2.15.2015 Transfiguration Sunday Matthew 17:1-9 Jesus is Transfigured on a Mountain
The Transfiguration
The Transfiguration was Jesus’ experience with God. Not the
first. Nor the last. It was an experience so intense that the glory of God
transfigured Him into the brightness of the sun.
Transfiguration falls on the Sunday preceding Ash Wednesday,
the first day of Lent. Preceding the Transfiguration, Jesus announced His
intention of going to Jerusalem to suffer, die and rise again. Following this,
Jesus urges His Disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow
Him.
The Transfiguration was a preparation for Jesus’ journey to
the cross. Before taking the trip to Jerusalem, Jesus had the experience of the
Transfiguration on the mountain with Peter, James and John. Jesus was planning
a trip to Jerusalem to suffer and die there as the Messiah. He needed
confirmation, assurance, and approval from the Father to take the trip. Ash
Wednesday, coming in three days, marks the beginning or your pilgrimage with
Jesus to Jerusalem.
When Jesus came down from the mountain, He set His sights on
Jerusalem. Thus, He began His trek. You too will journey with Him through the
discipline of Lent. Lent is a time of reflection, of meditation, of fasting and
soul searching, and prayer. It’s a time walk with God. But we go it not alone.
We travel with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Together we remember the
Lord Jesus in His Passion, His suffering, death and resurrection. We die to
self and rise as new and redeemed people. As we journey together may our focus
be on Christ and His victory of sin, death, and the devil; for you, for me, for
the entire world.
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 foreshowed 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 live and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever.
Sources:
[1] Schnorr
von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and
congregational use
[1]
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series A by John Brokhoff pp.84-86 © 1980 CSS
Publishing, Lima, On
[1]
Collect for Transfiguration, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing
House, St. Louis
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