Luke 9:28-36 Pastor Nathan P. Kassulke
“It Is Good to See the Glory of Jesus”
Transfiguration Sunday, March 3, 2019
Have you ever been in a situation where you just did not know what to say? I suppose there are a number of those sorts of situations that we could think about. When your child asks you a question that you didn’t expect, and that you think is maybe a little bit above their maturity level, it’s hard to know what to say. When something is surprising or awe-inspiring, perhaps both, we often say that it “leaves us speechless,” and sometimes that’s exactly what it feels like. We just don’t have the words to articulate what we feel when we hear or see something like that. The account of the Transfiguration of Jesus tells us about a time when a small band of Jesus’ disciples felt that same way. In fact, Peter tried to say something, but even the Gospel-writer Luke dismisses it by saying, “He did not realize what he was saying.” And that’s the reality of what took place on that special mountain. It was something so unique, something so different from anything else, something so powerful that it is really difficult to put it into words. It is hard for us even to imagine what it must have looked like and felt like to experience what the disciples Peter, James, and John did when Jesus’ appearance changed so drastically in front of them. So maybe we can relate to Peter trying to say something that didn’t totally make sense. Of course, even with Peter not knowing what to say, he did get one thing right. He said to Jesus, “It is good for us to be here.” It was good for those disciples to be on the mountain. That’s why Jesus brought them and allowed them to see what they did and hear what they did: because he wanted them to have this good experience. And so we will say something similar as we consider what took place on the mountain. It is good for us to see the glory of Jesus. It was good for the three disciples to see the glory of Jesus on the mountain. And that is exactly what they saw. Jesus’ appearance changed. We are told that his clothing became dazzling white. Another Gospel writer, Matthew, describes the face of Jesus shining like the sun (Matthew 17:2). The description of this event is that of a shining light coming from him in a way that is nearly impossible to put into words and to capture. This is a unique moment. It certainly can remind us of what we heard about in the First Lesson (Exodus 34:29-35). What I mean is this: the brightness of the glory of Jesus is that same glory that Moses saw on the mountain when he would talk to God, the same glory that was reflected in the face of Moses each time he returned, until it faded from view. This transfiguration was a momentary view of the real Jesus, true God in all his glory and also a true human being who otherwise veiled and hid that glory during his ministry on earth. It was good for the disciples to see this glory. It was good for them to be reminded that this man that they followed was far more than a teacher, far more than even a great teacher. He was and is almighty God. And that glimpse of his glory on the mountain could go with them, be in their minds and hearts and in their memories as they saw what would unfold next. Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem. There he would not look so glorious. He would not look so powerful. That’s what Jesus discussed with Moses and Elijah who appeared on the mountain with him—his departure. It was good for the disciples to see the glory of Jesus because they would most certainly see his humility. It is good for us to see that glory, too. Obviously I mean something different than having a chance to see in person such a display of Jesus’ glory. You can still travel to the Holy Land and see the mountain where this event may have taken place. But you can’t recreate the event or see it for yourself. No, we are able to see the glory of Jesus by reading in his Word what took place on the mountain. Each year in the church, as we approach the season of Lent where our focus shifts to the lowliness, the humility, and the suffering and death of Jesus, we first revisit this mountain to see the real Jesus in his glory and majesty and splendor. It is good for us to see the glory of Jesus on the mountain and to recognize and realize that he humbled himself, he faced suffering and death, not because he had to but because he wanted to—for us and for our sake.
And that same glory of Jesus shines brightly for us throughout Scripture as we read it and learn it and study it and meditate on it. It teaches us not only about Jesus, but also about ourselves. It puts us in the place of those disciples who trudge up the mountain and wearily witness what goes on there. It makes clear to us that, like them, we contribute nothing of value to the situation or the experience. Because of our sins, we are unable to attain glory. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Our sinfulness brings darkness into our lives and into our world. We need Jesus to shine through that darkness. We need to look to him for glory and light. On the mountain, the voice of the Father announced, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” In case the disciples missed the point of the transfiguration, God explained it for them. This Jesus, shining forth in glory, is the Son of God. He is the one who was sent to do the work of God in this world, the saving of sinners. He is dearly beloved by his heavenly Father. Though it may not always seem that way to human eyes, though he will go from this place on a journey toward his suffering and death, it is the truth. The Father loves him because he is his Son, and the Father loves that he is doing the will of the Father. He had been and was continuing to live a perfect life in the place of the sinful world. He was obedient to all of God’s demands and expectations. And he was about to allow himself to face the punishment deserved by the sins of all other people. And that’s exactly why we should listen to him. We should listen to him when he tells us why he came. We should listen to him when he tells us what he has done. We should listen to him when he promises to return to bring us to be with him. And you know where we hear his voice, where we hear the voice of God today. It is in the Holy Scriptures, in the Bible. It is good for us to see the glory of Jesus in his holy Word. Nurtured by that holy Word and by the sacraments, we will one day be with him in his glory. What happened at the mountain of transfiguration is a reminder that there is something more. While the disciples received a glimpse of Jesus’ glory, that vision faded away. They came back down from the mountain again to face the world where glory is hidden. But even that brief glimpse of glory was and is a reminder. When our lives have run their course here in a world of suffering and pain, a world of darkness and sin, through Jesus we have an eternal glory. That is what our Savior promises. That is what his Word tells us. That is what we have to look forward to no matter what we face now. Peter, James, and John saw Moses and Elijah along with Jesus on the mountain. We are told that they were speaking with Jesus about what was going to happen to him in Jerusalem. These were believers from centuries before, appearing and speaking with Jesus. They knew of the glory that awaits believers. Peter’s not-so-brilliant idea to build shelters and stay on the mountain could never work. Why would those men want to leave heaven to dwell on earth? And if Jesus were to have stayed on the mountain, he wouldn’t have carried out what he needed to in Jerusalem. They did not need to stay long, but Moses and Elijah still provide a testimony for us. They remind us what we have to look forward to. Things are unfinished while we walk in darkness. Things are incomplete in this life and in this world. Yes, it is good for us to have glimpses of glory to remind us, but what is even better is that one day we will be taken into glory. We will see all the brilliant shining glory of Jesus face-to-face. We will live forever because he died for us and rose again. It is good for us to be reminded of this glory that awaits us! Some situations, some experiences are so amazing and profound that words fail to capture them. People just don’t know what to say. It seems that was the case for Peter on the mountain of transfiguration. Yet he managed to say something incredibly true. He said, “It is good for us to be here.” It was good for him and his companions, and it is good for us to see the glory of Jesus. And it assures us that because of who Jesus is and what he has done for us, heaven is our home. Our words about it now are sure to fail us and fall short. Then we will see Jesus in all his glory. And it will be much better than good. It will be perfect. Forever.
The Text: Luke 9:28-36 28
About eight days after he said these words, Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 While he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 Just then, two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with him! 31 They appeared in glory and were talking about his departure, which he was going to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem. 32
Peter and those with him were weighed down with sleep, but when they were completely awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33
As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not realize what he was saying. 34 While
he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them. They were afraid as they went into the cloud. 35 Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” 36 After the voice had spoken, they found Jesus alone. They kept this secret and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.