Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus Only

            Is it possible to have too much advice? You know, when we don’t know how to do something or are questioning our path forward, we often seek out the advice of those wiser than us. For instance, if you didn’t know how to change a tire, you would seek out the advice or knowledge of someone who knew what they were doing. Or perhaps it’s something more complex like how to handle your money. For when we don’t know what to do, the wisest thing we can do is ask for advice. But what if we don’t like the advice we get? We seek out more! And if we don’t like that advice, we continue. And on and on we go…and sometimes, we can become so frozen with inaction because we don’t know which advice is best. We let multiple people tell us what we’re supposed to do, or how to do it, and then realize that everyone has told us something different. Then, you end up back at square one. Yes, too much advice can almost be as detrimental as having no advice at all. For consider a topic far more serious than money, or changing a tire. Consider the topic of faith. Who do you go to for advice when you have questions about faith? Hopefully, many of you might say a pastor. But which one? There are thousands of pastors and all of them will have a different take. Some of you might have thought that you would just open your bible. Certainly, a good idea. But where in your bible would you go? How would you know when you found the right answer? For we all understand the fact that out in the world, there are hundreds of opinions, different advice, and many people from whom to get such advice. However, not all advice is helpful. And too much advice is not helpful at all.

            Today, we consider the revelation of Jesus in his glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. As the disciples experience a sight unlike any other, we hear them be given advice directly from God. For let us learn today:

IT IS GOOD TO LISTEN TO JESUS ONLY!

I.

             Matthew begins with telling us that it’s been six days when Jesus takes his disciples up on the mountain. It’s been six days since what, though? It’s not like Matthew is counting days of the week as though this were Friday or something. No, it’s been six days since Jesus taught his disciples something very important. Six days since he told them that he would have to suffer and die. For in light of his teaching, Matthew then tells us, “After six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light,” Matthew 17:1-2. I can only imagine being one of those disciples seeing what they saw. Here Jesus shines in all his heavenly splendor. He literally radiates his glory, power, and majesty that are his in heaven. Yes, in this moment, heaven is unveiled before their eyes. And what do we often say, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Seeing this moment leaves the disciples in awe.

            But this is also where we always go wrong with this story. Indeed, I could talk about Moses and Elijah appearing and tell you all about how they’re the representatives of the Old Testament. I could tell you all about the significance of this being on a mountain. I could tell you how glorious this moment is so that you too could feel the awe and majesty present here. But that’s not the point. Just as Peter shows us. For Peter upon seeing this sight believes it’s so majestic that he has to say something, anything. So, he says, “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. We have this innate desire to freeze time in these joyful and happy moments. Why? Because we know that life isn’t always happy. We desire to leave the pain and suffering behind for only joy and happiness. But sometimes, we learn it’s better to be silent, to say nothing, rather than in joy and excitement blurt out the first thing that comes to mind… because it’s often wrong. 

II.

              This is why we’re told that it’s been six days. Six days since Jesus told his disciples what this was all about. Six days since he explained plainly for them all that was set to happen. Thus, on that mountain, we get the climatic moment of God speaking to them from heaven, as he says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him,” Matthew 17:5. This was the exact same phrase spoken over Jesus at his baptism… with one exception. Listen to him. Hear his word. Seek his advice for how to be a child of the Most High, rather than a mere creature. When all was said and done, Jesus came to the disciples back as he was so that when the disciples finally look up again, “they saw no one but Jesus only,” Matthew 17:8. For we the point of the Transfiguration isn’t to marvel at the glory of heaven. It wasn’t to reveal some other truth or secret knowledge. Rather, it was the continuing revelation that Jesus and his word is enough for us; that Jesus himself is the gate into heaven; that Jesus was all we ever needed.

            For let this be clear for us, when we need advice for life, faith, or especially salvation, we need to go to Jesus only. We don’t seek out other opinions or views because they’ll only ever lead us astray. Nor as modern day Christians should we think we need a greater revelation than what we already have, as the Apostle Peter says, “And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,” 2 Peter 1:19. So, look up from the fog of sin and see Jesus only. On the cross, it was Jesus only who suffered for you. In the tomb, it was Jesus only who was buried for you. It was Jesus only who gave himself for your sins and rose again for your justification. And it will be Jesus only who will come back with all authority and power and might to judge the world. Count on no one else, no works, nor any other faith, but faith in Jesus only! Thus, we listen to Jesus only for he has the words of eternal life. His words are all we need, the very words written down and recorded for you and me from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

            It is certainly good to be here because it is good for us to listen to Jesus only through his word and his Sacraments handed down generation after generation. Thus, from Jesus alone, let us listen to all he has done for us so that the Father may even speak over us… “This is my child with whom I am well pleased!” In Jesus’ name! Amen!