“GRACE FROM THE MOUNT”
Saint Matthew 17. 1-9
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD: 13 February Anno Domini 2011
The Revd Fr JW Watson SSP
After six days Jesus again takes you, His brothers and sisters, and brings you up into a high mountain, Mount Zion the Church, the Kingdom of Grace, by yourselves apart.
Because of your sins this past week, all the result not of bad circumstances, mean people, mental & emotional handicaps, and other bogus excuses, but because of your own SINFUL condition… Jesus again takes you. Only the God/Man does this "heavy lifting." Jesus and His Word comes to you + the baptized.
His word of Law comes to you and knocks you down flat onto the ground. It hurts, it frightens, it kills - - temporarily - and that's good. For the Law needs to slay your old "self" so that eternal damnation does not snag your spirit and soul.
He rescues you out of the pit; out of the mire and muck and mud of degrading trespasses. He cleans you off. He dries you off. He bandages your satanic scratches and worldly wounds.
The Christ does all the mountaineering. He climbed Mount Moriah, carrying old Father Abraham and young Isaac all the way. The Lord provided that ram for the blood sacrifice. Abraham would not have to kill his first born son to prove anything or to achieve anything. The Lord would provide all the sacrifice and payment. The only-begotten Paschal Lamb would suffer and bleed as full atonement!
The Messiah does all the writing, speaking, and complying. He climbed Mount Sinai carrying Moses all the way. The Savior provided the obedience to that Testimony, the Old Covenant of Ten Commands. Moses would not have to keep the Decalogue perfectly or go to hell because Jesus would keep His Father's two-tables; Jesus would suffer the pains of Hell for Moses, the Israelites, and all you New Israelites.
The Redeemer does all the summit skirmishes and peak protection. He ascended Mount Carmel carrying the tentative and anxious Elias all the way. The prophet did not have to save himself from the maddened mobs of Baal-worshipers, malignant false priests, and insane kings, because the Pre-Incarnate Angel of the Lord fought for the Tishbite. Even as he rained fire, thunder and smoke; even as the earth shook and quaked as it had at Horeb, He too sent consuming wrathful fire-lightning down on Carmel to destroy unbelief and blasphemy. By His own arm he saved Elias.
These past six days, you have doubted your Shepherd would return from his "visible" disappearance; you have danced around your own golden calves (maybe they were only red, white and blue or had your own monograms emblazoned rather than the "sign of the cross"); you have both whined about perishing (if only financially or socially) and you have plotted evil ends on your enemies and adversaries (those made by same Good Creator - - your neighbors).
But Christ carried all YOUR sins of this week past, with all your other treasons, and the evil of the whole world, when He walked up Mount Calvary. That's mountain top that matters most! He bore your sin up Golgotha so that you would not have to answer for your guilt.
Calvary and the Tree of Death/Life is what The Transfiguration is about. His changing into a Being bursting forth in uncreated light (not light radiated from His Father or the Trinity, BUT HIS OWN LIGHT) shows that He is God, Jesus is I AM, Adonai, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This apocalypse and theophany was needed for John, Peter and James. This was salutary to be recorded by the blessed Evangelist in Holy Writ for you as well.
But it is never about mere power and glory. It is always about Jesus Christ and Him Crucified for your sins, because of Love, Mercy and Peace. It wasn't that "light show" that paid for your sins; it was the "Blood Show" of the Suffering Servant that saved!
The Law which does not save was there at the top with Him. The Prophet(s), the best biblical knowledge and teaching, which do not save was there at the top with Him. Both Moses and Elias were communing with Jesus not for their sakes but for yours. Yes, the Lord's Human Nature, His Manhood took comfort, solace, and encouragement from their words of love and supplication; for they spoke to Him about His upcoming exodus. The office of the Holy Ministry (the office of servanthood) is beautifully typified by BOTH Moses the Levitical Priest and King, along with Elias, the greatest of the God-Talkers, Preachers, and Prophets. They ministered to their Lord with heaven-sent counsel coming from "outside of time" itself, for they were both "with the Lord" and "In Christ" in a heavenly Trinitarian way that we can't even fully understand.
They focused and fortified the God/Man. Yes, of course He was going to willingly and joyfully depart from that summit on His own volition. It is manifestly certain that out of love to His Father and to you He was going to gladly give His life for His sheep. But nonetheless, their Saintly succor shows you the love of communion, the love of family, the company of the Saints, and the supernal contentment brothers and sisters in Christ receive when they give comfort and solidity. And too, the Christ also ministered to Moses and Elias. He could answer their queries (and those of the Martyred Saints in Revelation) of "how long Oh Lord" with, "Soon, very soon, for I set My Face towards Jerusalem!"
Until such time (soon, very soon) as you receive your Mansion in Glory, He places you in this tabernacle, this tent, for your safe-keeping.
You are here at Augsburg's Triune Tent of Three when you're brought by His Gospel to font, pulpit + and altar. You are placed into this triune fellowship with Saints James, Peter, and John; with Elias, Moses, and Christ; with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; with Father, Son + and Holy Ghost. Meditate and concentrate not on the splendor of the vision but on the certitude of the Words! Mountain top or valley bottom it matters not; full stomach or hungry belly, well costumed or in rags; cold or comfortable it matters not; for He is with you!
Be not afraid dear children, The Shepherd of Light and Life is here with you IN HIS WORD and for you IN HIS WORD. He comes and touches you, and feeds you. The Father is now well pleased with you because He is well pleased with His Only Begotten - - Hear Him!
Be not afraid. Peace to you. Your sins are forgiven. Life and salvation are yours!
In the Name of The Father and of + The Son and of The Holy Ghost