others steal, or lust, or some are driven to despair because of sickness, disease, or maybe the loss of a loved one.  In our sin in which we commit by what we have done, and the sin we commit by we have left undone, we bury ourselves in darkness, all hope is lost, abandon ship or rather how can I abandon this life. 

    Peter, James, and John saw the light of the world before them and was it beyond their imagination.  A glimpse of Christ in the radiance that would be fully seen in their future.  That glimpse of Jesus was not just for them, it is for you too.  Do not cast your eyes down in despair with what you have done or by what life has done to you. 

The love of Christ in His glory draws your eyes to Him, to the heavenly heights.  Jesus speaks to you and He touches you.  And whether or not you choose to look, Jesus is here for you.  He not only went up upon a mountain and revealed His glory to three apostles, He reveals His glory to you too.  Jesus takes your sin to the high mountain of Golgotha and there He dies for you.  In all that challenges you in your life, know that Christ has died for you.  Jesus points you to His body and His blood, and to your Baptism where you are transfigured from one who is dead in sin. Jesus gives you His shining white robe not just for a glimpse, but forever.  That is the promise that you are given in Christ.

    Jesus gave you that promise, it is all that you need.  And though good works do not gain your salvation, much is required of you.  Have mercy on your fellow man.  Ask them how they are doing, bring comfort to them, share with them.  When one is weak, the other may help.  If you never ask, you will never find out how they are doing.  If you never offer help, maybe help will be will not come so fast for you.  But do not do any act of mercy expecting a reward,  if you do acts of charity do them with the knowledge of what Jesus Christ has already done for you.

    When you have fallen down, when you can no longer bear to look at Christ, when you are afraid beyond measure, know that Jesus Christ cares for you His glory shines before your face. Today you will have a glimpse of that glory as Jesus Christ comes to you in the Holy Communion, in the wine and the bread, His true body and blood.  Today Jesus touches you when the bread touches your tongue.  Today Jesus cares for you as the wine touches your lips.  And when you approach your last days, whether in sickness or health, whether surrounded by family or friends, or even if you’re all alone and life seems like a glimpse in the past do not be scared or frightened.  Rather remember in faith, you are baptized, you are a child of God, you are transformed by Jesus Christ.  And at your last breath, Jesus comes and touches You and “He speaks, “Get up,” “Don’t be afraid.” And when You look up, you will see no one except Jesus.”  Jesus glorious radiance will be shining beyond human understanding, but it will not be just for a glimpse, but you will be comforted in seeing the glory of Christ in full for ever and ever.  Amen.

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