Text: Matthew 17: 1-9
It was always a special time. We would go up to a campsite in Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico. There the families of our congregation would make camp. We ate together, played together, visited together. On Saturday afternoon we would have Bible study for young and old. And then on Sunday morning we would gather for worship 7000 feet above sea level.
It was always a special time up there in the mountains. Under those towering Ponderosa pines worshipping our God, hearing his Word and singing his praise. Yet not near as special as what three men, Peter, James and John experienced long ago. And it wasn’t so much the setting. Here in California, we would call that high mountain a big hill. It wasn’t the setting. It was what happened there.
Today through this inspired Word of God, we are privileged to witness what these three experienced long ago. And how important it is for us. For this Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. This Wednesday, we begin our journey to Jesus’ cross in our six Midweek services. We follow Jesus as he journeys to that cross for us all. But before we go, we need to stand on this mountain with Jesus. So this morning I invite you:
CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN ON THE WAY TO THE CROSS
Recently I have been hearing mothers, fathers and widows speaking out. Our president has ordered that our soldiers and marines in Afghanistan be withdrawn at the end of 2014. Those speaking out are gold star parents and wives. Their loved ones died serving over there. They are concerned that our president does not pull out and leave Afghanistan to be gobbled up by the Taliban. They are concerned that our country does not squander the sacrifice of their sons and husbands. So I pray that our president can appreciate their sacrifice. But not just him, also us.
Well today we think about another sacrifice that was about to be made. A sacrifice so precious, so amazing, we cannot get out our arms around it. This Word of God gives us a glimpse of how wide and long and high is the love of God in the Son he gave for us.
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. After six days, Matthew writes. Six days before Jesus had begun to tell his disciples that he would suffer and die at the hands of his enemies and then be raised to life. These men would be caught up in that drama. They would see their friend, their teacher and yes their Lord ripped away from them. And yes, they had seen his miracles. They had confessed to Jesus, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. But on this mountain, he gave them something more. He gave them a glimpse of his glory.
There Jesus was transfigured before them. They saw Jesus as they never saw him before. His face shone with the brightness of the sun. Even his simple clothes became dazzling bright. What was happening? For a moment, Jesus lowered the veil of his humanity. For a moment Jesus revealed his divine glory as the Son, God the Son. And there they witnessed it. And so do we. We witness it in this Word.
Then think of the bright cloud that enveloped them. The Kabod Adonai, the glory of the Lord. Think of the voice that came from that cloud. Think of the Word that God the Father spoke over Jesus. This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!
How blessed we are to hear those words as we follow Jesus to his cross. How blessed we are to witness his glory on that holy mountain. It tells us about the sacrifice to come. It tells us about this one whose face and beard would drip with blood. It tells about this one who would be nailed to a cross in nakedness and shame. He’s not just another tragic victim of man’s evil ways. He is the very Son of God, dearly loved by his Father in heaven. He is the very Son of God, the apple of his Father’s eye, yet given and sacrificed for you to save you from your sin.
So climb the mountain on the way to the cross. Climb it and witness Jesus’ glory. Climb it and see the One given for you.
It doesn’t seem that long ago, but it is. I would makes those trips out east to see my mom. The last few years were difficult visits. For my mom had Alzheimer’s disease. Her brain was wasting away with her memory and thinking abilities. I think of sitting in the living room with my mom and dad. She sat there and kept saying. You’re my husband. You’re my son. Again and again. She was struggling to remember. And yes, we could laugh together but much of the time she was anxious and confused until that disease took her.
Yet there is something else I know as I look back. My mom knew Jesus, her Savior. It became a very simple childlike faith, yet isn’t that the one our Lord commends? A faith that surprised me one day when mom suddenly sang the words of that song, Jesus loves me, this I know. You see, in spite of that awful disease, my mom still knew Jesus. And because she did, there is something I can take from this mountain. There is something we all can take as we think about ta loved one who died in the Lord. For there Jesus gives us a glimpse of what his cross made possible for us sinners. Heaven. So climb the mountain. Climb it and catch a glimpse of the heaven Jesus gives.
3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. One more amazing surprise for these three men. Moses had died hundreds of years before. Elijah had been taken away. But now here they were, God’s prophets of old. Prophet’s who had pointed God’s people to Christ’s coming. And now God brought them to be with Jesus, a testimony in itself that Jesus was the One.
And here they were, not dead but very much alive. In fact, Luke tells us, they appeared in glorious splendor. They appeared with the glory that is theirs in heaven.
This helps me as I think about my mom. It helps me as I think about my wife’s cousin, Melanie, who suddenly died some weeks ago. It helps me to think of Moses and Elijah there on that mountain. For there we catch a glimpse of the heaven Jesus gives. There God gives us a comforting vision of those who fall asleep in Jesus. We miss them very much. But they are not dead. Like Moses and Elijah, they live in glorious splendor.
For think about what Peter said: Lord, it is good for us to be here. Think about that. Just that glimpse, that little taste of heaven made Peter want that moment to go on and on. Lord if you wish we’ll make three shelters for you and Moses and Elijah. Of course, we know, it could not be. Luke even tells us that Peter did not know what he was talking about. That’s Peter. Yet Peter’s words tell us how good it was. How good it was to bask in the glory of God’s Son. Well that’s what Jesus’ cross, Jesus’ sacrifice made possible. And not just for a moment, but forever.
Of course that moment was short lived. When Peter and the others heard the Father’s voice they buried their noses in the dirt. They fell facedown to the ground, terrified. I love what Matthew says now happened. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”
Don’t be afraid. No doubt people have told you that before. One caring soul to another. Don’t be afraid. We appreciate those words. But Jesus’ words are so much more than just kind words. With Jesus, we need not be afraid. We need not be afraid of what life brings our way, even the things that hurt. And like these men, with Jesus we need not be afraid of standing in the presence of God. For with Jesus, our sins are forgiven. With Jesus, God is our Father and we are his dear children. So listen to Jesus’ words. Don’t be afraid. Instead Get up and follow him.
8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. No one except Jesus. Matthew frames the picture so well for us here. For when it comes down to it it’s all about Jesus. God’s Word, God’s plan to save us. Our faith. Our hope and our future. God’s promises. It’s all about Jesus, who he is and what he’s done. So get up. Don’t be afraid. Get up and follow him.
It’s time for me to close. But before I do I’d like you to think about something. When they came down the mountain, Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until he rose from the dead. Can you imagine what a struggle it must have been for those three, especially Peter who often led with his mouth. It didn’t make sense. Yet for them to tell what they had seen would have interfered with Jesus’ mission. He was descending that mountain to die of us. So they were to keep silent.
But now Jesus has risen, hasn’t he? So unlike Peter, James and John now we are not to remain silent. No we are to come down from the mountain and tell. Amen.