A sermon based on Matthew 17:1-9, Rev. Dr. Jon Diefenthaler, Sr Pastor Emeritus, Our Savior Lutheran Church
The Epiphany season that began with the twinkling of a star that led the Wise Men to the newborn Jesus ends with a blinding vision of him as a grown-up adult. The “Transfiguration of Our Lord” is the name we give to it. The original NT Greek word for it is the same one from which we get the word “metamorphosis.” It means that Jesus changed, and for several of his disciples, it was in all of his radiant glory that they saw him.
What are we to make of this moment? Bible scholars suggest that Jesus’ Transfiguration was a preview of his second coming, when he will return from heaven to earth in blinding splendor with all of his holy angels.
While we are not there yet, this moment in Jesus’ life implies that this is the direction in which he wants us to head.The impending Lenten season states very plainly that the way is the same one Jesus took.
It involves taking up the cross of self-denial and choosing to make loving sacrifices for the sake of others.
Although this way may not seem very grand, the “Resurrection of Our Lord” on Easter will assure us that it’s the way that does in fact produce some glorious glimpses of the world we shall fully see at the end of all time.
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