Exodus 24:8-18; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Being a parent can be a rollercoaster of emotions. One moment, you are marveling at what great kids you have, and the next, you are putting them in time out just to have a moment’s peace. Yet, it’s a parent’s love and affection that children crave the most. We all want to know that our parents are proud of us and pay attention to us. This is part of why kids can say the funniest and silliest of things. They want the attention.

It interesting then that in this season of Epiphany, we hear this phrase spoken concerning Jesus. As God says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” Matthew 17:5. We begin Epiphany with this phrase at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan river and we finish Epiphany with this proclamation at Jesus’ transfiguration. Even Jesus in his life needed this validation from his Father. For the season of Epiphany reveals to us who Jesus is, that is, the beloved Son of God.

This week, as we celebrate the Transfiguration of Jesus, we’re shown more than just the Father’s validation of his Son. Indeed, the Father was pleased with Jesus, his Son, for Jesus has been faithful in all his work. But Jesus brought with him three of his disciples—Peter, James, and John. For while Jesus appeared in all his glory, alongside Moses and Elijah, Peter jumps into the conversation. “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah,” Matthew 17:4. It’s that moment where you speak too soon and sound silly.

While Jesus is the beloved Son, the rest of us might have a thing or two to learn about being a child of the Almighty. We love the glory of that mountain and get so excited to experience it for ourselves that we blurt the first thing that comes to mind. We act childish, not only in our speech but in our behavior also. It would be better for us to be quiet, than to speak more sin into our world.

For so, we hear the voice come from the clouds which speaks not only to Jesus, but to us as well. Jesus isn’t just the Son of God, but also our brother. Hence, we hear God say, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him,” Matthew 17:5. Listen to Jesus! Yes, everything we’re looking for comes from the mouth of our Lord. Learning what it means to be a son or daughter can only come from him who is Son. For it’s no mistake that when the disciples lift their eyes again, “they saw no one but Jesus only,” Matthew 17:8. By the cross, the fog of sin lifts. Because Jesus went to the cross for us, we’re to look to him alone for life and salvation. For so, God grants us the new birth of water and the word as we hear his voice over us, say, “This is my beloved child, with whom I am well pleased!”

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O God, in the glorious transfiguration of Your beloved Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah. In the voice that came from the bright cloud You wonderfully foreshowed our adoption by grace. Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King in His glory and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!