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.