Transfiguration Sunday - Video of Divine Service and text of sermon
Last Sunday of the Epiphany Season: Transfiguration
Exodus 24:8-18 2 Peter 1:16-21 Matthew 17:1-9
O Lord, let the Words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.
The last time we heard directly from the Father was Jesus’ baptism. The voice declared from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” We note that when the Father interrupts Peter’s reaction to the Transfiguration of Jesus along with the appearance of Moses and Elijah, the Father makes the same statement as He did at Jesus’ baptism. Peter, James, and John, the brother of James, were not present at Jesus’ baptism. The Father’s declaration from the midst of the cloud is for their benefit, not Jesus’. We note also that our heavenly Father adds one simple sentence of exhortation to his declaration, “Listen to Him.”
In English, we often make a distinction between listening and hearing. Verizon brought the question, “Can you hear me now?” into the modern consciousness as it sought to assure all customers current and future, that you will hear the caller anywhere in the 48 contiguous United States. In other words, when you answer your cell phone, you will hear the one who is calling you, instead of receiving the void of silence, from the dropped call.
The word “hearing” has more of an emphasis on receiving sound. The word “listening” conveys an emphasis paying attention. Someone says “Listen,” there might as well be a shhhh attached to the word. Saying “Listen” is shorthand for: be quiet, focus on what is said, pay attention, what comes next is important.
As we enter the house, I might say “Listen, what’s that?” We try to figure out what that sound is that is out of the ordinary, then locate it, and then figure out how to address the issue. Or someone with a badge is shouting, you want to do more than hear their raised voice, you want to listen to, pay attention to, what Ms. Official Person is saying. You know that you are receiving instructions that you need to know. The word “listen” also implies that the words that are being directed at you ought to be obeyed. Your very life may depend on it.
As it happens, Peter, James, and John, do need to be told to “listen” to Jesus, God’s beloved Son. While they did follow Jesus up the mountain, and that is something, Matthew sadly reports that six days before the Transfiguration, Jesus issued the first of three warnings or alerts to the disciples about what will soon happen to him and what Jesus expects of his disciples. Matthew 16:21 begins with “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things form the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” Peter’s failure to listen to and absorb thoughtfully and prayerfully what Jesus said led to a near exorcism of Peter by Jesus. “Get behind me, Satan!” Jesus then went on to say that all of them would have to take up their own cross to follow him.
After that dramatic spat with Peter, did any of the disciples hear Jesus, let alone listen to him with the care that he deserves? By that time, I imagine Jesus was getting used to repeating himself regularly and often.
Of all the disciples, Peter is the one who reacts instead of responds. His mouth moves faster than his brain. We could even say that he hears faster than he listens. The Father’s exhortation is for all three of the men, but Peter probably needed it the most at that moment.
All three of them certainly would need to have our heavenly Father’s encouragement to listen ringing in their ears when they came down the mountain. Jesus has some hard teachings to offer. The disciples will need to listen carefully to what Jesus says as he addresses the problem of greatness in the kingdom of God. They will hear Jesus command his followers to rid themselves of sin. And they will hear the equally difficult command to forgive others as they have been forgiven by the Father on account of the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross. Many insults, betrayals, and injustices that we endure are no easy thing to let go of. When you hear words like Jesus speaks you may wonder if it is too much for you to do. All the hard teachings that come after the Transfiguration call Christians to give up a focus on the self and serve as we have been served by our Lord. That is no easy thing either.
The Transfiguration signifies a change in their journey with Jesus. Jesus lets his divinity shine forth in that brief moment. He permits the three witnesses to see that Moses and Elijah are not dead, but very much alive in Christ. As Jesus continues to prepare them for his passion, death, and resurrection, they have a glimpse of God’s mysterious work through the Son. They have a hint now of the resurrection. And what he means by I am the way, the truth, and the life. He who believes in me shall never die.
The Transfiguration is the turning point when Jesus begins his journey toward the cross. We must always be sobered by the realization that the God-man who does only good in this world, allows himself to be taken up in events that led him to endure betrayal, suffering, and a ghastly death. You do well to do as the Father says, “Listen to him.” Jesus teaches you how to live well. He dies for you. He dies for your sins. He is held accountable for sins he did not commit. He dies for your salvation so that you may not perish but have eternal life. Because of Jesus, you too will see Moses, Elijah, and all the saints, a few of whom you know as Dad, Mom, Grandpa and Grandma. Listen to him so that your faith continues and that his promise is fulfilled for you.
The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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