Transfiguration—Being on the Mountain

February 10, 2013 Transfiguration

Luke 9:28-36
About eight days after Jesus said this, He took Peter, John and James with Him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about His departure, which He was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and His companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to Him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what He was saying.) While He was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him.” When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.

There were six people on the Mount of Transfiguration: Jesus, Moses and Elijah, and the three disciples Peter, James and John.

Jesus, Moses and Elijah were talking about the work of Salvation that Jesus was about to do in Jerusalem. It would be a new Exodus. This time it would not be an exodus from slavery in Egypt, but it would be an exodus from the slavery of sin and hell. We do not know the exact content of their conversation, but maybe they were there mostly to give moral support and courage to Jesus and especially to the disciples who witnessed the scene.

Perhaps Moses could talk about how he led the people out into the wilderness and how he had constant struggles with them for forty years. But Moses knew the plan of God to bring His people into the Promised Land, and so Moses had courage and patience and endurance to keep leading the stubborn people. Likewise, Jesus would free people from Hell, but still people would grumble and complain. Maybe Moses’ story would be good advice to Peter. The new church of Christ would have many problems in the years after Jesus died and rose and ascended into heaven. Like Moses, Peter had problems too. But just like Moses, both Peter then and the Church today must remember the Salvation Event and the Salvation Promise. This is what gives courage and patience and endurance to us. We know that Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sin, and we know he will come again to take us to the Promised Land of Heaven. Meanwhile, we are in the wilderness of this earth, but we are fed with the heavenly manna, the body and blood of our Lord. We are nourished by the daily bread from the Creator’s hand. Therefore we have joy and love in our lives. Perhaps Moses would talk about the Law of God that he received on Mt. Sinai. Perhaps he would explain that it was that Law that condemned Jesus so that he must die on the cross. The Law says that sinners must be punished, even that they must die for grave offences. Well, when Jesus took upon himself the sin of the world, he had to take the consequences of that action. With the sin comes the punishment for that sin. So when Jesus took our sins from us, he also took the punishment. That is the way of Justice in the Law of God. It is called “sacrifice.” It is called “expiation.” It is called “substitute.” It is called “taking the place of someone else.” In the Law of Moses, this is done with the sacrificial lamb. In the Gospel, Jesus becomes the “Lamb of God that Takes away the Sin of the World.” The Disciple John was on the mountain of Transfiguration. This theme is very big in the Gospel Book that he wrote. The glory of Law of Mt. Sinai will be replaced by the glory of the Gospel of Mt. Calvary. Jesus will die as the perfect Passover Lamb, whose blood will be the sign to protect us and bring us salvation.

The Prophet Elijah was also on the Mount of Transfiguration. The Bible says that he did not die but that he was taken to heaven in a fiery chariot. Elijah was a mighty prophet. He lived at a time when many people in Israel had forgotten the love of God. Many people had forsaken the Lord and had started worshiping Baal. But Elijah was bold in proclaiming the will of the Lord God of Israel both in word and in signs. King Ahab wanted to kill him, but he escaped. The Disciple James was on the mountain of Transfiguration. Perhaps the James was given courage and strength by Elijah. James was a leader in the new Church and he boldly proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus. However, King Herod persecuted the church and killed James with the sword (Acts 12:2). Throughout the history of the Church, many people have had this same courage, because they saw the glory of Jesus. This is the glory of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration and on Mount Calvary. We are given courage because we see that life has meaning and hope. The meaning of our life is to live in the love of God. The hope of our life is that the love we share with other people will bring them the love of God. This is a love that will be eternal. We may not get to go to heaven in a fiery chariot like Elijah did, but we will hear the trumpet of the Lord and then we too shall see Christ in his glory.

The three disciples woke up and saw the Lord’s glory and his visitors. It was such a wonderful thing that they wanted them to stay longer. Peter suggested making shelters for them. The Greek word here (skenos) can be a hut, a shelter, or a tent. It is used in the Old Testament for the Tabernacle Tent in the wilderness. I think that Peter sees here that Jesus is really from Heaven. He realized that this mountain top is a holy place. And so Peter wants to make tabernacles, shrines for these three men. But Jesus and the three disciples must come down from the mountain. Jesus will have his tabernacle: it will be a cross, it will be tomb, and it will be in the hearts of all who believe in him. Jesus is in our hearts. In faith we too have seen his glory.

Amen.

Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church


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