Transfiguration Sunday
3 March, 2019
Luke 9:28–36
The Glory of God Is Manifested in the Body of Christ
Lord Jesus, bless Thy Word, that we may trust in Thee!
Today
we make a transition. From the season of Epiphany to the season of Lent. In
just three days, we will assemble in this holy house; in the very room, to
begin a 40-day spiritual journey called Lent. At the Transfiguration of Jesus –
the Glory of God is Manifested in the Body of Christ. A true confession, calls
for us to say – above anything else – Jesus is the Lord of life.
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 fullness of our inheritance in heaven.
The climax of Epiphany is no
doubt the Transfiguration, while the climax of Lent is found at Mt. Calvary.
Both involve mountains. What happened on
Mt. Calvary was decided on another mountain, Mt. Hermon.
Let's consider these two
mountains, these twin towers of Jesus' life and of our lives too.
1. Consider the Place where these events occurred - mountains: Transfiguration and
Calvary - are high points of both glory and shame; triumph and disaster. Both
were the lot of Jesus. Both occur in your life as well.
A. Consider
the Transfiguration - There Jesus went up with His three friends. He went
there to be vindicated. There, on that mountain, before their very eyes, Jesus
was transfigured before them. As His clothing and clothing began to glow before
them. As they heard the voice of the
Father. As they witnessed Moses and Elijah. Those disciples were privileged to
receive a message -that this Jesus - is truly the chosen one of the Father.
No. We do not receive audible sounds
from God. Yet He still speaks. He communicates to us through His Word. There you
find clear direction. There He will guide you along your journey. “Thy Word is a
lamp unto my feet and light unto my path.”
B. Then
there is Calvary -There Jesus went up alone. He was a man familiar and
acquainted with grief. Despised and rejected by all sorts of the people. Not all
could see that Jesus was this chosen Son of the Father. They could not accept
His message and so He was rejected and forsaken by men.
THE POINT FOR US, living in the year of our Lord 2019 - We worship
a living Christ - the embodiment of the one and eternal God. And yet He is
despised by a majority of the world. We
are to uphold the living Christ; who, although men rejected Him, He bore your
sins in His body, that, being dead to sin, might live unto Him in righteousness
and purity.
2. Consider the Reaction of both events - men did not understand both experiences
A. At the Transfiguration, the disciples did not understand what was
taking place. - "[They were…] not knowing what he said"
v.33 It was only after the death and resurrection that the disciples come to
realize that this Transfigured Jesus could only be the Lord and Savior of the
world.
B. At
Calvary, there was much confusion. Jesus prayed - "Father forgive them for they know not what
they do" Luke 23:34 The crowd, the mob, the leaders, the soldiers
failed to realize that they were crucifying the Lord of glory.
THE POINT FOR US: We live in a world in which many folk fail to
understand the meaning of the cross of Christ. The cross of Christ is more than
just simple jewelry. The cross is more than a good luck charm. It is the place
where the Son of Man was suspended between earth and heaven. St. Paul tells us
"I determine to know nothing among
you except for Jesus Christ and Him crucified." The old song sins, “In
the cross of Christ I glory.” As we review what the Lord has done in our midst
may Jesus Christ be praised; may we lift up the cross of Christ as a banner for
all to see.
3. Consider the Reason why Jesus went up to the
mountain - why go up to the mountains?
A. At the
Transfiguration - Jesus went up on the mountain to receive the Father’s
approval to die. As Moses and Elijah appeared, they spoke about the cross. They
spoke about the fact that Jesus was about to suffer. They spoke concerning His death.
And His offering of Himself in exchange for the sins of the world.
B. At
Calvary, the prophecy was fulfilled. - Jesus went to the cross to die in
obedience to the Father’s good and perfect will. Jesus prayed, "Father, if it is Your will remove this cup
from Me. Never the less, not My will,
but your will be done!" Jesus
obediently followed the will of the Father.
THE POINT FOR US: Jesus followed the will of the Father every
single moment. Jesus came into this world "to fulfill all righteousness". We point people to Christ, who
has fulfilled all of the Father’s requirements.
He has done all things well. We proclaim a Changing Christ to a changing
world. This has been our mission for the past 181 years. By God's good and
gracious will may we continue to lift high His banner proclaiming and pointing
people to Christ; our strength and our redeemer.
Words – 955
Passive Sentences –16%
Readability – 75.4%
Reading Level -5.8%
Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘The Transfiguration
of our Lord’ © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
Collect for Transfiguration Sunday, Lutheran Service
Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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