"Hear Him!" Matthew 17:1-9

The Transfiguration of Our Lord                                     29-January-2023
Sermon Text: Matthew 17:1-9
Sermon Theme: “Hear Him!”

I.N.R.I. Eighty years old, tending his father-in-laws flocks, Moses is bewildered by a burning bush that is not turning into charcoal and ash. It burns but remains entirely green and intact. What does this mean? Drawing near he hears a voice calling, “Moses, Moses!” History records, Exo 3:5 Then He said, "Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground." Moses is on holy ground in the presence of the Lord Jesus. Exo 3:6 Moreover He said, "I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.” Our Lord would send Moses to deliver the children of Israel out of Egyptian slavery armed only with His Word and signs. Pharaoh refusing to listen to Christ’s word would bring destruction on his nation and cause the death of his firstborn son.
      Nearly seven centuries later the prophet Elijah preached Christ’s Word to a nation that had grown dull of hearing. Elijah was certain that he was the only prophet left and there were no more faithful followers of Yahweh who listened to His Word. On Mount Horeb the Lord Jesus met the despairing prophet clothed in the still small voice of His Word. He, the Good Shepherd, had preserved seven thousand faithful through His Word in the nation of Israel. Israel would be destroyed, Christ’s Word and the congregation gathered to hear Him endures.
    Fast forward another six centuries in history and we find three men following their Rabbi up a mountain to pray. They are walking in the land Elijah preached calling a nation to repent and return to the only true and living God. St. Luke records the historical fact that these three inner core of Jesus’ disciples - can’t stay awake while Jesus prays. Their eyes are heavy with sleep. Foreshadowing what Peter, James, and John will do when Jesus asks them to stay awake and pray with Him in Gethsemane. Waking from their slumber, they see Jesus shining as the sun with two preachers standing at his side. St. Mark tells us that Peter didn’t know what to say, so he spoke to undertake a building project for Christ’s Kingdom. God the Father sets us straight - we don’t build Christ’s Kingdom - it comes - through Jesus’ Word. The faithful are called to “Hear Him!”
    St. Matthew records an historically accurate record. (Vs.1-2) Six days earlier Jesus had led His disciples to the region of Caesarea Philippi north of the Sea of Galilee. There He asked, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” Some held that Jesus was a prophet, maybe even Elijah. Pointedly our Lord asked, “But Who do you say that I am?” Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” Peter did not by his own reason or strength come to know this truth, it had been revealed to him by the Heavenly Father by God the Holy Spirit working faith through the Word of Christ. It is on this Rock - this confession that the Church stands - “I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord.” Jesus is The God-Man. The personal union unites the human nature into the Divine nature of the second person of the Trinity. With St. Paul we confess, 1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.” The great mystery of Jesus The God-Man is second only to the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Six days after Peter confesses Jesus the God-Man - James and John with him become eyewitnesses of Jesus’ majesty and glory. From within and through His human nature - Jesus’ eternal Divine nature shines - His face like the sun - His clothes as white as light.
      Behold this Epiphany! (Vs.3) Moses and Elijah - Christ’s great deliverers, teachers, and faithful preachers appear talking with Jesus. What are they talking about? St. Luke informs us - they speak of the “exodus” that Jesus is about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Do you remember the tenth and final plague in Egypt which freed the children of Israel? The death of the first born in every household. Every household that wasn’t covered by the blood of the Lamb of God - a perfect male lamb without spot or blemish - sacrificed to save the people within the household. Six days earlier Peter the great confessor became a tool of Satan. History records, Mat 16:21-23 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. (22) Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" (23) But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." Then Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow Him. We are called to lose our life, our wealth, for Christ’s sake as His disciples. Our fallen flesh doesn’t like this theology of the cross. We’d rather believe the lie of a theology of glory - follow Jesus and you’ll have health, wealth, and prosperity. Jesus seals you with the sign of His cross - the mark of baptism into His crucifixion, death, and resurrection.
        Six days later Peter still wants to delay the cross. (Vs.4) Lord - Yahweh - God in the Flesh Jesus it is good to be here. You come to us through Moses preaching the Law in its severity and preaching the sweetness of deliverance through the death of the Firstborn Son - the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world - Jesus! You are present preserving your Church through Elijah faithfully preaching calling his rebellious nation to turn away from idolatry and return to the only True and Living God. Elijah is a troublesome preacher - He preaches the Truth to a nation enslaved by the Lie! The Truth - Jesus Word alone sets us free from sin’s deception, chains, and Satan’s lie.
    Peter doesn’t want to go down from the mountain to the cross. He’d rather build three tabernacles on top the mountain and remain away from the world. The Church is Christ’s fortress in this world, but not a stronghold to hide away, but to advance the Kingdom mightily with Christ’s weapons. Prayer. His Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer is our battle cry against the Evil One! Pray it daily, often, without ceasing!
    Peter is still chattering on about his building project. (Vs. 5) God the Father intervenes. The bright cloud - The Father’s favor shines on us through His beloved Son! The Father speaks - as He had at Jesus’ baptism - confessing that Jesus is the eternally only begotten Son in our skin and bones. He is well pleased. Jesus’ has a baptism that only He can accomplish! He must be betrayed. Suffer by the hand of man and under God’s just wrath for us sinners. He must swallow the cup of judgment and hell for us. He will shoulder all of Satan’s true accusations against us, then pouring out His blood wash sinners forgiven. He must be swallowed up by the ocean of death. Three days later He will burst forth from death and the grave shattering its chains. The First Fruit of the Resurrection of our bodies and promise of the life of the world to come.
He will do it all FOR YOU! Hear Him! Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.     Hearing God the Father speak is terrifying. (Vs.6-8) Peter, James, and John fall down gripped with fear. Jesus comes. He touches them. He speaks His life giving Word, ‘Arise, and do not be afraid.” Looking up they see only Jesus. Hearing the Father’s voice through Jesus they have life by the Holy Spirit. The path of our exodus, our deliverance from Satan, sin, and death is set. (Vs.9) He will suffer. He will be crucified. He will die. He will be buried. That isn’t then end. Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
        Dear Christian, the disciples were to tell this vision to no one until Christ rose from the dead. How can you be silent? Do you fear men more than the God-Man who is with you always? Don’t fear. Speak the message of the cross - it is foolishness to the perishing, but it is life to those who are being saved. Shine forth the light of the Truth in the dark ages of the Lie! How? Listen to Peter, they eye witness: “2Pe 1:19-21 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; (20) knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, (21) for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” Read, mark, learn, inwardly digest Christ’s Word from Genesis to Revelation - Hear Him! Speak His Word to your family, friends, neighbors, enemies. It shines in this dark place! Speak it out loud! It works! Six days - Matthew records - in six 24 hour days, 6,000 years ago the Lord God spoke His Word and all that exists came into existence. Still this creation is upheld by His Word. His Word became the God-Man. He has redeemed you. He opens your lips now to declare His praise. Hear Him! Look only to Jesus! Shine forth this good news to all sinners - even the greatest sinner you know - yourself. “Arise, and do not be afraid.” Amen.