Later today as you probably know, much of the world will be celebrating the great spectacle of the Superbowl. Two teams will play for the championship, one will defeat the other and celebrate the victory. Emotions will run high for the players and fans. Even though it is just a game, tears will be shed by victor and loser alike, words will be said, confetti will fly, and songs will be sung. When the game is over, the anticipation is done, the sweetness of victory attained, the fans, the players, and owners of the winning team, will want to bask in that moment of victory and prolong it for as long as they can.
But they cannot. Even as some people, wanting to preserve the moment, will buy overpriced t-shirts and hats to commemorate the victory, and others may use the victory or loss as an excuse to riot, loot, and pillage. Eventually, all people will have to come down from the emotional peak, down from the moments of escapist entertainment back to reality. People will have to shut off the television or go home and go back to their jobs or whatever it is they normally do. Athletes will have to return to their training and contract negotiations. The owners too will have to start planning for the next season. There will be an emotional letdown even before the hometown parades start for the winning team.
In today’s Gospel text we hear of another event: a great and glorious event that was even greater than any Superbowl or athletic event: The transfiguration of our Lord. A time of epic celestial and divine glory which Peter also did not want to end.
This event in the ministry of Jesus Christ is recorded in 3 of the gospels, and referenced in St. Peter’s 2nd epistle as we heard today. Every year we observe it, and celebrate it because of its importance.
The previous verses in Matthew’s Gospel tell us that six days before the transfiguration Jesus told the disciples that there would soon be a battle between the sides of good and evil. That soon He would rejected, betrayed, suffer and die, but that on the third day, He would be raised. This was no mere spectacle or game with short lived entertainment value but would settle eternal matters of life and death.
Jesus let this prediction regarding His death soak in the disciples’ heads for 6 days before showing some of them in this transfiguration, a momentary foretaste of what was on the other side of the sorrowful cross and battle which would look momentarily like defeat: A glory, light, wonder, and joy that shall never fade away in the eternal victory that He would accomplish by His sacrifice and would be revealed in His resurrection. All this because Jesus was and is the Christ.
Therefore, on that original day of Transfiguration, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up to the mountain where Jesus was transformed and transfigured. His face shone and His clothes made dazzling white, and He was joined by Moses and Elijah.
Peter, James, and John saw this glorious and wondrous thing. Perhaps not knowing what else to say, certainly not wanting this glorious vision to end, Peter said: “It is good Lord, that we are here, If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” But a bright cloud came and overshadowed them, and God the Father spoke and said: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The disciples fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”
This transfiguration was a moment in which heaven came down to earth. When the glory of Jesus as God’s Son was revealed, His face radiated the light and holiness as of God. This showed that Jesus Christ was and is the bridge and connection between heaven and earth. The fulfillment of Law and Gospel. The One who was to bring God and mankind together.
Yet, as glorious as that moment was. As wonderful and powerful as it seemed. It was not to last because the victory to which it pointed had not yet been achieved by Jesus.
A time of darkness and deep sorrow: the cross and the tomb lay ahead before the glory of the resurrection could be shown again.
Peter had been caught up in the emotion and wonder of the moment in a way in which I think we can all identify with. All too often, we let emotions get the best of us. Emotions, which are a gift from the Lord, can sometimes be that which the devil and the world manipulates to cause us to fall into sin and temptation by the weakness of our flesh.
Is it not because of our emotions, that we speak harshly to people without thinking about what we are saying? How often have we let our emotions get the best of us to offend and be offended? Because of our momentary fear and anger uncontrolled.
How often have we attached ourselves to fast fleeting moments and memories that seem happy and warm and affirming to the point that they become our god? Feelings so strong that we wish to re-enact them to the point of being controlled by them? How often do we get caught up in shows, movies, games, sports, or anything else so that it isn’t just a harmless past time, but becomes an all-consuming escape from reality.
The fact is, that we do need an escape from our reality: our reality of sin and temptation of sickness and death. Of emotions and reason, our own fickle minds and hearts which would enslave us.
Yet the very thing that would save us and center us, we take for granted. The devil and world and the flesh may say, “this liturgy is dull, the pastor’s preaching doesn’t touch my heart, it doesn’t feed my emotions. I am not entertained.” Perhaps we become spiritually lazy and we say or think: that we don’t need to come to church, we don’t need Bible Study, absolution, preaching, or communion, no, there are other priorities in our life more important.
How often do we take the preaching and teaching of God’s Word for granted? We hear but we do not listen. We listen, but we do not take to heart? But the Father says, “This is my Son, listen to Him”, for a reason.
Let us all repent. Let us turn, and by daily contrition, be saved. Saved from empty escapism, enslavement to sin, and addiction to raw uncontrolled emotion.
There is a greater glory and greater joy and light that cannot fade with time. There is a victory celebration which will not leave us ashamed and hung over or will fade with time. Because Jesus Christ did join heaven to earth. Jesus did fulfill the Law and the prophecies of the Old Testament. He was and is the Son of God: His appointed Christ to save the world, so that we may share in His victory. Unlike the Superbowl or other athletic spectacle, we are not limited to being mere spectators watching and admiring athletes from a distance and can only participate by buying memorabilia, no Jesus Christ, by faith, we are truly given a victory celebration.
God is not far away but near to you in Christ Jesus for your salvation even now. The glory of God is revealed not in the light of His unapproachable Holiness which our earthly eyes cannot bear and the thunder of His voice which would terrify us in our sin. No, He came to share in our flesh. To share our sufferings, to teach and preach, and bear the Law for you and me. To exercise the fine balance of emotion and reason that we cannot. With reason and mercy, He showed forth the glory of God by dying on the cross for you and me. He comes near to you in Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and in His Word preached and heard in His Divine Service.
The beloved Son speaks; listen to Him! Be not afraid, forsake your sin. Look to the cross and hear His voice: “Father, forgive them.” and believe that He means you.
And this my friends is the beauty of the Transfiguration. Because Jesus died on the cross, the glory that was shown but for a moment on that mountain from the face and clothes of Jesus points to the glory of His triumphant resurrection. Life conquering death. Light dispelling darkness. The glory which all believers will also receive at the last day. So this transfiguration of Jesus Christ points to our future resurrection in Him.
This glory of God’s presence, He brings us already by His victorious death and resurrection in our baptism, where we have lost our old lives, drowned by water and the Word. Christ and the clean brightness of His righteousness have been placed on us. We have confessed our sins and been forgiven, today. His Holy Spirit is given and works faith to be His transfigured, transformed Holy people outside and inside living in His glorious light even in a world darkened by sin and death.
He continues to come and dwell with us wherever His Word is preached and taught in truth and purity. In His sacramental presence He comes to transfigure us by His body and blood bringing heaven to us, so that we may already share in His holiness. Listen to Him: “Take eat, this is my body, take drink this is my blood.”
Yes, we must depart for a time again after the service, go back to our jobs, our schools, to dwelling with people we may not like, back to dealing with our own weakness, fear, and worry. But rise, be not afraid. Jesus is with you now as He has come to you. You do not have to give in to your baser instincts. Pray for strength as He works here in His word for your forgiveness and renewal. Rejoice in the Good news of victory in Him which is revealed already and shall be revealed in eternal spectacular fashion in the resurrection of all flesh when Christ shall come again with trumpet blast and a shout of command.
In the meantime, know that this victory is yours, and He will keep you and all His people where His prophetic Word is confirmed in His presence of Word and Sacrament until we are brought to dwell forever with Him in the glory which will not fade or end. The glory which Jesus Christ has accomplished and gives to you by the forgiveness of your sin. Amen.
Pr. Aaron Kangas