YouTube -- Last Sunday of Epiphany, Transfiguration (March 2, 2025)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, March 2, 2025.

Sermon -- Last Sunday of Epiphany, Transfiguration (March 2, 2025)

EXODUS 34:29-35

JESUS REVEALS A GLORY THAT WILL NOT FADE AWAY.

In the name + of Jesus.

     When Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, there were others who joined them on that mountain.  Moses and Elijah appeared and were speaking with Jesus.  It was not the first time either had spoken with the Lord on a mountain.  Elijah spoke with the Lord when his frustrations led to despair.  Elijah was convinced that there were no believers left and that his ministry had been a failure.  The Lord told Elijah to return and to keep preaching.  The covenant had not failed.  There were still thousands who were faithful and waiting for the Lord’s deliverance.

     Moses spoke with the Lord when that covenant was enacted on Mt. Sinai.  He received the tablets of the Ten Commandments and other details about Israel’s service to the Lord.  Now these men spoke with the Lord on a mountain again.  While they could have reminisced about the glory days of the past, instead they focused on the glory days to come.  St. Luke wrote, “They appeared in glory and were talking about his departure, which he was going to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem” (Luke 9:31).  This departure, in the Greek “exodus”, was the greatest act of deliverance our Lord would bring about.  God’s great act of deliverance in the Old Testament was the exodus out of Egypt.  This act of deliverance would be far greater.  Jesus would establish a better covenant than was enacted at Mt. Sinai.  Jesus reveals a glory that would not fade away.

     If Jesus established a new covenant, then there was something flawed about the old covenant.  Normally, a covenant has two sides to it.  Two parties must come to an agreement for a covenant to be reached.  In the old covenant, the parties were the Lord and the people of Israel.  The lengthy terms of the old covenant are recorded in Deuteronomy 28, but they boil down to this: If the people of Israel faithfully served the Lord and followed his commands, then the Lord would bless them with protection, prosperity, and glory.  But if the people of Israel did not follow the Lord’s commands, then the Lord would afflict them with all kinds of curses and terrors. 

     There is glory in this covenant, for this covenant is the word of the Lord and the word of the Lord is always glorious.  There was great blessing to be gained in this covenant.  “He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep his Commandments” (Luther’s Small Catechism).  But this covenant was flawed because of one word.  That word was, “If.”  If Israel was obedient, they would be a glorious people.  Sadly, Israel did not live up to their end of the covenant.  The glory of this covenant faded because of the “If.”

     This was reflected in Moses’ appearance when he received the word of the Lord.  The Bible informs us, “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not realize that the skin of his face was shining because he had been speaking with the Lord.  When Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, they were amazed that the skin of his face was shining, so they were afraid to come close to him” (Exodus 34:29-30). 

     The fear of the people was not just from the shock of Moses’ appearance.  Moses’ face was reflecting the glory of the Lord.  Of course, Moses’ face had no glory of its own.  Moses was a mortal man, corrupted by sin like the rest of us.  The shining face was a reflection of God’s glory.  It is like the moon.  The moon gives no light on its own.  Its brightness is a reflection of the sun.  In the same way, Moses’ face reflected the glory and holiness of the Lord.  That is why the people fled from him in terror.

     When Moses addressed Israel with God’s word, he left his face uncovered.  “When Moses was finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.  But whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off until he came out again” (Exodus 34:33-34).  The reason Moses covered his face was not to prevent the people from seeing the Lord’s glory.  It was to prevent the people from seeing the glory fade.  St. Paul wrote, “Moses … put a veil over his face, so that the Israelites could not continue to look at the end of the radiance, as it was fading away” (2 Corinthians 3:13).  This represents the glory of the old covenant because it did not result in glory.  In fact, it resulted in condemnation because the people failed to live up to their end of it.  Jesus, however, reveals a glory that will not fade away.

     When Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the mountain, he gave them a glimpse of the glory to come.  “While he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothing became dazzling white.  Just then, two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with him!  They appeared in glory and were talking about his departure, which he was going to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem” (Luke 9:29-31).  Jesus reveals a glory that will not fade away.  The glory on the mountain was undeniable, but it was temporary.  Eternal glory would be achieved through Jesus’ departure, or exodus.  Jesus would go to another mountain at Jerusalem.  There, he would not appear in glory, but in shame and weakness as he languished on a cross.  That is where Jesus would establish a new covenant which would not be flawed and which would not fail.

     Jesus reveals a glory that will not fade away by establishing a new, better, and everlasting covenant.  To ensure that this covenant would not fail or fade, Jesus made it a one-sided covenant.  That means that Jesus did everything to fulfill it.  To secure God’s favor, Jesus would have to keep all of God’s commands.  He not only did it, he received the Father’s approval which Peter, James, and John heard for themselves.  “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 17:5).  Jesus earned God’s good pleasure by living up to all the demands of God’s Law.  If Jesus had not done this, then Jesus would be of no benefit to you.

     Jesus continued to live under God’s pleasure by dying under God’s curse.  Just as the old covenant was ratified by blood, so the new covenant is, too.  Jesus shed his innocent blood to restore our relationship with God the Father.  That holy, precious blood redeems us from sin, reckons us righteous, and reconciles us to God the Father.  In the Old Testament, the people were put under the covenant by having blood sprinkled on them.  You have become beneficiaries of this new covenant through the waters of Holy Baptism being sprinkled on you.  In baptism, you have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. 

     All this Jesus did on his own.  As Isaiah had foretold, “He saw that there was no one.  He was appalled that there was no one who could intervene.  So his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness supported him” (Isaiah 59:16).  Jesus has established and ratified this new covenant on his own.  He satisfied the demands of the Law by his innocent life.  He satisfied the punishment of the Law by his sacrificial death.  He overcame the grave by his bodily resurrection.  He opened heaven by his ascension.  And he will come again to gather his people to him on the Last Day.

     All this Jesus has accomplished for you.  And he does not attach an “If” to it.  Jesus does not tell you, “You will be saved if you live a life that proves you are worthy.”  He does not tie a condition on it, saying, “You are forgiven of your sins if you never do that again.”  He does not even suggest, “You will be a Christian if you believe strongly or sincerely enough.”  If salvation hinges on an “If,” the new covenant is no better than the old covenant.  Then your salvation falls back on something you must do.  But the glory of the new covenant does not fade or fail because Jesus made it one-sided.  Jesus did the work.  He sends his Holy Spirit to create the faith that saves.  And the Lord works and continues to strengthen and keep you in this saving faith.  That is why Jesus’ new covenant is not flawed and will not fail.  You and I receive its benefits and rejoice in its blessings which endure forever.  Jesus reveals a glory that will never fade.

     And so that your faith will continue to be strengthened and kept in the one true faith, Jesus invites you to partake in this new covenant in a precious feast.  Rather than let you worry about how genuinely or sincerely or strongly you believe his promises, Jesus gives you something solid and tangible.  He connects this new covenant to the Sacrament of the Altar.  Here, you get to eat the body of our Lord—the body which has overcome death and lives and reigns forever.  Here, you get to drink the blood of the Lord—the blood which was poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.  This bread and wine are not symbolic anymore than Jesus’ sufferings and death were symbolic.  St. Paul states, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:16)?

     Jesus reveals a glory that will never fade.  We catch a glimpse of that glory at Jesus’ transfiguration.  Jesus appeared in glory, as did the saints of the past, Moses and Elijah.  They appeared with Jesus in glorified bodies and spoke with the Lord as one speaks with a friend.  All the pains and sorrows of the past were forgotten—and Moses and Elijah had endured a lot.  Their focus was on the new covenant Jesus would establish and fulfill in Jerusalem.  Since Jesus has fulfilled all things, we can look forward to the same glory enjoyed by Moses and Elijah.  They had departed from this earth centuries before Jesus’ coming, and their glory had not faded. 

     The Lord will fulfill in us the words of the prophet Daniel: “Those who have insight will shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who bring many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).  Once again, this is the Lord’s doing.  He who has loved us acted to redeem us.  He who redeemed us acted to bring us to the saving faith.  He who brought us into the faith continues to sustain and to strengthen us in this faith through his word and sacraments.  And he will reward the faith he has created in us by fulfilling his promises to us.  He will bring us into everlasting glory where we will radiate the glory seen in Elijah, Moses, and in Jesus himself.  Right now, that glory is hidden.  “Dear friends, we are children of God now, but what we will be has not yet been revealed.  We know that when he is revealed we will be like him” (1 John 3:2).  Jesus reveals a glory that will never fade away.  And soon enough, he will transfigure us into a glory that will never spoil, fade, or perish.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

YouTube -- Transfiguration (February 11, 2024)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, February 11, 2024.

Sermon -- Transfiguration (February 11, 2024)

MARK 9:2-9

TO KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT, LISTEN TO HIM.

In the name + of Jesus.

     St. Mark’s Gospel reading begins with the words, “After six days” (Mark 9:2).  This begs the question, “What happened a week earlier that St. Mark would note the timing?”  Looking back in the previous verses, we see that one week prior Peter had given the confession, “You are the Christ” (Mark 8:29). 

     That confession carried some great expectations about who the Christ would be and what he would do.  Up to this point in time, no one had claimed to be the Messiah.  So, when Peter made this confession and when Jesus acknowledged it was true, this was a monumental moment for the people of Israel and, in fact, for the world.

     Immediately after Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus foretold his sufferings, death, and resurrection.  Yes, Jesus is the Messiah, and that means he will suffer, die, and rise.  The Scriptures had foretold this many times.  Unfortunately, the disciples did not get it.  They had preconceived notions about what the Christ would do.

     One of the promises made regarding the Christ—and it was repeated to the Virgin Mary when Jesus was conceived in her—is that “the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32-33).  Many Jews expected that their Messiah would establish a kingdom, elevate the people of Israel, destroy the enemies of God’s people, and reign forever over heaven and earth.  Well, that is sort of true.  The Messiah does come to do all those things, but not in an earthly sense.  He does not come to set up a throne in Jerusalem.  He does not come to establish the nation of Israel as the supreme nation on earth.  He does not come to destroy the Romans or to drive them out of Palestine.  But he does live and reign over heaven and earth for the good of his Church.

     The worldly expectations of the Messiah were assumed by the people of Israel, including the apostles themselves.  Even as Jesus was about to ascend to heaven, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel” (Acts 1:6)?  It was a long-held belief, and it took a long time to purge from their mentality.  To this day, people think Jesus will provide worldly glory or peace.  But to know what to expect, listen to him.

     This is likely why Jesus’ transfiguration was presented to such a limited audience.  “Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.  And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus” (Mark 1:2-4).  Peter’s response was to tell Jesus that it was good that they were there. 

     This word “good” conveys a sense of being useful.  There were ready hands to put up shelters for Jesus and the prophets.  Sure, it wasn’t Jerusalem, but it was a place for the glorious kingdom to start.  Sure, it was not an army of soldiers or angels, but the prophets were present to help fulfill their promises.  And, of course, Jesus radiated with divine glory.  Who would not fall to his knees in submission before him?  If they didn’t, Jesus would slay them in his might and glory, wouldn’t he?  To Peter, James, and John, the Messianic kingdom was breaking out right in front of them.  This is what they expected their Messiah to be.  They were sort of right, but mostly wrong.  To know what to expect, they needed to listen to him.  This was not the plan Jesus had revealed to them only six days earlier.

     Our expectations of Jesus are often misconceptions, too.  We are sort of right in what we expect because we have heard God’s word.  But like the apostles, we have made assumptions about how the promises of God should be applied to us.  We take it upon ourselves to determine what kind of comfort we should have and what kind of blessings God should provide.  To know what to expect, listen to him; but listen carefully.

     St. Paul wrote to the Romans, “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28).  This promise gives amazing comfort until we decide what this “good” should look like.  “My bills should be paid.  My health should be strong.  Any enemies I have should be put to shame.”  That might be what you think is good, but that is not necessarily what God thinks is good for you.  You and I think about what will be good for us immediately, in other words, what will make life easy, fun, or glorious.  What I think is good is what will make me happy by the end of the day.  But God thinks of the eternal picture—what will get you into the heavenly kingdom?  God may decide that it is good for you to bear a cross—not fun, but good.  If that is what drives you to pray more often, if that is what gets you to long for the heavenly kingdom instead of worldly pleasures, then it is good—not easy, but good.  Whatever God chooses to lay on you, he will always use it for your eternal good.  To know what to expect, listen to him.

     Here is another Bible verse that gets badly misused: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).  How many people use this verse to insist they will win every battle, overcome every obstacle, and succeed in every endeavor?  After all, if God’s strength is unlimited, isn’t my potential unlimited?  But not everyone can be the CEO of the company.  Not everyone gets a gold medal at the Olympics.  Not everyone gets to the Super Bowl.  Not everyone escapes poverty or recovers from illness.  So, is this verse only true for the successful?  Does it not apply to those who suffer, or to those who humbly live and serve without recognition or rewards?

     To know what to expect, listen to God’s word.  In this case, context will help you.  St. Paul did not claim that he would win every contest or enjoy endless success because God would give him the power.  St. Paul had written, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need” (Philippians 4:11-12).  The Bible does not promise that God’s people will dominate.  The promise is that, no matter what circumstance you endure in this life, the Lord will not abandon you.  He will strengthen you so that you will endure.  To know what to expect, listen to him.

     Many in American Christianity have embraced these misconceptions.  To enjoy a life of personal gain and pleasure is very appealing.  Who wouldn’t want a life that is fun, easy, pleasing, and comfortable?  We have adopted long-held beliefs which need to be purged from us.  Repent of trusting in promises that God has not made.  To know what to expect, listen to him.

     St. Mark wrote that Elijah and Moses “were talking with Jesus” (Mark 9:4).  If Peter, James, and John had listened instead of making plans to build shelters, they would have benefited.  Instead, the heavenly Father had to refocus their attention.  “A cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, ‘This is my beloved Son; listen to him’” (Mark 9:7).  The glory of Jesus would not be established on that mountain with such a limited audience.  The glory of Jesus would be established on a different hill in full view of the Passover pilgrims at Jerusalem.  But rather than radiate with divine splendor, Jesus would bleed and die in shame.

     If you listen to him, you know that this is what is to be expected.  Isaiah had foretold that the ransom price paid to redeem you would not be pretty.  “His appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind” (Isaiah 52:14).  At the transfiguration, his appearance was amazing; at the crucifixion, his appearance was grotesque.  At the transfiguration, his form was dazzling; at the crucifixion, his form was distorted.  In our minds, Jesus’ death was romantic; in reality, Jesus’ death was abhorrent.  But that is because our sins are abhorrent.  Sin deserves God’s wrath.  Sin earns a cursed death.  Sin produces a damning sentence of judgment. 

     To know what to expect, listen to him.  He tells us what sins deserve, but he also tells us that he has taken the blows for us.  For all the times we preferred our glory over God’s, for all the times we craved to live in our fantasies rather than trust God’s direction, for all the times we were angry at God for failing to live up to promises he never made but we thought he should have, for all these sins and more, Jesus willingly put himself in the crosshairs of God’s wrath and punishment.  Was it fun?  No, but it was good.  Was it easy?  No, but it was good.  It was good for you, which is why Jesus endured it.  All he suffered, he did for you, for your salvation, and for your peace.  Why should we expect anything different?  Listen to him: “He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).   

     Before Jesus suffered the rejection, the betrayal, the beatings, the shame, and the death at the cross, Jesus revealed his divine glory to Peter, James, and John.  “As they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead” (Mark 9:9).  Would it have benefited the other apostles if they had seen Jesus’ glory before they witnessed his terrible shame, or at least had known about it?  I don’t know.  Jesus seemed to think it would not have.  Rather than gawk at Jesus’ appearance, it was better to listen to Jesus’ teaching.  His momentary glory was not something to be preserved or proclaimed.  Rather, Jesus went to the cross to secure everlasting glory—both for himself and for us.

     Jesus revealed his divine glory at the transfiguration.  He never lost his divine glory because he never stopped being God.  But that that glory remained veiled until Jesus’ death.  After his resurrection, Jesus no longer veiled his glory.  The man, Jesus, was exalted and given all authority, honor, and glory which are his forevermore.  Just as Jesus’ humanity was exalted, so will yours be.  At the resurrection of the dead, you will receive the glory Jesus has won for you, and you will shine like stars.  It will not be a momentary flash as it was at the transfiguration, but an everlasting glory that will never spoil, fade, or perish.  You can expect it, because Jesus has told you so.  Listen to him.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

YouTube -- Last Sunday after Epiphany: Transfiguration (February 19, 2023)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, February 19, 2023.

Sermon -- Last Sunday after Epiphany: Transfiguration (February 19, 2023)

EXODUS 24:9-18

THE LORD SUMMONS US TO SEE HIS GLORY.

In the name + of Jesus.

     When the Lord chooses to reveal himself, he does it by hiding himself.  Throughout the Old Testament, the Lord hid himself in a cloud.  Think of Israel being led through the wilderness with a pillar of cloud by day.  The Lord also appeared to Israel at Mt. Sinai hidden under a cloud.  God does not appear to mankind in his bare glory.  The Lord told Moses why.  When Moses had asked the Lord to show him his glory, the Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ … But you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live” (Exodus 33:19-20).  When the Lord wants to reveal himself, he hides himself.  If he does not, everyone would flee from him in terror.  The most obvious way God reveals himself by hiding is through Jesus.  God hid himself under the flesh and blood of Jesus, who appeared to people as an average Jewish man.  In this way, God could dwell with people so that they could approach him without fear. 

     The Lord summons us to see his glory, but he keeps it hidden under humble things.  So it was with the people of Israel.  God hid himself in a cloud; but even the hidden glory of God was enough to terrify the people of Israel.  None of them dared to climb to mountain to take a good look at God.  Like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, they cowered before God in fear.  Even when Moses described the vision of God to the seventy elders of Israel, he only described the purity of the pavement.

     God is holy.  We are not.  Therefore, we learned the First Commandment this way: “You shall have no other gods.  What does this mean?  We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things” (Luther’s Small Catechism).  Whoever does not fear God is a fool.  God is the source of life and all that exists.  As the source of life, he also determines what is good and evil in life.  He is accountable to no one, and all people are accountable to him.  You may hate that, but that does not make it less true.  It’s what it means that he is God.  He is all-knowing, so he cannot be fooled by our excuses.  He is just, so he will not let anything slide.  He is all-powerful, so his judgment cannot be avoided.  Now you can appreciate why the Israelites and the disciples both were terrified by the sight of God’s glory.  If it does not cause you to fear God, you are in denial.

     God summons us to see his glory.  Depending upon what you know about God, this is either comforting or scary.  If you are fascinated by displays of raw power, it is usually because you are watching them from a distance.  If you watch footage of an atomic bomb or a hurricane, it is fascinating.  If you are watching from your front porch, it is terrifying.  What does God want us to see when he reveals his glory?  His power?  His holiness?  His justice?  Standing in God’s presence has always terrified people.  Even standing before someone with limited power and authority is enough to strike fear into our hearts.

     Consider the days of Joseph when he ruled in Egypt.  His brothers had come down to Egypt to buy grain so that they could survive an intense famine.  Joseph treated them harshly.  He accused them of being spies.  The brothers had reason to fear that Joseph would treat them like a Chinese spy balloon.  On a return visit, Joseph summoned his brothers to join him as his residence for a meal.  How do you think his brothers felt about that?  They were probably wondering if this was a trap.  Would they all be killed?  Enslaved?  Tortured?  They were terrified of Joseph, and they were in no position to refuse his invitation.  Were they able to eat at all?  The closest you and I have come to such a nervous meal was probably on a first date.  But that is nothing compared to the fear of being summoned to the home of someone with such great power and with legitimate reasons to crush you.

     When Joseph finally revealed who he really was, his brothers were not set at ease too quickly.  They knew they had sinned against him, and they knew Joseph was in a position to take his revenge.  But Joseph spoke kindly to them.  He declared his brothers forgiven.  He treated them with mercy, grace, and lavish hospitality.  This is what enabled his brothers to be at peace and to feast with joy.

     The Lord summons you to see his glory.  And yes, God’s glory includes that he is all-knowing, all-powerful, eternal, and holy, but those things do not produce comfort and peace.  No one is saved because God is all-knowing, all-powerful, eternal, and holy.  So, God reveals himself as loving, merciful, and gracious.  When God summoned Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel to him, God made it clear that it was an invitation of peace.  He made himself known as a loving Father and a faithful Redeemer.  Moses wrote, “He did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank” (Exodus 24:11).  Moses and everyone with him were able to rejoice in God’s goodness, kindness, and compassion.  Those who are summoned into God’s presence come as his honored guests.

     The Lord summons you to see his glory.  To show you that his summons is an invitation of peace and not a threat of judgment, God revealed his glory to you through Jesus Christ.  For the majority of Jesus’ life, the glory of God was hidden behind Jewish flesh.  Shortly before Jesus began to make his journey to Jerusalem to suffer and die, he took Peter, James, and John up to a mountain top at night.  There, Jesus did what he usually did; he prayed.  The disciples did what they usually did; they fell asleep.  When the disciples were stirred from their sleep, they saw that Jesus’ form was transfigured.  The glory of God permeated his garments.  The radiance of his divine nature shown through his face.  For a moment, the glory of the Lord seeped through Jesus’ humanity, and they got to see it.  The Lord had summoned them to see his glory.

     Then the glory increased.  “Behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’  When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified” (Matthew 17:5-6).  While the disciples were not accustomed to seeing his glory, they were accustomed to seeing Jesus.  They were not accustomed to the Father.  When the Father appeared, he hid himself—surprise, surprise—in a cloud!  But even the hidden glory was enough to terrify the disciples.  Since there was nowhere to hide, they hit the ground in fear.  But God had not come to threaten them.  He had come to instruct them: “This is my Son; listen to him” (Matthew 17:6).  This is how they would recognize the glory of the Lord.  This is also how the Israelites would recognize the glory of the Lord.  “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction’” (Exodus 24:11).  To know the glory of the Lord, we must listen to him.

     The Lord summons us to see his glory.  Peter, James, and John saw it, and they wanted the glorious vision to last.  But that is not what Jesus had told them would happen.  The instruction, “Listen to him” (Matthew 17:6), was needed.  Jesus had told them where the glory of the Christ would be seen—in his sufferings and death.

     The Lord summons us to see his glory through Jesus’ sufferings and death.  It is true that God’s glory includes the fact that he is all-knowing, all-powerful, just, and holy.  But that glory does not save us.  The glory that saves us is God’s mercy, compassion, and love.  The glory that comforts and sustains us is God’s forgiveness.  That forgiveness was won through Jesus’ sufferings and death.

     The Lord summons us to see his glory, which we will consider throughout the Lenten season.  There, we will see Jesus endure depths of suffering that we cannot comprehend.  Because the Lord is all-knowing, he knows every one of our sins.  That means when Jesus pays for our sins, he did not miss anything.  The full payment was made.  All your sins are pardoned.  Because the Lord is just, Jesus stepped in on behalf of us all.  Justice means that the guilty must be punished.  And this is what we hear from the Bible: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13).  So, in Christ all guilt was punished.  Justice has been done.  And since it would be unjust to punish sins that have been taken away, God poses no threat to you.  He treat you with kindness.  Because the Lord is almighty, none of God’s wrath was held back from his Son.  Jesus willingly gave himself into the cursed death for us all.  He consumed every drop from the cup of God’s wrath.  Now the Lord gives you the cup of blessing and salvation.  Therefore, your death will not be cursed. 

     When the hour of death comes, God will summon you not only to see his full glory, but also to dwell in it and even to partake in it.  You will eat and drink with him in the heavenly banquet.  There will be no apprehension or anxiety.  If the Lord did not raise his hand against the seventy elders of Israel, how much less would he threaten you who have been covered in the blood of Jesus!  God has revealed himself to you as the God who saves you, who speaks tenderly to you, and who remains faithful to you no matter what is going on in your life.  This world is chaotic and violent.  We hear of wars and rumors of wars.  There are earthquakes in various places.  The love of many grows cold.  But the kingdom of God is a place of peace and rest.  And the glory that awaits is a joyous, eternal feast.  Oh, how the Lord wants you to share in that glory!

     For now, the glory of the Lord is hidden under humble things.  He summons you again to this altar to eat and drink with him.  Granted, it does not look glorious.  But, listen to him!  “This is my body, given for you.  This is my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”  The holy things are given for your highest good—to strengthen and to keep you in the one, true faith until life everlasting.  You don’t believe it because it is obvious, but because that’s what Jesus tells you.  Listen to him, and you will behold his glory.

     The Lord reveals himself to you as he hides himself under common things—bread and wine, water and word.  By these, he delivers his salvation to you.  By means of these, he will summon you to the eternal feast.  There, you will see God in his bare glory and live. 

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

YouTube -- Transfiguration (February 27, 2022)

Here is the service from Sunday, February 27, 2022.

Sermon -- Transfiguration (February 27, 2022)

2 CORINTHIANS 4:3-6

GOD’S WORD ENLIGHTENS US TO SEE JESUS’ GLORY.

In the name + of Jesus.

      It was only a week prior that Jesus had asked his disciples who the people thought he was.  Based on what they had seen, the people had many guesses.  Based on Jesus’ words, the apostles made a right confession.  Peter spoke for all the apostles: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).  Through the word which was preached, the Holy Spirit had enlightened them.  Jesus was more than a healer, more than a teacher.  Yes, he was those things, but he is much greater.  “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).  They already knew it.  They did not need more evidence.  They got it anyway.

     Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the mountain top.  There, he was transfigured before them.  He radiated glory and divinity.  He conversed with the sainted prophets, Moses and Elijah.  The presence of God the Father was veiled by a cloud which had enveloped them.  Then they heard his voice: “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him” (Luke 9:35)!  St. Luke recorded their unlikely reaction to seeing Jesus in glory, to seeing the Son of God look like the Son of God: “They kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen” (Luke 9:36). 

     How could they say nothing about this?  Wouldn’t Jesus’ transfiguration be all the proof anyone needed to be convinced of Jesus’ identity?  Wouldn’t more visions mean more believers?  The short answer is, “No.”  Faith in Jesus would not come by Jesus showing off his divinity.  The miracles did not convince Jesus’ enemies of anything.  They accused him of being in cahoots with the devil.  Critics of the Bible still dismiss evidence of Jesus’ divinity.  Even Jesus’ transfiguration is explained away, as critics assert that the sunrise hit Jesus in a way that made him look like he was radiating glory.  Therefore, the Father’s message to the disciples was not, “Look at him,” but, “Listen to him” (Luke 9:35)!  Faith comes by hearing.  God reveals his wisdom, his will, and his glory through the preaching of his word.  God’s Word enlightens us to see Jesus’ glory.

     That’s what St. Paul wrote the Corinthians about in today’s epistle lesson.  Not everyone believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.  To those who do not believe, the Gospel remains hidden.  He explains why.  “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).  The god of this age is the devil.  He holds claim on all people because everyone enters the world a sinner.  The devil continues to lie and deceive to keep people blinded in unbelief.  He does not want anyone to see Jesus as the Savior or to think that they have any real need for him.  In this way, the devil continues to keep his domain over people.

     To be blinded to the Gospel is not to be ignorant of it.  Even atheists are acquainted with Bible facts.  They know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  They know that Jesus died on the cross.  They know that we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday.  But they don’t believe any of it has any worth.  They don’t put their hope in Jesus any more than they would put their faith in Julius Caesar or Queen Victoria.  We are not saved by knowledge of facts.  Salvation is by faith in God’s promises.  God’s word enlightens us to see Jesus’ glory.  Jesus’ glory is that the Lord became a man to rescue mankind from sin, death, and the devil.  The only way you know that Jesus has done this is that God revealed it to you through his word.  The only reason you believe that Jesus has done this for you is because the Holy Spirit has enlightened you through God’s word.  Therefore, the Father urges you, “Listen to him” (Luke 9:35)!  God’s word enlightens us to see Jesus’ glory.

     “Listen to him!”  If you are not paying attention to his word, you may lose focus on the word that saves.  You may be led to trust in worldly arguments which mock God’s word.  You may confuse political opinions with God’s word.  You may be distracted by conspiracies which stir up passions but produce neither love nor mercy.  You may end up clinging to promises that God did not make.  God the Father commanded, “Listen to him!” lest you become blinded again.

     What deceives us is what we observe or what we feel.  We see and feel injustice, hardship, pain, and sorrow.  The devil uses our frustrations to challenge God’s love and faithfulness to us.  For example, we see that war has come upon Ukraine.  People’s homes and lives are being disrupted, if not destroyed.  With the devastation of war will also come a lack of supplies and an increase of disease.  Even though we are not suffering personally, we wonder why God would let the evils of war happen.  The Ukrainians are especially wondering where God is and why he is not acting.

     Our sufferings might pale in comparison, but we still bear our own personal burdens.  Our joints ache.  Eyesight fades.  Energy bills increase.  Potholes blow out tires.  Our colleagues are uncaring.  Loved ones die.  Our pains and losses and frustrations grow.  In addition, we feel the burden of our sins with guilt, regret, and broken relationships.  We know that the devil is at war with us because we can feel the devastating effects he has on our lives and hearts and minds.  And we wonder, “Where is God?” 

     What you see and feel may be hard, but the Father did not tell us to pay attention to what we see.  He does not tell us to put our trust in how we feel.  “Listen to him!” is the command.  Faith does not come by looking or feeling or thinking.  Faith comes from hearing the message.  God’s word enlightens us to see Jesus’ glory. 

     Peter, James, and John saw the glory of Jesus on the mountain top.  It is safe to say they were impressed.  Peter crafted a plan to keep that glory.  “Master, it is good that we are here.  Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah” (Luke 9:33).  Peter loved what he saw, and he wanted to preserve it.  In the presence of Jesus’ glory, there was no illness.  There was no war.  There was no sorrow or pain or loss.  Everything was glory.  But do you know what wasn’t there on that mountain in that moment of radiant glory?  Forgiveness of sins.  Salvation.  The hope of life everlasting.  These did not come through Jesus’ transfiguration.  So, the message, again, is not “Look at him!”  It is, “Listen to him” (Luke 9:35)!  God’s word enlightens us to see Jesus’ glory.

     If Peter, James, and John had been listening to Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, they would not have been distracted by what they saw and felt.  “Moses and Elijah … spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:30-31).  Jesus’ departure was his death.  That is where Jesus’ glory is truly revealed.  That is where God the Father’s love is demonstrated to sinners.  God the Father sent Jesus not to shine with radiant glory, but to die in shame and weakness. 

     When Jesus was crucified, what the people in Jerusalem saw was a popular teacher wrongly accused by jealous rabbis and priests.  They saw Jesus sacrificed for the sake of a self-serving Roman governor who wanted to prevent civil unrest.  The women on the road wept and wailed as Jesus carried his cross out to Golgotha because they saw this poor man suffering so horribly.  Indeed, it was unjust and pathetic.  But God’s word has enlightened you to know what was really going on.  None of this was accidental.  Jesus’ sufferings were by divine design.  Jesus’ innocent death had been divinely promised. 

     God’s word enlightens us to see Jesus’ glory.  His glory is that he loves sinners and saves them.  God’s word enlightens you to believe the truth.  Yes, Jesus was falsely accused; he died for sins that he did not commit—ours.  Yes, Jesus was crucified for self-serving judgments—our judgments about what is right and fair.  Yes, Jesus was put to death to prevent unrest.  By dying for our sins, Jesus removes the restless spirit in us and gives us a conscience that has peace with God.  For he has taken away our sins and delivered us from God’s wrath.

     God’s word enlightens us to see Jesus’ glory.  “God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).  The Lord of glory has driven the darkness from your heart so that you are no longer deceived by Satan’s lies.  Your glory is not in sins that damn, in wealth that deceives, or in a world that is dying.  It is in Jesus who saves.  Jesus’ glory was revealed again when he rose from the dead.  His resurrection means victory over death.  You will be raised from you grave and dwell in God’s glorious presence.  How can you know that for sure?  “Listen to him!”  It is what Jesus gives to all who believe his words.  Keep listening to him so that you will be preserved in the saving faith.  By listening to him, you will not be seduced back into the sins you have been freed from.  By listening to him, you will not be deceived by arguments which have the appearance of wisdom but still lead to death.  

     God’s word enlightens you to see Jesus’ glory.  That same word enlightens you to see that you, too, will be glorified.  Right now, you live by faith.  You believe that you are children of God.  It does not look like it.  It may not feel like it.  You don’t really act like it.  But you are.  How do you know?  God says so.  Listen to him.  The day is coming when you will no longer believe you are children of God; you will see it.  This is what the Lord says: “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him” (1 John 3:2).  God’s word enlightens you to know that you, too, will appear in glory when Jesus comes again.

     Until that day, listen to him.  You need his word for comfort, hope, and peace.  You will still endure sorrow, pain, and loss.  The world will fight its wars, gratify its greed, and assert its importance.  But God’s word enlightens you to see that your hope and your glory are with Jesus.  His glory is that he has mercy upon you and saves you.  Nothing the world can do or say will ever nullify that.  The risen Savior forever lives and reigns for your good.  Those who see it only see it by listening to God’s word.  And those who listen to God’s word are saved by it.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

YouTube -- Transfiguration of our Lord (February 14, 2021)

 Here is the service from Sunday, February 14, 2021.

Sermon -- Transfiguration of our Lord (February 14, 2021)

MARK 9:2-9

TO SEE THE GLORY, YOU MUST LISTEN.

In the name + of Jesus.

     We are on the threshold of Lent—a season which is somber and highlights our sinfulness.  But before we enter Lent, we pause for a moment to reflect on the glory of Jesus.  The glory of Jesus was seen only in glimpses throughout his ministry.  On the night Jesus was born, the glory of the Lord was not really seen in the manger.  The eyes which beheld the baby Jesus saw a Jewish baby.  It was only the message of the angel which revealed that this baby is the Christ and the Lord.  Jesus taught and acted as one with authority.  He commanded and the demons were driven out.  He touched and bodies were healed.  He even forgave the sins of men.  While the eyes saw the miraculous signs, those same eyes beheld a Jewish man.  Many never saw beyond that.  Many marveled.  Others were offended.  Even Jesus’ own disciples, after he silenced the winds and the waves on the Sea of Galilee, wondered, “Who is this?”  They caught the glimpse of Jesus’ glory, but seeing was not enough.  To really see his glory, they had to listen to his words.  It is the words which reveal who this really is and what he comes to do.

     On Transfiguration Sunday, we see the glory of the Lord in Jesus.  Here, it is most vivid, most striking, most pronounced.  We see Jesus as true God, just as we sing at Christmas: “Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity” (Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, v 2).  But on the mountain, the veil was pulled back.  The disciples saw the Deity more than the incarnation.  “He was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.  And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.” (Mark 9:2-4) 

     The glory was obvious.  The Son of Man looked like the Son of God.  Even the saints of the past made an appearance.  Prophets who had foretold the Christ appeared with the Christ.  It certainly was worth gazing at and soaking in.  That’s why Peter suggested putting up three tabernacles: “one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (Mark 9:5)  This way, others could come up to the mountain.  They could see the glory, too.  But like the miracles, this was only to be a glimpse of Jesus’ glory.  To really see the glory, you must listen.

     Peter, James, and John would have found much more comfort in listening than in gazing.  Yes, Moses and Elijah were there, but what were they doing?  “They were talking with Jesus.” (Mark 9:4)  Wouldn’t it have been wonderful if St. Mark had recorded what they were talking about as well as what it looked like?  While we don’t have those words recorded, the Holy Spirit has preserved the words of Moses and Elijah in the Old Testament.  We have plenty to ponder there.  In addition, God the Father redirected the attention of Peter, James, and John.  “A cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, ‘This is my beloved Son; listen to him.’” (Mark 9:7)  To see the glory, you must listen.

     Without a doubt, what Peter, James, and John saw was glorious.  They got a glimpse of the Church which lives in glory.  Our Lord is the God of the living.  Peter, James, and John got to see that the saints of the past are alive and well.  Moses and Elijah were not figments of their imagination.  Though believers may depart from life on earth, they continually live in the kingdom of God.  And so it is for your loved ones who die in the Christian faith.  Though their bodies have given out, their souls go to dwell in the Lord’s glory and communicate with him.  They live together with Moses, Elijah, and all the saints who have gone before us.

     But the glory at Jesus’ transfiguration was only a glimpse.  His fuller glory was to come at Mt. Calvary.  When you look around the church, you notice that we have crosses and crucifixes on display.  I don’t think we have any rendition of the transfiguration of our Lord, except on the bulletin cover.  The reason we focus on what is gruesome is because of the word of the Lord.  To see the glory, you must listen. 

     There was no payment for sins on the mount of Transfiguration.  Satan was not crushed underfoot on that mountain.  Death was not overcome on that mountain.  Peter, James, and John found reasons to be amazed, but not salvation.  The scene on the mount of transfiguration was something to stare at in amazement; the scene on Mt. Calvary was something that would make you turn your head and gag.  But that is where God’s glory was truly seen; for that is where sins were paid for.  That is where death was being battled.  That is where Satan lost his grip on you.  To see that glory, you must listen.

    Many people saw Jesus and the works he performed.  This is why they brought all their sick people to Jesus.  They sang their praises of Jesus, declaring, “He has done everything well.  He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak!” (Mark 7:37)  Now, that was true, but it misses the point.  They came for bodily cures, but not for forgiveness of sins.  Seeing the miracles did not make people trust in Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  Some said he was John the Baptist.  Others said he was Elijah or one of the prophets of old.  So much for simple observation.  To see the glory, you must listen.

     God the Father tells us what to pay attention to when it comes to Jesus.  “A cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, ‘This is my beloved Son; listen to him.’” (Mark 9:7)  The apostles had listened fairly well.  They all confessed to Jesus, “You are the Christ.” (Mark 8:29)  But then they failed to listen to everything Jesus had told them.  Jesus told them what his mission was and how they would truly see his glory.  “He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.  And he said this plainly.” (Mark 8:31-32)  Peter did not remember this.  He preferred three tents so that Jesus, Moses, and Elijah could always be visited, so that everyone could bask in a moment of glory.

     We always long for glory that we can see or feel.  We delight in our victories because others see our accomplishments, and it makes us feel good.  We delight in the benefits that result from earthly glory.  We get fame and fortune, popularity, pride, and power.  We also fall into the temptation of finding our value in such glory.  We feel that we are failures if we don’t have our moments of glory, or if we don’t have them often enough.  If you feel that your worth is connected to how the world sees you (or how you think the world sees you), you are being fed a line by the devil.  Worldly glory feels good for a moment, just as sins feel good for a moment.  In both cases, the feelings are addictive.  We crave the rush we get from the admiration we receive, just as we crave the thrill from the sins which gratify our base desires.  And in both cases—in our lust for glory and in our lust for sins—the good feelings are deceptive and fleeting.  If you crave it, if you feed it, and even if your moment of glory is well deserved, you will end up feeling hollow.  The glory that Peter, James, and John witnessed on the mountain was never going to be permanent—not for them.  Perfect and permanent glory does not exist on this earth.  It is always soiled, interrupted, or stolen.  Even if you are impressed by it, it will not last.  Just ask Tiglath-Pileser, Amenhotep, and Diocletian.  “Who?” you ask?  Oh, those were kings and emperors.  Aren’t you impressed?  No, because no one envies kings or kingdoms lying in dust.

     Jesus delivers to you a greater glory.  He rescues you from the corrupted, deceptive glories of the earth and even from the dust of death.  If you want to see that glory, you must listen to him.  He tells you what he does to atone for your sins of loving the world and its glory.  It is shown to you by the bloody, shameful death he suffers for you.  He was assigned the guilt for all sins so that you are found innocent.  He was stripped of his garments so that you are clothed in his righteousness.  He was crowned with thorns so that you will be crowned with glory.  He was put to death so that you will have everlasting life.  As horrid as crucifixion looked, and as brutally as Jesus was mocked while he was enduring it, Jesus tells you that all of it is for the payment of your sins and for the deliverance out of death into a life of immortal glory.  This is the glory of the Lord—that he loves and saves sinners.  It does not look like it, but that is what is proclaimed.  To see the glory, you must listen.

    It is also necessary to listen to him to know how you can be sure you have this glory.  If you believe your own story, you will try to convince yourself that you are destined for eternal life—either because you believe you are good enough or because you don’t want the alternative.  But you also know your sins, so you cannot trust your own goodness.  Your friends might tell you how wonderful you are, but as flattering as it is to have people glorify your name, their fondness of you won’t save you.  To see eternal glory, you must listen to Jesus and no one else.

     Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. (1 Peter 1:3-4)  It is kept in heaven for you, but it is delivered here to you on earth.  To see this glory, listen to him.  Jesus promises, “Whoever believes and his baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16)  He summons you to eat and drink his body and blood for the forgiveness of your sins.  He tells you that he is your refuge and strength—your refuge from sin and death, and your strength against deception and temptation.  Jesus tells you that you are children of God.  Granted, that is not a glory you can see and feel right now, but this is God’s declaration.  If you listen to him, you can be assured of your salvation. 

      On the Last Day at the resurrection of all flesh, the Lord Jesus will come again in his everlasting glory.  On that day, you will appear and feel like the children of God he declares you to be.  On that day, Jesus will deliver you into the kingdom where the glory will never fade or fail.  On that day, you will not merely catch a glimpse of Jesus in his glory, but you will dwell with him in glory forevermore.  To see that everlasting glory, listen to him.  For this is the promise of God for you. 

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Sermon -- Transfiguration of our Lord (February 23, 2020)

2 PETER 1:16-21

HERE IS GLORY 

YOU CAN BE SURE OF.

In the name + of Jesus.

     Simon Peter was about to die.  He had been arrested for preaching about Jesus.  It was not the first time.  Peter had spent more than three decades boldly proclaiming Jesus who is both God and man, who was both crucified and risen, who ascended into heaven and will come again to judge the living and the dead.  Soon, the executioner would silence his voice.  But Simon Peter still had time to make sure that they could not silence the Gospel.  He wrote one final epistle which was to be read, copied, and circulated among all the Christian churches.  To this day, God's people read it and are encouraged by it.
     In our epistle reading, Simon Peter wants to remind us about the things he personally saw and heard with Jesus.  He does not want Christians to forget what their faith rests on, and he does not want us to be deceived into thinking that we believe in fantasies or fairy tales.  This was especially true for his original audience since they were also suffering for the faith they held and confessed.  Peter wrote: “We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,' we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.” (2 Peter 1:16-18) 
     Here is glory you can be sure of.  In the days of Simon Peter, skeptics were mocking the Christians for their faith.  The Christians believed that Jesus had redeemed them and that he was coming again to bring them into an eternal kingdom of glory.  But Jesus had not returned.  So, skeptics mocked them: “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:4)  Christians may have had a hard time trying to explain why Jesus was not returning.  They may have even felt duped.  And if you are suffering and dying for your faith, the last thing you need is to wonder if you've been duped all along.
     The challenge today is not much different.  Even so-called Christian scholars are teaching that the Gospel accounts of Jesus are filled with cleverly devised myths.  The largest Lutheran church body in America (ELCA) explicitly teaches that.  So when a visitor tells me “I am Lutheran,” sadly I don't know what that means anymore.  It is also common in Christian circles to dismiss portions of the Bible as instructions for years ago which no longer apply today—as if God has repealed his word because the world has figured out a better truth.  While you may not be persecuted for the faith, you still don't need to have seeds of doubt planted in you.  When you are haunted by sins past, or all the more when you are on your death bed, the last thing you need is to be wondering: “Is all of this true?  Have I been duped my whole life about the Christian faith?  How much of this should I believe?”  If you are being mocked for your faith, you don't need to think, “Am I the only one who believes this?  Am I a fool for standing firm and taking the ridicule?”  Beware!  Satan wants to rob you of your salvation, and he uses the mouths of skeptics and worldly scholars to do it.  Their version of the truth keeps on changing, but the word of the Lord endures forever.
     Here is glory you can be sure of.  When Simon Peter wrote about Jesus, he did not write an editorial or opinion piece.  On the contrary, Peter wrote, “We were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  …We ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.” (2 Peter 1:16,18)  Peter did not tell you what he thinks; Peter reported what he witnessed.  He saw Jesus perform miraculous signs.  He heard Jesus teach about the kingdom of God.  He witnessed Jesus' agony in Gethsemane and his trial before the high priest Caiaphas.  He witnessed Jesus' empty tomb and resurrected body.  And on this day, we take note that Peter, James, and John were also witnesses of Jesus' transfiguration.  They got to see Jesus of Nazareth change in appearance so that he radiated his glory as God the Son.  And if the vision of the glorified Jesus was not enough, they witnessed the conversation with Moses and Elijah, and they heard the voice of God the Father identify and praise Jesus as his beloved Son. 
     Here is glory you can be sure of.  Peter did not concoct these things because doing so would make him rich.  He wasn't.  Peter did not create legends because it would make his life easy.  It wasn't.  Peter did not tell fairy tales to gain power over others; he had none.  Rather, he was subjected to imprisonment, flogging, and finally death.  He preached what he had seen and heard.  They glory of God was revealed in Jesus.  That glory was evident on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured, and it was but a glimpse of the glory which would be revealed when Jesus comes again to judge the living and the dead.  It is also a glimpse of what awaits us when Jesus brings us into his eternal, heavenly kingdom.  Here is glory you can be sure of, and Peter was willing to be executed for saying so.
     But don't just take Peter's word for it.  He said, “We have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place.” (2 Peter 1:19)  Peter reminds you that you have the prophets to listen to.  Through the prophets, God foretold well in advance all that was going to happen.  If you think this is all one cleverly devised myth, then stand in awe.  For this was thousands of years of testimony given through a variety of prophets and all fulfilled in one man, Jesus.  No, this is no far-fetched coincidence.  This is all divinely planned, revealed, and fulfilled. 
     Here is glory you can be sure of.  One thousand years before Jesus came, David wrote the word of the Lord: “'I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.'  ...Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled.  Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” (Psalm 2:6,12)  And Peter heard the testimony of the Lord: “This is my beloved Son.” (2 Peter 1:17)  Seven hundred years before Jesus came, Isaiah had declared, “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.” (Isaiah 42:1)  And Peter heard the Father declare, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (2 Peter 1:17)  This one, this one comes for you.  This one comes to save you.  Here is glory you can be sure of.  We have the words of the prophets, but better than that, we have the words of the prophets fulfilled.  The word of the Lord was certain when he spoke through the prophets, but now those words are all the more certain since Jesus has done all that was promised.  Peter was eyewitness of it, and he declares it to you so that you can be all the more sure of it.
     Here is glory you can be sure of.  Even people who reject the Bible as fantasy know that certain teachings in it are real.  Sin is real.  Even if you deny that you are that bad, you know what it is to be sinned against.  It either stoked up feelings of anger or it inflicted pain.  Being sinned against is no fairy tale; it is quite real.  The shame and guilt that you bear for your sins cannot be dismissed.  They are very real.  Unless your conscience is dead, you have guilt and shame.  All people do.  Death is very real.  All people die.  That is a fact, and it is both sad and terrifying.  And your guilt bears witness that you will be judged when you die.  Sin and death and judgment are very real.  The fantasy that most people have is that they might live forever.
     But here is glory you can be sure of: You don't believe in fantasies.  You believe in a Savior who takes away your guilt and hides your shame in his own innocence and blessedness.  The transfiguration of Jesus may have been fairly private and limited to few witnesses, but Jesus' sufferings and death were in a public setting so that you can know the sacrifice for sinners is no fairy tale.  Disciples and enemies of Jesus both witnessed it.  Peter bears witness to the transfiguration so that you can be sure that it is no mere man who dies for you; it is God the Son who takes away the sin of the world.  Jesus showed it in his glorious appearance.  The Father testified to it in his utterance from heaven. 
     Here is glory you can be sure of.  The Savior who died for you rose from the dead for you.  Everlasting life is no fantasy; it is a divine promise.  And “we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed” (2 Peter 1:19)  What God has foretold, Jesus has fulfilled.  Your life will not end in shame or death.  In fact, your life will not end; you have a resurrection to eternal glory and life.  For just as Jesus lives and reigns, so will all who believe in him.
     Here is glory you can be sure of.  Jesus' work as your Savior brings you certainty and confidence that God is pleased with you, that your sins are forgiven, and that heavenly glory awaits.  What Peter witnessed, you believe.  What Jesus has done is no myth.  What you believe, you will see.  What God has promised is no lie.  Everlasting glory awaits.  Jesus gave us a glimpse of it at his transfiguration.  Jesus guaranteed it at his resurrection.  And that is glory you can be sure of.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.