Transfiguration Sunday "Listen Up!" Matthew 17:1-9
2/6/2005
Transfiguration Sunday
Text: Matthew 17:1-9
Title: Listen Up!
Please join me in prayer. Eternal God, pour out your Spirit upon us that we might be aware of your presence in our midst, that we might be attentive to your Word, and that we might be faithful always to your way, through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen
The story of Jesus’ transfiguration is very difficult for most people to understand. It is completely outside our experience, except for one detail. But before I tell you what that is, I need to set the stage for what took place on that mountaintop so long ago.
Just six days before the event we are looking at today Jesus had asked them, “Who do people say I am?” A legitimate question, for by this time in his ministry there were many rumors and speculations about who he was.
The disciples gave him the lowdown; you know the word on the street. They told him that some thought he was a prophet, maybe even Elijah, who had come back to life. Others thought he might be the reincarnated John the Baptist. It was clear from their remarks that those who had seen him heal, feed thousands, and forgive sins, did not know who he really was.
Jesus did not stop with just that question, for he wanted to know who his disciples thought he was, so he asked them, “Who do you say I am?” Peter, you know, Peter the impulsive one, the disciple who usually just jumped right in with both feet, and then thought about what he had done or said later, quickly responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” You can almost hear the indignation in his voice, why of course they knew who Jesus was, but they did not as we will learn later, for even though they had been hearing Jesus, they had not really been listening to him.
After listening to Peter’s answer, Jesus shared with them the actual plan of God, the plan that would make salvation a reality. He let them know that he was going to suffer and die, but he did not leave it there, he also told them that there was going to be a resurrection three days later.
Once more, after hearing, but not really listening to what Jesus had just told them, Peter blurts out, “Never, Lord!” This will never happen to you!” Never happen, who does Peter think he is? Could it be that he thinks he knows better than God what was needed to be done for grace and salvation, for eternal life? The road Jesus was going to take was going to be a hard road, but for Jesus it was the only road, the road to the cross.
Matthew tells us that after Peter’s protest, Jesus told him, “Get behind me Satan!” I am sure that Peter was crushed. All he wanted to do was to help Jesus, to make things easier. He only had Jesus’ best interest at heart, he did not want Jesus to die, for what good was a dead king.
Jesus could see that his disciples had not been listening, that they were in need of some heavy duty molding, shaping, and guiding. So, he took three of his closest disciples and climbed up a mountain. On that mountain top he would show them who he really is, God himself. In his transfiguration they would receive confirmation of his mission. It would be there that their faith would be strengthened, because they would know with certainty that the path Jesus was on was the only path he could take, the right path, for he had to die and be resurrected.
That was Jesus intent, but as we can tell from the text, they still did not get it. Peter wanted to build shelters for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus, so they could stay there and talk. You see tradition said that Moses who represented the Law, and Elijah, who represented the prophets would come back to life at the arrival of the Messiah. They had not been seeing or listening, so they just did not get that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets.
As I read the text it seems that that God the Father finally had to get involved in the teaching experience, for they obviously were not really listening to Jesus. You know, hearing, but not listening. He spoke from the cloud, telling them in what I would imagine was probably big booming voice, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!.” There it was, the voice of divine approval and the sealing of the relationship between the heavenly father and his divine son.
Does God’s announcement sound familiar? It should, for those are the same words, except the part where he says, “Listen to him!”, that God used at Jesus’ baptism. If there was any question of who he was then, there should be no question now. At least you would think so, wouldn’t you?
Remember I said at the beginning of this sermon that we have a hard time understanding the Transfiguration for it is completely outside our experience, except for one detail. That one detail is when God said to them, “Listen to him!” They are just plain everyday words, but they gave the disciples all the guidance they needed. They were to latch onto that command for dear life. God wanted them to listen to Jesus, really listen to him, not just hear him, for it is only in Jesus they would find the way and the truth, for not only this life, but for eternity.
God’s command to listen to Jesus applies to us today. You might be thinking; how can we listen to him, he is no longer here? But, I disagree with that form of thinking, for Jesus is here. He comes to you each Sunday in his supper. He is speaking to each of you personally in the announcement of the forgiveness of your sins, and he speaks to you in his Holy Word as it is read and taught.
The question I have for you this morning, for all of us really; is what do those words mean to you? Are you listening; really listening to them, as in believing that they are his words to you? Do you believe that what he is saying is meaningful to your life? I hope so, for they are the only way you can find the way and the truth, for not only this life, but for all eternity.
I honestly cannot say for sure whether a person is listening or not listening to his words, but one thing I know for sure is that we all have a problem listening. Maybe you think you are a good listener, but how many times have you been in conversation with someone and the whole time the other person is talking you are thinking of what you are going to say? I know I have been guilty of that.
How many times have you heard, “Listen to me” or “What are you doing?” or “Weren’t you listening?”, or the one us guys have probably heard more than we would like to admit, “Didn’t you hear me? I may as well been talking to the wall!” I am guilty again.
The truth is that most of us are not good listeners. Good listening takes time, concentration, and effort. It means putting the other person first. I am afraid that too many times we get so wrapped up in ourselves, or in a hurry, or let ourselves be distracted so that we really do not listen to others.
Listening to God’s Words to us is no different in its difficulties. In fact I would say it is harder to listen to God’s Word than to listen to a spouse, a child, a coworker, or anyone else for that matter, for we are listening to a person that we cannot see, for it is said that listening is 75% body language. I think that is the problem. I am afraid that too many times, because we do not see Jesus being active in our lives, we just cannot make the connection between his words and its application in our lives.
That is the way we are, there is no doubt about it. All we have to do is look at our lives and the mess we sometimes make out of them to see the problem. You see, good listening, especially good listening to God’s Word, should always result in getting information, instructions, and encouragement. It should always lead us to do something, or to have a sense of being enriched, or edified in our minds and spirit.
We need to learn from this text today that even though the disciples were really not listening to Jesus, he did not leave them. No, he reached out and touched them. That same touch is ours today as he touches us with his healing hands to heal our bodies and souls, to strengthen our faith. Yes he continues to reach out and touch us, even when we, just like the disciples, listen to others that would lead us astray.
I urge you to listen to him as I speak his words, not my words, of forgiveness in the absolution. I urge you to listen to him as the Holy Scriptures are read and taught, in their truth and purity, for there is where you find true life. I urge you to listen to him, as I use his words to consecrate the bread and wine, for in them he is telling you, I am coming to you, to touch you, right where you are.
Listen to him, do not be a hearer, be an active listener, for that is how you are enabled to live the life God wants you live, here and in eternity. Amen.
Transfiguration Sunday
Text: Matthew 17:1-9
Title: Listen Up!
Please join me in prayer. Eternal God, pour out your Spirit upon us that we might be aware of your presence in our midst, that we might be attentive to your Word, and that we might be faithful always to your way, through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen
The story of Jesus’ transfiguration is very difficult for most people to understand. It is completely outside our experience, except for one detail. But before I tell you what that is, I need to set the stage for what took place on that mountaintop so long ago.
Just six days before the event we are looking at today Jesus had asked them, “Who do people say I am?” A legitimate question, for by this time in his ministry there were many rumors and speculations about who he was.
The disciples gave him the lowdown; you know the word on the street. They told him that some thought he was a prophet, maybe even Elijah, who had come back to life. Others thought he might be the reincarnated John the Baptist. It was clear from their remarks that those who had seen him heal, feed thousands, and forgive sins, did not know who he really was.
Jesus did not stop with just that question, for he wanted to know who his disciples thought he was, so he asked them, “Who do you say I am?” Peter, you know, Peter the impulsive one, the disciple who usually just jumped right in with both feet, and then thought about what he had done or said later, quickly responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” You can almost hear the indignation in his voice, why of course they knew who Jesus was, but they did not as we will learn later, for even though they had been hearing Jesus, they had not really been listening to him.
After listening to Peter’s answer, Jesus shared with them the actual plan of God, the plan that would make salvation a reality. He let them know that he was going to suffer and die, but he did not leave it there, he also told them that there was going to be a resurrection three days later.
Once more, after hearing, but not really listening to what Jesus had just told them, Peter blurts out, “Never, Lord!” This will never happen to you!” Never happen, who does Peter think he is? Could it be that he thinks he knows better than God what was needed to be done for grace and salvation, for eternal life? The road Jesus was going to take was going to be a hard road, but for Jesus it was the only road, the road to the cross.
Matthew tells us that after Peter’s protest, Jesus told him, “Get behind me Satan!” I am sure that Peter was crushed. All he wanted to do was to help Jesus, to make things easier. He only had Jesus’ best interest at heart, he did not want Jesus to die, for what good was a dead king.
Jesus could see that his disciples had not been listening, that they were in need of some heavy duty molding, shaping, and guiding. So, he took three of his closest disciples and climbed up a mountain. On that mountain top he would show them who he really is, God himself. In his transfiguration they would receive confirmation of his mission. It would be there that their faith would be strengthened, because they would know with certainty that the path Jesus was on was the only path he could take, the right path, for he had to die and be resurrected.
That was Jesus intent, but as we can tell from the text, they still did not get it. Peter wanted to build shelters for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus, so they could stay there and talk. You see tradition said that Moses who represented the Law, and Elijah, who represented the prophets would come back to life at the arrival of the Messiah. They had not been seeing or listening, so they just did not get that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets.
As I read the text it seems that that God the Father finally had to get involved in the teaching experience, for they obviously were not really listening to Jesus. You know, hearing, but not listening. He spoke from the cloud, telling them in what I would imagine was probably big booming voice, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!.” There it was, the voice of divine approval and the sealing of the relationship between the heavenly father and his divine son.
Does God’s announcement sound familiar? It should, for those are the same words, except the part where he says, “Listen to him!”, that God used at Jesus’ baptism. If there was any question of who he was then, there should be no question now. At least you would think so, wouldn’t you?
Remember I said at the beginning of this sermon that we have a hard time understanding the Transfiguration for it is completely outside our experience, except for one detail. That one detail is when God said to them, “Listen to him!” They are just plain everyday words, but they gave the disciples all the guidance they needed. They were to latch onto that command for dear life. God wanted them to listen to Jesus, really listen to him, not just hear him, for it is only in Jesus they would find the way and the truth, for not only this life, but for eternity.
God’s command to listen to Jesus applies to us today. You might be thinking; how can we listen to him, he is no longer here? But, I disagree with that form of thinking, for Jesus is here. He comes to you each Sunday in his supper. He is speaking to each of you personally in the announcement of the forgiveness of your sins, and he speaks to you in his Holy Word as it is read and taught.
The question I have for you this morning, for all of us really; is what do those words mean to you? Are you listening; really listening to them, as in believing that they are his words to you? Do you believe that what he is saying is meaningful to your life? I hope so, for they are the only way you can find the way and the truth, for not only this life, but for all eternity.
I honestly cannot say for sure whether a person is listening or not listening to his words, but one thing I know for sure is that we all have a problem listening. Maybe you think you are a good listener, but how many times have you been in conversation with someone and the whole time the other person is talking you are thinking of what you are going to say? I know I have been guilty of that.
How many times have you heard, “Listen to me” or “What are you doing?” or “Weren’t you listening?”, or the one us guys have probably heard more than we would like to admit, “Didn’t you hear me? I may as well been talking to the wall!” I am guilty again.
The truth is that most of us are not good listeners. Good listening takes time, concentration, and effort. It means putting the other person first. I am afraid that too many times we get so wrapped up in ourselves, or in a hurry, or let ourselves be distracted so that we really do not listen to others.
Listening to God’s Words to us is no different in its difficulties. In fact I would say it is harder to listen to God’s Word than to listen to a spouse, a child, a coworker, or anyone else for that matter, for we are listening to a person that we cannot see, for it is said that listening is 75% body language. I think that is the problem. I am afraid that too many times, because we do not see Jesus being active in our lives, we just cannot make the connection between his words and its application in our lives.
That is the way we are, there is no doubt about it. All we have to do is look at our lives and the mess we sometimes make out of them to see the problem. You see, good listening, especially good listening to God’s Word, should always result in getting information, instructions, and encouragement. It should always lead us to do something, or to have a sense of being enriched, or edified in our minds and spirit.
We need to learn from this text today that even though the disciples were really not listening to Jesus, he did not leave them. No, he reached out and touched them. That same touch is ours today as he touches us with his healing hands to heal our bodies and souls, to strengthen our faith. Yes he continues to reach out and touch us, even when we, just like the disciples, listen to others that would lead us astray.
I urge you to listen to him as I speak his words, not my words, of forgiveness in the absolution. I urge you to listen to him as the Holy Scriptures are read and taught, in their truth and purity, for there is where you find true life. I urge you to listen to him, as I use his words to consecrate the bread and wine, for in them he is telling you, I am coming to you, to touch you, right where you are.
Listen to him, do not be a hearer, be an active listener, for that is how you are enabled to live the life God wants you live, here and in eternity. Amen.
posted by Pastor Rhoads | 11:11 AM
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