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The Transfiguration of Our Lord
01/29/12
LSB Hymns 789, 414, 395, 631, & 873
Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Peter 1:16-21, & St. Matthew 17:1-9
Grace, Mercy, and Peace to you from God the Father and Christ Jesus the Lord. Amen.
The sermon text is the Gospel appointed, the Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 17th chapter, with particular focus on these words:
And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here.”
The text in part, please be seated.
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.”
Three of the disciples are taken, nine are not. These three are to be the eye witnesses of this the final Epiphany of the season. A faithful preacher from this very pulpit called this mountain “Transfiguration mountain,” and so it is.
Jesus and His three disciples are on this mountain top. But wait, there are two more. Faithful preachers from times of old, old prophets these preachers.
Moses looks stern with his two tablets of God's Law, and Elijah looks unbending with his teachings of repentance and keeping God's commandments.
No wonder St. Peter seems somewhat awe struck. But nevertheless he gets something right for he says, “Lord, it is good that we are here.”
It is good to be on Transfiguration mountain, however the three disciples didn't fully understand it then, and I daresay you and I don't fully understand it either. But there are some important things to take with you from this mountain, and this morning you shall hear of them.
Books on the Church year and the propers of the services will tell you the Collect for today is one of the youngest and longest of the whole Church year. And it does in its construction, moreover, outline that which Mother Church would teach her children this morning and so you look to the Collect.
You and I want to know what there is to be gleamed from Transfiguration mountain. For that purpose the three points of the Collect for the day seem quite useful. These points, quoting the Collect, are:
- “In the glorious transfiguration of Your beloved Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah.”
- “In the voice that came from the bright cloud You wonderfully fore showed our adoption by grace.”
- “Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King in His glory and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven.”
With this is mind we examine each of the three parts of the Church's Collect for the Festival of the Transfiguration of Our Lord.
1.
“In the glorious transfiguration of Your beloved Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah.”
Christ's transfiguration does confirm the faith of the Church through the testimony of these fathers. Moses and Elijah are there on top of this mountain speaking with Christ, according to St. Luke, about His departure, His Exodus.
These prophets and others called by God like them have prophesied of the coming Messiah, and His atonement for the forgiveness of sins. And now that the Messiah is finally here He and these two faithful prophets, speak of the coming events.
For in Christ's departure mankind's rescue is fulfilled. Christ's life, suffering, and death pays for the sins of all men.
Even as the fathers were given to foretell of the Savior to come, so here finally is the fruition of God's deliverance of His people almost realized. Soon, Christ is to ride into Jerusalem and the count down then begins.
In John's revelation he records that all the hosts of heaven sing,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”Amen. (Re 5:12-13).
After Christ's work the hosts of heaven continually sing praises to the Lamb that was slain for the sins of the world. In the old Testament the prophets pointed always and only to the promised Messiah.
Now that He is come, and about to journey to the cross, what else would these two prophets speak about with their Lord, but the redemption of the world.
Oh yes Peter, it is good that we are here!
2.
“In the voice that came from the bright cloud You wonderfully fore showed our adoption by grace.”
On that mountain a voice speaks: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”That same Word was spoken by the same Father at Jesus' baptism. A baptism the disciples by now had all been baptized into, even as you also are baptized into Christ's baptism.
Baptism places you into Christ, and therefore into the Father's pleasure. Knowing that, the disciples and you are told that even as Christ's body is glorified, so also will your bodies by raised up with Christ.
For whatever happens to Christ, in whom the Father is well pleased, will also happen to those placed in Christ. The Voice verifies the Father's pleasure on Transfiguration mountain, and it verifies your security in Christ, you are adopted by God the Father as His baptized children.
“In the voice that came from the bright cloud You wonderfully fore showed our adoption by grace.” And then the Voice added one thing more on that mountain top, “listen to Him.”
And in that glorious confirmation of the Son, the vehicle of your adoption is pin pointed – it is Christ, through His Word – the Word and water of Baptism, the Word of Absolution, the Word of preaching teaching, and the Word in and with the Holy Communion.
Your adoption is only by grace through God-given faith in Christ alone, through His Word alone. No other name is given under heaven whereby you must be saved.
You the adopted children of God surely sing out with Peter, “Lord, it is good that we are here.”
Finally you come to the last point of the Transfiguration Collect.
3.
“Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King in His glory and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven.”
And that point is this, that you, having fallen to the ground just like the disciples, in recognition of your total unworthiness apart from Christ, earnestly pray that the Holy Ghost works without ceasing to gather you safely to that heavenly home as coheirs with Christ. You yearn to hear the Words of Christ, “Rise, and have no fear.”
They are wonderful words to hear!
But there are other words, Holy Words to be heard, for Moses' and Elijah's words are still with you.
Moses still says, Thou shalt and Thou shalt not. You still break them all, these commandments.
Elijah still urges repentance, and to obey the Father.
Sadly, you still often find unrepentance in your heart with no better luck obeying Elijah's word then Moses'. What can you do? What can you do? What else is there to do, but to fall to the ground with Peter, James, and John, before Holy God.
Dear Zion and dear friends, you aren't left on the ground, just as the disciples weren't left there either. Jesus comes and touches you and says, “Rise, and have no fear.”
Frightened Peter is surely lead up from his fear back to peace with God. And in this word from Jesus Peter is glad once more to be there with Him.
But Peter, James, and John are not the only ones to hear such sweet words from Jesus, “Rise, and have no fear.” You get to hear these words, or their equvilent all the time here at Zion, your Transfiguration mountain.
What!? You don't remember hearing that! Well let's just see.
Earlier in the service after you confessed your sins, your sins were forgiven by Christ's minister. If you come to the rail with your confession of sins, a hand would have been laid on your head. But even without the touch, your sins are forgiven you. Even if you aren't kneeling, you are given to rise and have no fear.
Christ speaks His forgiveness even now and tells you, be not afraid, Peace be unto you. And in believing you rise, forgiven. See how good it is to be here.
The Gospel reading, and the sermon, both, start with this word: “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.”
Jesus had been teaching, and after six days Jesus takes His disciples to this mountain for them to witness, and to be taught. So it is with you for Sunday after Sunday and after six more days to pass comes another Sunday. The Holy Ghost at Christ's sending gathers you here week after week, and soon in Lent, midweek after midweek.
In our weakness we really don't understand what happens here at Mt. Zion, our Transfiguration mountain. By Word and Sacrament you and I are transfigured from dead to alive even as here at this altar just bread and wine are transfigured through the Word to Christ's body and blood, with the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of all your sins.
We don't fully understand how marvelous this is, or nothing would keep us from coming here every time Zion gathers. Here is where Christ speaks and feeds you His forgiveness. Knowing that Christ is here, why would you even want to be somewhere else!?
Certainly Moses and Elijah speak stern Law words to us. And by their words, God's Word, you and I are shown our weakness, helplessness, sinfulness. Yet the Father gives us to listen to the Son.
Despite your weaknesses, or just maybe because of them, the Holy Ghost does gather you here to receive Christ's Word, a Word proclaimed, a Word heard by you, and with it, and through it, Christ does forgive you.
Come to Zion, your transfiguration mountain. Come to hear Christ. Come to listen to Him alone. Come to rejoice! “It is good that we are here.”
Because, you who are born dead in your trespasses, are transfigured into the Baptized of Christ Jesus.
We pray,
O God, in the glorious transfiguration of Your beloved Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah. In the voice that came from the bright cloud You wonderfully fore showed our adoption by grace. Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King in His glory and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Little Zion and friends, it is good that we are here, for here, you are forgiven, you are saved, and you have already begun to live forever (point to the fount). For Jesus' most holy Passion's sake. Amen.
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Please stand.
The Peace of God which passeth all understanding keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.
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