The Transfiguration of our Lord
"While he was still speaking, behold, a cloud full of light overshadowed them, and behold a voice out the cloud speaking, ‘This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!'" (St. Matthew 17:8)
Please read the full Gospel text: St. Matthew 17:1-9
"While he was still speaking, behold, a cloud full of light overshadowed them, and behold a voice out the cloud speaking, ‘This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!'" (St. Matthew 17:8)
Please read the full Gospel text: St. Matthew 17:1-9
In the name of Jesus. Amen. Interrupting St. Peter is the same Voice that we heard last week at Jesus’ Baptism. The same Voice with the same words! "This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." But what is unique this week is that Father’s voice bids us to "Hear Him."
"Hear Him." Listen to Him. Give heed to what He says. And what does the beloved Son of God say?
"Arise, and don’t be afraid." So, they look up and saw Jesus alone. They heard Jesus alone. Then, Jesus tells more words to hear! "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead."
That’s the good news of the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus! At the Transfiguration, amidst all the glory of our Lord’s Epiphany as the Son of God, is the Cross. They are not to tell anyone about the vision they have seen until after the Cross, until after Jesus dies, until after He rises from the dead. Right at the Transfiguration is the Cross.
The remedy for the glory of God, for the Voice and the cloud, is not for the Lord’s disciples to be better people. They don’t find some strength inside themselves to stand before God’s glory. No, that would only make things worse!
What rescues them from the glory of God is the words that the Voice bids them to hear! The words deliver exactly what they say! Jesus tells them to arise and stop being afraid. Then, everything is just as Jesus says. There is no reason for them to be afraid anymore. Everything that they have to fear is gone and there is Jesus alone.
That’s what the Word of the Lord does! It delivers the very thing it says! You hear that your sins are forgiven by your pastor in the stead and by the command of Jesus at Holy Absolution. Your sins are then forgiven. Listen to Jesus through the mouth of the one He sent!
At the Lord’s Supper, the Lord puts His Body and Blood into your mouth to eat and to drink for the remission of all your sins. Then you hear, "The Body and Blood of your Lord and Savior Jesus strengthen and keep you steadfast in the One true faith unto life everlasting." Hear the words! They do what they say! The Lord keeps you in the faith by His Body and Blood.
The Words of Jesus do great things because they deliver what He won for you on the Cross. So do as the Father bids you do! Don’t be afraid. Hear the words of Jesus. Then, set your eyes on the Cross of Jesus and start preparing for Lent. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Other readings this week
Psalm 84:1-10
Isaiah 61:10-11
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9
Higher Things Reflections are written by Rev. George F. Borghardt III, Assistant Pastor at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Conroe, TX.