Exodus 34: 29-35 / Psalm 99 / II Corinthians 3: 12–4:2 / Luke 9: 28-43
This
is the homily given at Flohr’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA) in
McKnightstown, Pennsylvania on Sunday March 2, 2025.
“RESOURCES TO REACH THE DESTINATION”
(Homily text: Luke 9: 28-43)
Most likely, we’ve all had the
experience of going on a trip. Let’s reflect a little on that experience, and,
in particular, think a bit about what steps were necessary to be sure the trip
went smoothly.
For example, we’d want to be sure we’d
planned to bring enough money to buy the things we’d need along the way. If we
were driving, we’d want to be sure the car or truck was in good shape and was
ready for the drive. We’d want to check the route. If we were taking a plane or
a train, we’d want to be sure to check the departure time, the places where
we’d have to transfer, and our arrival time.
If, however, we weren’t making this
trip on our own, but had decided to go on some sort of a tour, then the tour
company or organizer would need to check all these details (and more).
Moreover, if we were going on such a tour, we might want to check out the
ratings of the company to see how well they plan their offerings, and what
contingency plans they had in place when the unexpected happens.
Jesus’ original band of disciples are on a journey with the Lord. He has told them what the destination is: His coming suffering and death in Jerusalem. (See Luke 9: 21–27.)[1]
Now, as Peter, James and John ascend
the mountain with the Lord, they are provided with the assurance that though that
journey to Jerusalem will entail difficulty, it will ultimately be successful.
Except that these three of Jesus’
original followers didn’t realize what they were experiencing as Jesus’
appearance is altered on that mountain, not at that moment, at least.
As Jesus is enveloped in a cloud, the Father’s voice says, “This is my Son, my Chosen One, listen to him.” Jesus’ appearance becomes dazzlingly white. He is joined by Moses and Elijah: Moses, who is the giver of the Law, the Old Covenant; and Elijah, the one whose appearing would herald the coming of the Messiah.[2]
As Peter, James and John witness the
Lord’s transfiguration, and as they hear the Father’s voice declare Jesus’
oneness with Him, they are given a glimpse of the Lord’s true identity. No
longer will it be possible for them to regard Jesus as nothing more than a
marvelously gifted human being. Now, they’ve been given the gift of knowing
that Jesus shares the Father’s identity and relationship.
We said a moment ago that these three
disciples didn’t realize at the time what they were experiencing. Peter,
writing many years later in his second letter, would recall the events that
took place during the Lord’s transfiguration. He would say, “For we did not
follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he
received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by
the Majestic Glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,’ we
ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the
holy mountain.” (II Peter 1: 16-18)
As events unfolded in Jerusalem, and as
the Lord suffered, died, was buried, and then was raised from the dead on the
third day, His followers began to make sense of all that had happened. They
realized that God’s sovereign hand was at work in all of these things. Their
journey to Good Friday and to Easter was anticipated by God, every contingency
was foreseen. Their journey had reached its destination.
In time, they came to understand that
the Lord Jesus Christ is One with the Father. In time, they came to understand
that God’s Spirit was also One with the Father and with the Son. These
realizations didn’t happen overnight, but as God revealed these truths to those
early disciples and to the Church, God’s people were able to see the plan that
God had designed.
As we journey through life, there will
be times of challenge, times of difficulties, times when the unexpected
happens. As we look back over the course of our life’s journey, can we see
times when God’s hand was present in the challenges and trials we’ve faced?
Oftentimes, God’s hand and God’s care for our journey in His provision for us
won’t be apparent at the time, but – oftentimes – only in retrospect.
If we can identify times of God’s
presence in the past, then perhaps we can be assured that God’s care and
provision for whatever might come along will be ours to rely on. As Holy
Scripture assures us, nothing can separate us from the love of God. (Romans 8:39)
AMEN.
[1] This is not the last time the Lord will tell
his disciples about His coming death. It is the first one, however.
[2] This understanding stems from the common belief, in the time of our Lord’s earthly ministry, that Elijah would return to usher in the Messiah’s coming and reign. The text which underlaid this expectation is Malachi 4: 5–6, which reads, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”
