Transfiguration

“Almighty God, on the mountain you showed your glory in the Transfiguration of your Son. Give us the vision to see beyond the turmoil of our world and to behold the King in all his glory.”

Before the Cross, Resurrection, and Ascension, we get a glimpse of the inner, true nature of the Son of God. Until this time, we saw God’s glory manifested in Jesus. The Wise Men saw in Him a king. John the Baptist confessed Jesus as the Messiah. In the miracles of Jesus, we witnessed His power. Jesus’ miracles were signs of the presence of the kingdom of God. (Matthew 12:39) …and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him. (Luke 13:17)

Now we see directly the divine nature of Jesus. This brings us to the uniqueness of Jesus — “They saw no one but Jesus only.” In the light of Jesus’ being the only Son of the Father, we must confront the pluralism of our day which would suggest that Jesus is merely one among many possibilities. Mohammed, Buddha, Confucius will all make claims of having divine qualities. Jesus alone will prove it.

The Transfiguration is an experience that blows the mind. Many questions go unanswered. How could the holy presence of God come into a human frame? How do you explain the exceeding brightness of the physical Jesus? How could Moses and Elijah appear in bodily form? Does God come in a cloud and does God have a real voice?

Perhaps our only reaction and answer is worship. Like Peter, we do not know what to say. Like the disciples, we are overcome with awe and adoration. Jesus and His three disciples go up to pray and reflect and the experience results in worship of Christ. These three return from the mountain and their lives are forever changed.


The Transfiguration was a preparation for Jesus’ journey to the cross. Before taking a trip [to Hawaii, Europe, the Holy Lands, around the world or even for a weekend getaway], we must make preparations of various kinds. Any traveler knows this. Jesus was planning a trip to Jerusalem to suffer and die there as Messiah. He needed confirmation, assurance, and approval from the Father to take the trip. Ash Wednesday, coming in three days, marks the beginning of our pilgrimage with Jesus to Jerusalem. Transfiguration is the preparation.


Our coming Lenten pilgrimage begins today —

1. It is a going up — Vs. 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. We are going up to be with God.

A. For guidance. What was going through the minds of these three disciples, Peter, James and John? They were going with Jesus. They had Him all to themselves. What conversations would they have? What would He tell them? Would this be a trip to remember?

We too go to Jesus for guidance. We come to Him taking our needs burdens joys and sorrows to the throne room of grace. And we’re thankful as the Savior answers each petition according to His perfect will.

B. For assurance. Most everyone has someone they can turn to for advice. In time of sickness, they can turn to a doctor. In legal matters, they can turn to a lawyer. However, there are some things man doesn’t have the answer for. As you and I face eternity, to whom shall we go?

To Whom Shall We Go With Our Sins? Can we turn to men of great wealth? "None that boast of great wealth can redeem his brother." (Psalms 49:7-8)

Where Can We Go For Inward Peace? The sinner has no peace. There is no peace to be found in the pleasures of this world. True peace is found only in Christ Jesus. "Peace I leave, Peace I give not as the world gives, let not your heart be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27)

This peace became available at a great price. …through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:20) Peace was made through the Blood of Jesus Christ. It is so easy to receive. "There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)

Transition: Our journey is a going up. It is also a going back.


2. It is a going back — Vs. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. We go back.


A. To Moses and Elijah to get our roots. The church triumphant joins the church militant in worship. We are so familiar with these words. We speak them at every Communion service. Later on in our service, we will hear these words:
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give You thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

He revealed His glory to the disciples
to strengthen them for the scandal of the cross.
his glory shone from a body like our own,
to show that the Church,
which is the body of Christ,
would one day share His glory.

In our unending joy we echo on earth.
Therefore with angels and archanges and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Thy glorious name, evermore prainging Thee and saying

“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Sabaoth;
heaven and earth are full of Thy glory;
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest
Blessed is He, that cometh in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highst.

Redeemed sinners on earth join in praising the Lord with those who have been transfered into glory. We unite our voices and encircle the throne and worship the Lamb who is there seated at the right hand of the Father.

B. The cross is grounded in God’s ancient promises of deliverance. God's justice is associated with His acts of salvation and deliverance, and with His deeds of mercy and forgiveness. The Lord works justice and judgment for all the oppressed. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free and the Lord gives signs to the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. (Psalm 103:6)

Transition: Our journey is a going up. It is a going back. It is also a going down.


3. It is a going down — Vs. 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.” We go down.

A. From the mountain to witness and serve. We worship and we witness. We leave this holy house and go back to our homes, our schools, and to our places of work. We return to the places where we shop and hang out with our friends. It is at those places where you are a voice and a witness. You are the voice for those who have none. You are the voice of those who need defending. You are the voice for whom no one speaks well of. You are also a witness of Him whose passion we will observe in three short days.

B. To carry a cross. We are continually in the process of dying. We die to self only to live for the one who has saved us. As you carry your cross and die to self you discover that "dying" is the process and God's presence is the result!
Ultimately, it is only God who can make us grow. But, the apostle Paul helps us to keep it in perspective when he said, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth." (1 Corinthians 3:6). God causes the growth, but we are the ones who need to do the planting and the watering. That growth comes as we begin the discipline of Lent. May the Lord direct your journey in your contemplation, in your devotional life, in your prayers.

We begin this journey not alone we walk with Him who carried the cross. With the Lord Jesus in His suffering, humiliation, agony, and bloody sweat; and at the cross where He took our sins upon Himself. That great exchange – God’s mercy and forgiveness purchased at the cost of His own son! For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Godspeed and God bless as your journey begins!

Schnorr von Carolsfeld. Woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use
Preface for the Transfiguration of our Lord

Arch Madness

Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis March 3-6, 2011

Our Town

Don Wharton Concert

Don Wharton will be hosting a family concert on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 6 pm. Refreshments will be served in the church basement beginning at 5:30. Come and bring a friend.

They're Back!

A Flock of seven birds was spotted roosting in a woods off Winchester Rd. on the way to Adams Memorial Hospital! Sure sign of an early spring!

Time in the Word - Transfiguration

Collects for Transfiguration: 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 lives sand reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses Your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment while and glistening; Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in His beauty; who with You, O Father and You, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Almighty God, on the mountain you showed your glory in the Transfiguration of your Son. Give us the vision to see beyond the turmoil of our world and to behold the King in all His glory.

Collect for Psalm 2: Lord God, You gave the peoples of the world to be in inheritance of Your Son: You crowned Him as king of Zion, Your holy city, and gave Him Your Church as His bride. As He proclaims the way of Your eternal kingdom, may we serve Him faithfully, and so know the royal power of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.



The Epiphany season draws to its conclusion with the Transfiguration of our Lord. The Transfiguration was Jesus’ experience with God, not the first nor the last, but it was an experience so intense that the glory of God transfigured Him into the brightness of the sun.

The Transfiguration marks the apex of the Epiphany triangle. Through the season we have witnessed the glory of God manifested in Jesus, but today God’s full glory is reflected in Jesus. Jesus’ glory is shown by the brightness of His physical appearance, the appearance of Moses and Elijah, and the presence of the Father evidenced by cloud and voice. Since Jesus has come to the full possession of God’s glory, He is prepared to fulfill His mission as Messiah by going to Jerusalem to the cross. Because of this, the Transfiguration is a preparation for our Lenten pilgrimage to suffer and die with Jesus. The importance of this Transfiguration experience led the church to make the Transfiguration a festival of the church. The liturgical color changes to white, to express the joy and celebration of the event. So, yes, today is a day for feasting, yet ours is deeper, more then the world can understand. We rejoice in God our Savior.

Monday, 28 February 2011—Psalm 99:1-5; antiphon, Psalm 99:9.—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy! See also vs. 5 God’s royal footstool. When God sits on His heavenly throne His earth throne is His footstool.

Tuesday, 01, March 2011—Psalm 2:6-12 — The Psalm appointed for this coming Sunday the key verse is verse 7b, “You are my son, today I have begotten you.” The voice in this appointed Psalm refers to God’s voice. The Lord’s anointed proclaims the Lord’s coronation decree. For a New Testament application to Jesus’ resurrection see Acts 13:33; to His superiority over angels see Hebrews 1:5. To His appointment as high priest see Hebrews 5:5.

Wednesday, 02, March 2011— Exodus 24:8-18 - The Old Testament lesson an experience with God reveals His glory as He appears to Moses on Mt. Sinai, but it was related to the Law, not the gospel of the Son. The significance of a mountain. A mountain is generally the site of a religious experience. It was, at least, for Moses, Elijah, Abraham, and Jesus. There is a symbolism to a mountain. It is high, above the valley of the mundane. It is a solitary place away from people. It is a silent sight where God’s voice can be heard without the distractions and confusion of human voices. A mountain also speaks of stability, permanence, and strength.

Thursday, 04, March 2011- 2 Peter 1:16-21- In our Epistle lesson disciples testify to the reality of Jesus’ experience with God. The disciples witnessed Jesus’ glorious transfiguration. Our lesson gives testimony of the disciples concerning the reality of that experience. Is the Transfiguration a legend of the early church or an historical reality? This account in 2 Peter assures us that it can be accepted as hard fact, the witness of eyewitnesses.

The problem lies in the interpretation of the text which claims that 2 Peter was probably the last book of the New Testament to be written and this was not written by Peter. Can we believe one who says he was an eyewitness when he was not? If the writer received the witness from Peter, could he not say that he also saw the Transfiguration through the eyes of Peter? Can’t the preacher 21 centuries later say the same when he repeats the witness of the apostle? The authority of the church today is the authorities of the apostle. Were you there at the Transfiguration as you were at the cross? It indicates that the Transfiguration need not be only an historical event, but an existential experience today for us.

Friday, 05, March 2011— Matthew 17:1-9- In the Gospel lesson an experience with God is transforming as Jesus is transfigured before three of His disciples. The Transfiguration is a worship experience. The Transfiguration is an experience that blows the mind. Many questions go unanswered. How could the holy presence of God come into a human frame? How do you explain the exceeding brightness of the physical Jesus? How could Moses and Elijah appear in bodily form? Does God come in a cloud and does God have a real voice? Perhaps our only reaction and answer is worship. Like Peter, we do not know what to say. Like the disciples, we are overcome with awe and adoration. Jesus and his three disciples go up to pray and worship and the experience results in worship of Christ.

Before the cross, Resurrection, and Ascension, we get a glimpse of the inner, true nature of the Son of God. Until this time we saw God’s glory manifested in Jesus as the Wise Men saw in him a king, in John the Baptist’s confession of Jesus as Messiah, and in the miracles of Jesus. Now we see directly the divine nature of Jesus. This brings us to the uniqueness of Jesus — “They saw no one but Jesus only.” In the light of Jesus’s being the only Son of God, then, we must confront the pluralism of our day. In the movie O God! John Denver asks George Burns (who plays the part of God), whether Jesus was his son. “God” answers, “Jesus is my son, Mohammed is my son, Buddha is my son, and Confuscius is my son.”

Sources:
Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series A by John Brokhoff © 1980 CSS Publishing Lima OH
For All the Saints A Prayer Book for and By the Church Vol. II © 1995 by the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Epiphany 8

Matthew 6:24-34
A Worry Free Life – is this possible?

“Almighty and everlasting God, ruler of heaven and earth: Hear our prayer and give us your peace now and forever.”

In the last paragraph of the sixth chapter of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus discusses materialism as a god. It is not possible, He teaches, to hold to this god and to God our heavenly Father. If we would serve the Father, the material side of life – He alone must provide.

In this short passage, the word “anxious” is used six times. It is the key word of the passage. To be anxious is to worry. Jesus teaches His disciples not to worry about the basic needs of life: food, drink, and clothing, nor about the future (v. 34). Now, let me be clear on this matter. Not to worry is not an invitation to idleness and sloth. To have your basic needs met; one must be in partnership with God by planning, working hard, and saving for the future. These things are done by a Christian without the worry of getting enough of the basic needs for today and of having security for tomorrow. The most fundamental principle in Christian stewardship is to acknowledge that God is the Creator of everything. Therefore, He is the owner. We work for Him. We are simply managing His stuff.

Is living without worrying possible? Just read the headlines. There is much to be concerned. The world needs a sermon on how to stop worrying and start living. Who does not worry? It is a universal and constant problem. Jesus faced it in His day and gave the answer. His disciples were to be different from pagans by being free from worry. The secret of not worrying is found in one’s relationship to the Father. Is He your one and only Master? If He is, do you trust Him? If the answers are in the affirmative then life without worrying begins.

How do we live without worry?

1. The bases for worry (Why the world worries).

A. Basic physical needs — v. 25. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Three times Jesus says to us “Quit your worrying!” (Vv. 25, 31, 34) This is more than advice. It’s a command. The idea behind the original language is that we have to put to a stop to what we are doing. Stop it! He says. Quit your worrying now! Very quickly, the Savior gives six reasons why not worrying is simple Christian obedience.

1. Choosing not to worry about our finances is an obedience He expects from us. If your treasures are in heaven, they are safe with Him. You have a living hope that will never perish, spoil or fade. Your security is kept in heaven for you. (1 Peter 1). And if that is your treasure, if that is your true riches, than what we have on earth pales in significance. We need not worry. We need not listen to an earthly tyrant that commands us to worry about our money.

2. Remember who you are. Remember whose you are. If God takes care of all the little things like the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, you who were created in His image, you who are His reputation in this world, how much more will He provide for you!

3. God is your Father. Your heavenly Father is able to provide every need that you have. He who owns the kingdom is giving you all that you need or ask. That’s what he does. He is God your provider. As Paul says in Philippians 4:19, God shall supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ. So quit your fretting. Your life is far more than your body. God will preserve your life.

4. It’s not only the needs of clothing and food, it is also the days of our lives that He provides. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Vs. 27 He numbers our days. Are you the one who is in total control over the number of your days? Some people plan to live until they are 100 years old and they are going to do that they tell us by exercise and diet. Give your anxiety a rest. Don’t worry yourself to death. Your heavenly Father has numbered all of your days. He who is the Alpha and Omega, He who has known us from before the creation of the world knows your coming in and your going out both now and forever more. (Psalm 122).

5. Do not worry. You are a Holy People. In this world you are called to be different. The whole world may run after these things, literally earnestly seek these things, and telling us that they are the most important things to do. But that does not mean that you have to. Live to the beat of a different drummer. Live your lives by a different standard. Live your lives in such a way that when others see your generosity, they will glorify your God in heaven. We have the hope of heaven. We have the guarantee of eternal life. Our Father is pleased to give us the kingdom.

6. Entrust your future to the Lord; He is the one that has your future in His hands. Tomorrow is His concern. It does you no good to waste your energy trying by thought to control what can’t be controlled. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Don’t worry. Set your priorities straight - seek first the kingdom and its righteousness and all these things will be added to you.

B. Nor should we worry about the future — Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own v. 34. Today is of greater concern than tomorrow. You cannot kill to-morrow's anxiety by being anxious about it to-day. And so He says, Each day has enough trouble of its own. Every day that comes will have in it adversity - things calculated to make us anxious. Tomorrow will be anxious. The evil will come whatever you do. Thus, we are lead to pray: Lord, for to-morrow and its needs I do not pray. Keep me, O Lord, from stain of sin just for to-day."

There is nothing ascetic here. You can’t go out and say, Very well, I will be like the sparrow, I will not sow, or reap, or gather - the whole teaching of Jesus is, not that we are not to reap, sow, gather, toil, spin; but that through our toil and planning we are not to be anxious. Through reaping, we are to trust. In our gathering, we are to sing. As we toil we are to rejoice. As we spin, we are to be quiet. It is a call to the life that is frictionless, because by the principle of faith man takes hold upon God, and, submitting, knows what it is to have His power operating through his work, and His life providing for his need.

2. The cure for worry — (Why Christians need not worry).

A. Let the Father be the Master — v. 24. No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. “Trying to love two ain’t easy to do.”* The issue is one of Lords and masters; ones who have control over others. And the issue is this, you can’t have two Lords. You can’t have two masters telling you what to do. God and money are completely opposed. They are opposites when it comes to what you serve. You cannot walk in opposite directions simultaneously. The one commands us to walk by faith and the other demands we walk by sight. The one calls us to be humble and the other to be proud. The one to set our minds on things above and the other to set them on things below. One calls us to love light, the other to love darkness. The one tells us to look toward things unseen and eternal and the other to look at things seen and temporal. You cannot serve both God and Money. Only one will ever have authority in your life.

B. Know that He cares — [For] The pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. v. 32. You need to remember what sort of Father you have. He wants you to believe that He will give whatever is necessary for you. He is a good father and will take care of His children. He is your father. You need not doubt His paternal care. He loves you. He is very interested, and affectionate towards you. Your Father in heaven, who has all things at His command, does whatever He pleases on earth. He knows your needs. He knows everything. He knows all your stresses, your difficulties, your wants and your needs. He knows what is necessary every day. He knows what you cannot do without. It is within His power to provide. Your situation does not go unknown to Him. Nothing is hidden from His eye. You are a dependent. You are dependent upon Him.

C. Trust Him to provide — But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well v. 33. Trust should have priority over worry. A life without worry is the result of having one’s priorities in its proper order. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. God is to come first. Money, wealth, riches, honor, a great job, a nice house, kids that are popular, a new car - these are all nice to have - but that is not your first priority. Trust not in things. Christ alone is to be served. Life is more important than food, drink, and clothing. The things of this world will all pass away.

There is no need to be anxious about material things. The Father will provide them. His hand provides for those who trust in Him. With faith in His provision of our daily needs, we should have no anxiety about tomorrow.

* Trying to Love Two Aint Easy To Do by William Bell
Artwork by Ed Riojas, © Higher Things.
New International Version, ©2010