"The Transfiguration, His and Ours"

Text: Matthew 17:1-9

May you be given the faith and the wisdom to recognize both the power and the mercy of God our Father, of his Holy Spirit, and of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Dear Fellow Christians:

The text for our consideration this morning reveals to us the event we celebrate on this day, the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ. That great event – our text – is found recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, the Seventeenth Chapter:

^NKJ Matthew 17:1-9 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; ² and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. ³ And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. ⁴ Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." ⁵ While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" ⁶ And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. ⁷ But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid." ⁸ When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. ⁹ Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead."

So far the very words of God. Concerning this very Word of God the Apostle Peter said that we would "do well to heed as a to light that shines in a dark place." So also we pray, "Sanctify us through Your truth, O Lord. Your Word is truth." Amen.

So what did you get out of the reading of that text? Anything at all, or did you read it with just sort of a numb sense of comfortable religiosity? Admittedly sort of an abrupt question, but sometimes it takes that to wake us from our spiritual lethargy.

The sad fact is we need to engage in a relentless struggle to avoid becoming lazy and complacent in our faith life.

When sinful human beings encounter the vast panorama of God's Word they actually see very little of what is really there. Even those who trip lightly across the surface routinely come to imagine that what they have witnessed is really of very little practical value. Oh the writing is pretty good (in their humble estimation) and there are contained therein some solid little bits of moralizing, but all in all the Bible is to them an over-hyped piece of real estate.

The real problem is that man has no idea what untold wealth lies just below the surface of God's Holy Word. What is more, all men from birth lack both the vision to recognize the potential and the tools to extract all of those divine riches. The result is a pure and catastrophic waste on a scale unimagined by humankind. How can anyone put a price tag on that which rescues us from an eternity in hell and carries us instead to an unimaginably blissful paradise that never ends? The unparalleled wealth given to us by our gracious and merciful God will forever remain hidden from the unbelieving world, unless and until they are taught to extract it.

We share much with the unbelieving world, don't we? We too miss out on so much of what our Lord would lavish upon us simply because we are lazy. We skim over, flip through, pass over great riches that are just lying there, waiting for us to pick them up and make them our own. Digging out the answers to these sorts of questions is what makes the Scriptures come alive, and it is how we learn, grow, and are strengthened for the work and the battles that lie ahead.

All of which sounds good, but what does it really mean? In connection with this morning's text, it means that we are supposed to listen and read with the understanding that God's Word always represents a treasure that is to be mined. To do so, we sometimes need to tear it apart and reassemble it. In more practical terms, it means that we should, upon hearing the words of this particular text, ask (and then answer) questions like, "What does it mean to be transfigured? What does it mean that Jesus was transfigured? Why was Jesus transfigured? What were Moses and Elijah doing there, and why did Jesus first invite Peter, James, and John to witness these sublime sights, and then tell them to keep the event to themselves?"

To be transfigured means, literally, to be changed, usually on the outside and usually for the better – but that bit of information really doesn't help us much. We already pretty much figured that out from a simple reading of the text. That which was witnessed here in Jesus was infinitely more than just a brief, outward glowing. In fact the Greek word here describing what took place in Jesus was carried nearly intact into the English as metamorphosis. What those three privileged apostles were fortunate enough to witness was a glimpse of Jesus with his divine glory shining through. They were seeing the majesty that Jesus always possessed, but now it was attached to and permeated the human body that he had taken on.

The vision absolutely shocked Peter, James, and John, it was that sublime. We miss a key component of this text – indeed this entire event – if we fail to pause for a bit to take this in. The magnificence that these men here witnessed defied description, but our inspired text did what it could, given the bounds of human communication: "His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light." Hold that thought, that image, for just a bit because we are going to come back to it.

Why was Jesus transfigured? Both for Jesus and for you and me. When we hear that it is Transfiguration Sunday, we immediately ought to recognize that we once again stand at the door of Lent. The event provided Jesus with a special strengthening just before he undertook the final leg of his great and incomparable journey of humiliation and self-sacrifice. That journey carried him from the womb of Mary to the cross of Calvary. The Transfiguration undoubtedly therefore served as a great spiritual boost before Jesus had to suffer the terrors of Good Friday.

What then are we supposed to learn from the fact that it was Moses and Elijah who spoke to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration? Moses was the giver of the Law; Elijah was arguably the greatest of the prophets. In Moses and Elijah then we have a representation of "the Law and the Prophets," referred to on more than one occasion by Jesus himself. So also we read in Luke 16:16, "The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it." Paul also picked up the expression, since we read in Romans 3:21, "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets."

The day of Moses and Elijah, those who symbolized "the law and the Prophets," was rapidly coming to a close. A new order, a new covenant, was being established. The Old was passing off to the New. In this we recognize that the Law and the Prophets have given way to Jesus Christ. What does that mean, personally, to you and me? It means that the Old Covenant, with all of its demands and condemnations, has given way to the New Covenant. This New Covenant says simply: Your sins are forgiven. Jesus has paid for them. Salvation is yours, you are reconciled to God. Gone – every single one of your sins.

Again, don't hold these promises from our God at arm's length. Draw them into your heart and make them both real and personal. Don't just hear that your sins are forgiven in general terms. Think of a sin that you committed this past week. That very sin is included in what we are talking about here. That sin has been forgiven. Think now of a very big and very black sin from your past – a sin that still makes you blush to think that you were capable of such lawlessness or perversion. That, too, is the sin that has been forgiven.

Why did Jesus invite Peter, James, and John to witness this event? The Apostles, who spent about three years at the Savior’s side, had to face a problem unique to their situation. Because of their physical, day to day contact with the man Jesus, it must have been difficult for them to continually recognize that Jesus was both true man and true God. How difficult it must have been for them to remember, having seen Jesus eat, sleep, laugh, cry, and all the rest - how difficult to remember that in Jesus "dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." Not after this. Jesus invited Peter, James, and John to witness his Transfiguration as a remedy for this very problem. Never again would these three men forget that Jesus was more than just true man. Through their witness we today can never forget that the man Jesus, who was nailed to the cross, was also "very God of very God, begotten, not made. Being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made." (Words from the Nicene Creed) What a fitting reminder, as we enter the season of Lent, that it was God himself who offered his life for man!

The next very personal application of this section of God's Word is the fact that this very Son of God is the one who died for my sins and even today serves as my intercessor at the Father’s right hand. The Bible tells us that "if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (1 John 2:1) While on earth, Jesus set aside the glory that was his, along with the full use of his power. Here we are given a brief glimpse of the power and majesty that are his. Through the eyes of Peter, James and John we see Jesus as he is now. Jesus himself told us, after his resurrection, "All power is given unto me in heaven and on earth..." The great news for you and me in all of this is that this is the same Jesus who intercedes for you and me right at this very moment! Can not such a God do for us whatever is best for us? Wouldn’t we do well to remember the picture of Jesus’ shining in power and glory on the mount when we are tried and tested here in time? Next time a problem confronts you – a regular Gordian Knot whopper of a problem – look not to the Jesus lying helpless in the manger, nor even the cadaverous looking Jesus dragging his own cross through the streets of Jerusalem. Look to the Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration and there witness the power he now wields – the power he has promised to use in your behalf. Shall not such a God be able to accomplish for you whatever is best for your soul?

When Peter, James, and John had seen and experienced the great glory of the Savior on that Transfiguration Hill, they wanted to stay right there – the sight was that spectacular. Peter offered to build homes for everyone right there on the spot. Jesus would have none of it - not from Peter and certainly not from us. Souls are being strengthened here, but souls are dying out there, and each one of us has the medicine they need to escape an eternity in hell. Our Lord Jesus wants us to expend the same effort at reaching others that we would want others to expend in bringing us the Words of life. Transfiguration tells us, "You've met with the Lord, now go and tell your neighbor what you've seen."

Our God knows full well that the job he gave us to do would not be easy, so he left us with something to lighten our step as we walk the long path toward home. You will recall that I asked you to hold that vision of Jesus in your mind's eye? Here is the reason, given to us by inspiration of the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul in his Letter to the Philippians (3:20-21): "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." Do you recall that splendid vision of Jesus as he was transfigured? Because of what that same Jesus has done for you and me, one day soon that gloried body will be ours. God's Word promises that our bodies will be made like his. Absolutely beyond imagination.

Thanks and praise be to God, who gives such great gifts, and such great promises, to men. Amen.

Scripture Readings and Sunday Bulletin for February 3, 2008

^NKJ Exodus 24:12, 15-18 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them." ¹⁵ Then Moses went up into the mountain, and a cloud covered the mountain. ¹⁶ Now the glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. ¹⁷ The sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel. ¹⁸ So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

^NKJ 2 Peter 1:16-19 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. ¹⁷ For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." ¹⁸ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. ¹⁹ And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

^NKJ Matthew 17:1-9 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; ² and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. ³ And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. ⁴ Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." ⁵ While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" ⁶ And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. ⁷ But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid." ⁸ When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. ⁹ Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead."

ST. PAUL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

2510 E. Divide Ave.

Bismarck, ND 58501 (701) 223-4885 Cell: (701) 425-5483

Website – www.bismarcklutheran.org

Mr. Mark Johnson, President (222-1855) Mrs. Eileen McEnroe, Organist

Michael Roehl, Pastor

Transfiguration Sunday – February 3, 2008

The Opening Prayer by the Pastor

The Opening Hymn ‑#139- (Red Hymnal)

"In His Temple Now Behold Him"

The Order of Service – Supplement page 12ff. (Brown Hymnal)

The Scripture Lessons: (Printed on the back page of this bulletin)

The Old Testament Lesson: (Exodus 24:12, 15-18) We have not seen the glory of our God, yet others have. Moses saw a shadow of that glory when he received the Ten Commandments. Let his witness be enough for us as we thrill to the fact that we will one day behold that glory.

Psalm 8 (Supplement page 27) (Brown Hymnal)

The Epistle Lesson: (2 Peter 1:16-19) Peter and the other Apostles did not use “cleverly devised fables” in teaching the early Church about Jesus. They simply gave their eyewitness accounts. Note well Peter’s suggestion to us. We did not see the Transfigured Jesus with our own eyes, but we do have something better - His Word! “Heed that Word as a light that shines in a dark place”!

The Confession of Faith ‑

The Apostolic Creed – page 15. (Brown Hymnal)

The Pre-Sermon Hymn ‑#135- (Red Hymnal)

"'Tis Good Lord to Be Here"

The Sermon – Text: Text: Matthew 17:1-9

"The Transfiguration, His and Ours"

The Offertory – (Supplement page 16 insert)

The Post-Sermon Hymn -#719- (Brown Hymnal)

"Jesus on the Mountain Peak"

The Offering Hymn ‑#788- (Verses 1 & 3) (Brown Hymnal)

"Lord You Love the Cheerful Giver"

The Prayers of the Day followed by the Lord's Prayer

The Benediction

The Closing Hymn ‑#652- (Verses 1, 3 & 4) (Red Hymnal)

"I Lay My Sins on Jesus"

Silent Prayer

Attendance ‑ Last Sunday (52) 2008 Average (50)

This Week at St. Paul:

Today -10:00 a.m. – Worship Service

-11:00 a.m. – Fellowship Hour

Monday -10:0 a.m. – Study Conference in Pierre

Wednesday -4:30 p.m. – Confirmation & Bible History

-7:00 p.m. – Midweek Bible Study

Next Sunday -8:45 a.m. – Sunday School and Bible Class

-10:00 a.m. – Worship Service w/ Holy Communion

-11:15 a.m. – Fellowship Hour

Pastor Out of Town – Pastor Roehl is scheduled to attend a Pastoral Study Conference in Pierre on Monday – leaving early Monday morning and returning late Monday evening. He can be contacted via the church cell phone at 701 425-5483.

Beginning of Lent – Today is Transfiguration Sunday, which on our Church Calendar falls on the Sunday prior to Lent. Lent officially begins this Wednesday, and we commemorate with the first of our midweek services here at St. Paul. The first Lenten service is, of course, Ash Wednesday, and Pastor Eric Libby of Jamestown is scheduled to be our guest speaker.

Confirmation – Parents and students please note that this week's Confirmation class has been moved to 4:30 p.m. Bible History students please contact Mr. Miller for your weekly schedule. Please bring any scheduling problems to the attention of the Pastor as soon as possible. This will be our normal schedule whenever Pastor Roehl is in Jamestown.

Basketball Jerseys – Those interested in helping to pay for basketball jerseys that will be used by our young people in the annual Eau Claire tournament are invited to do so by check or envelope in the weekly offering. Please mark your contribution "BB Jerseys" to make sure the money is distributed according to your wishes. The jerseys will be stored in Mapleton and used each year for the North Dakota team, which is made up of players from Mapleton/Fargo, Jamestown, and Bismarck.