Matthew 17:1-9
Listen to Sermon
Pastor Tom Johnson, February 23, 2020
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| "Transfiguration" by Carl Bloch (1834-1890) |
Our reading from Peter’s letter is his own personal account of the Transfiguration—how he was an eyewitness of Jesus’ majesty. Jesus leads Peter, James, and John high up on a mountain. His appearance changes. He no longer appears merely human. He shows the blinding light and radiance of his divine nature. It is as if the mask of humanity comes off—just for a few moments—so that these few disciples can see the full truth and splendor of his identity. This majestic event does not just come through the eye but also through the ear. God the Father says, “This is my Son, my Beloved with whom I am well pleased.” Peter says, “I saw it with my own eyes. I heard it with my own ears. This is a vision that I was given,” he says. “It cannot be taken away from me. But it can and must be shared.”
What I so appreciate about Peter is that he does not talk about his experience in a braggadocios way or to elevate himself. Or to say, “Look at how special I am.” He shares his story to encourage us to also become eyewitnesses of Christ’s majesty. Peter’s strategy is to convince us to first say that he did not make this stuff up. “I did not follow cleverly devised myths,” he says. Peter is not merely a creative teller of tall tales—a spinner of yarn. His message is not man-made religion. It is a divine revelation that Peter was blessed with. And now he wants to bless others.
A long time ago, I was an exchange student in Barcelona, Spain. One of my classmates asked me where I was from. He then complained: “Why does everything I buy say ‘Made in USA?’” I was surprised. I heard complaints growing up about how many things were made in Japan just was you will hear complaints today about how many things are made in China. If you turn the Christian faith over, it does not say made in the USA, Spain, or China. You could argue, “Made in Ancient Israel” or “Made in Jerusalem.” But Peter’s account gives us God the Father’s authentication: he is not made or created at all. He is eternally begotten of the Father—the eternal Son of Majesty and Glory.
There are so many cleverly devised human philosophies. There are so many myths that can inspire. But we should not be duped by things made by the intellectual prowess of human beings—no matter how impressive. What sets our faith apart it is that it is rooted in history. And, even more than that, rooted in timeless eternity. At one point in time and space Peter was on the mountain. He experienced for himself the blinding and deafening truth about Jesus. The transfiguration reminds us that Jesus Christ is uncreated, eternal. all-powerful, all-knowing. He is the Lord of Glory, the God of Majesty, the divine veiled in humanity. He is the bright, incarnate morning star (Rev 22:16). He is Alpha and Omega. His light and life have no beginning and will have no end. Peter takes from his own treasured experience on that Holy Mountain to enrich all of our lives. He says, “You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”
This is a great vision of the journey of Lent to Easter. We bury our alleluias. We go through the wilderness and the dark valleys of our struggle with sin—just as Jesus was tempted in all things yet without sin. The light guides us through the betrayal, arrest, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus. We know that our alleluias will return. He will triumph over the deep darkness of our sin, evil, and death itself. Those who dwell in the shadow of death will see a great light! On the third day, early that Sunday morning the bright morning star will rise out of the black horizon. The twilight comes. And then the dawn of a new day—the day Jesus will make all things new.
But we do not need to wait until that day for the day to dawn and for Christ the Morning Star to rise in our hearts. Peter says that happens now. We are a people whose hearts are filled with the majesty and glory of the risen Christ! He was transfigured for the apostles Peter, James and John in the company of the great prophets Moses and Elijah. That was not the end of Christ’s audience of his majesty and glory. That was just the beginning. Now by that same Word and Holy Spirit—by that same Christ—we too are now eyewitnesses of his majesty. We have also seen his glory. What was for Peter and for us is a personal experience is now a universal encouragement. We can now encourage others to cultivate the light of Christ in their own hearts. “You will do well to be attentive to this,” Peter says. You will be blessed to seek your own revelation of the power and Sonship of Jesus. Our lives have also been transformed by the glory of Jesus. We are filled with the light of his forgiveness. We have a foretaste of our heavenly glory. And one day, we too will radiate Christ’s majesty more brightly than the midday sun.
And faithful hearts are raised on high
by this great vision’s majesty
For which in joyful strains we raise
The voice of prayer, the hymn of praise
(“O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair,” LSB 413, v. 4)
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