Sermon for 3/2/25: Transfiguration of Our Lord (c)

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Jesus Alone

Luke 9:28-36

 

Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen

 

 

Peter, James, and John would have been pleased to stay on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses and Elijah. But they wanted nothing to do with the place called Calvary. Calvary was where the blood of the Son of God was to be shed; where the Lamb, provided by the Father for sacrifice, bore our sins to death; where God was revealed and seen not in glory, but in His humble, bloody, dying mercy. To their shame, they wanted none of that. And yet, Moses and Elijah came to the Mount of Transfiguration in the only way that men do: by means of death. There is no other way. In this, we are all the same: all will die. Even those still living at the return of our Lord will have either died in Holy Baptism and go on to eternal life, or they will die eternal death.

Peter did learn. It was hard. He wept bitter tears of shame and of sorrow. The muscles built up on the Sea of Galilee, the brawn and the street smarts, the plans and schemes and ways with men—they all fell away to nothing when faced with God’s glory. Peter was afraid. His strength failed again when faced with our Lord’s willingness to suffer and die for men who hated Him. In the face of that great love, Peter could see just how far he had fallen, how awful were the things he had done, how disgusting were the things he had said and thought, how terrible were the lies he had told, how false and shameful was his bravado. The eyes of the Lord fell on Him. The cock crowed, and Peter wept.

For whom does the cock crow? It crows for Peter, yes, but it also crows for you. Betrayers and cowards, self-serving, conniving, depraved—we are all heirs in this way of Peter, of James and John, of David and Adam. Look in the mirror and ask yourself how cheaply you will sell your soul. Will you at least have the decency of Peter to be afraid? Do you really think you can fool God as you have fooled men? Do you dare to challenge God and risk His wrath and anger? Is it not enough to weary men; will you weary God as well? Why should God put up with you? Aren’t you more self-willed, unpredictable, even disobedient, than any dog that ever lived? Weep bitter tears. Turn from yourself, and turn to Christ.

And then, arise and do not be afraid. Why should God put up with you? He will do so because He is good, because His mercy endures forever. He will do so because He promised to be your God and to love you; and, unlike men, God does not lie. Arise, and see Jesus only! Your own transfiguration is coming. Be focused not upon yourself but upon His unfailing love and promise. He went to that horrendous death like a Lamb to the slaughter, without complaint. But He did not go against His will. He went in perfect love, in complete obedience, with nothing more than the desire to make you His. He knew this was the cost. He knew what it took to bring Peter and James and John, Moses and Elijah, David and Nathan, even you, to Himself, and to His Father in heaven. He was always willing to pay that price. He did not hesitate. He endured all of hell’s fury to wipe away Peter’s tears and your tears. It is worth it to Him. You are worth it to Him. And He regrets none of it. His life for you is pure and undefiled. Hell cannot stop Him. Death cannot hold Him, and it will not hold you.

He has made you His once again. His atoning death, His justifying resurrection, and His life-giving ascension was His exodus from this world. It is also your exodus. He leads you out of death’s shadow and slavery and into the promised land enjoyed now by Moses and Elijah, by Peter, James, and John, and, indeed, by all the saints of God.

So, arise, and do not be afraid. Our God is more patient with you than you are with your pets, or your children, or even with yourself. His love is not stopped by your guilt. His Law does not return to power simply because you have sinned. He has provided the Lamb for the sacrifice. There is nothing more to pay, no sins left to be atoned for, nothing so bad or painful that it cannot be overcome. And He has placed His name on you. He is well-pleased with you. And he provides this day for your nourishment and strength, for your courage and your loyalty: His body and His blood. Do not be afraid. Eat and drink. Rejoice and rest. He knows what He is doing. He is loving you in Christ, and that love will never stop. In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

The peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus always.  Amen.