1st Sunday in Lent: Hebrews 4:14-16

Feb 17, 2013, 1^st Sunday in Lent (Invocabit), Texts: Psalm 118:1-13; Genesis 3:1-21; Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Matthew 4:1-11; Title: We Confess the Great High Priest; Rev Tim Beck 

Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.  Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.  And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,  being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek (Heb 4:14-16, ESV). Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb 5:7-9, ESV).

          Hold fast our confession. Hold fast the same word we received together, the same word we say together, and the same word we live together. We are admonished to hold fast to that word because we are tempted in subtle and large ways, tempted to give in, to give up, to go belly up in the battle. Hold fast our confession!  Hold fast to what you received, to Him who faithfully grasps you with His love.

          Do you notice the apparent paradox – Scripture tells us our salvation is all God’s doing, if we are damned it is our own fault. He who justified sinners like us, grasps us, holds us, brings us into the kingdom of God and yet we are admonished to hold on, to fight, to resist temptation. Only Christians are so admonished, because Christ dwells only in those who believe the confession. And we are given both reason and confidence for holding fast: “Having therefore, a Great High Priest…”  We have a Great High Priest who intercedes for us, who presents us faultless before the Father’s throne. And that is who we hold fast to, clinging to the one whom first clings to us. We cling to the Word, to the one Christ.

          That confession is stated in as few words as Jesus is the Christ, and as many as in the Book of Concord; for the church has always confessed. The faithful have always confessed, from Old Testament times until Christ returns. Hold fast the confession that the Living God revealed to us. In Scripture we have succinct summaries of the faith wherever God’s people gather, such as “Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one” (Dt. 6:4).  And, Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Mt 16:15-16); and “every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God…” (I Jn 1) And “…baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Mt 28:20) And “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rm 10:9). And “He was manifest in the flesh, justified by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” (I Tim 3:16)                                  As the church was forced to deal with heresies, they confessed what Scripture proclaimed, summarizing in the words of the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. The controversies of the 1500’s gave birth to the Augsburg Confession. Such statements are worth of your study, that you know the confession of the church, so that you may hold fast. We even decorate our building to confess; for example, the chancel wears the     colors of suffering to testify Jesus Christ died to save sinners. We confess this from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday, through Maundy Thursday, to Good Friday, and then gloriously confess the Resurrection in white and gold.

          We would have nothing to confess if our Lord had not suffered, died, and rose.  We would have no great high priest. But we do have a Great High Priest. And we need one, for He alone entered into the true Holy of Holies and offered a final and complete sacrifice for the sins of the people. This High Priest mediates between God and sinners, for he alone may approach the Holy God.  So in olden times the High Priest of old foreshadowed the coming Christ. He offered sacrifice for the sins of the people, and his own. He entered the holy of holies once a year to make atonement. He prayed for God’s people, for their forgiveness and cleansing. He declared God’s good will toward His people, sending them away in peace.

          But this only foreshadowed the great High Priest, the true High Priest.  Jesus, the Son of God, one with the Father… and also true man. He sympathizes with our weaknesses being tempted in all respects as we are.  Jesus understands our troubles, even if He never gave into temptation (as our gospel reading details). That alone means He suffered more than any of us. For when you are tempted, is it hard to resist? How often do you give in to escape the pressure; or have you endured to the point of shedding your blood? And if you fall, do you confess to your High Priest, the one who suffered in order to absolve your guilt? He understands our trials and our failing, for as Rm. 8:3 tells us, he took on the likeness of sinful flesh. Although God’s Son, Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered, for this was the Father’s will. He prayed with strong cries and tears to the one able to save him out of death. “Father if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, but not as I will, as thy will.” Tempted to save Himself He prayed, “The cup that my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?”         

          He knows better than we our weaknesses, fears, sorrows, frailty, and temptations, since he bore them. He was tempted in all respects as we are, and thank God, did not sin. Therefore, not only can he sympathize, He is worthy to be the great high priest.  No other priest appointed by God could say that.  All others pled for the sins of the people and offered up sacrifices for their own.  But Jesus, the Great High Priest, is worthy to speak to God. He is the worthy sacrifice. He is worthy because he obeyed the Father. Therefore He became the source of salvation to all who obey Him, who believe in Him. This Great High Priest passed through the holy of holies, through the curtain of the Temple, through the curtain of death into the throne room of heaven. He entered the presence of the Father; Jesus, true man and true God, to share the throne of God as our High Priest, our elder brother, our hope. After His terrible cry “It is finished” came the trumpet blast of victory over sin, death, and the devil.

          Now we approach with confidence the throne of grace, and receive mercy in time of need. This is the confession given us, the confession we say together, believe together, having received it together in the promises of Baptism. Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest, is your intercessor, your strength, your hope. Call upon Him and He will hear.  Martin Luther put it this way to his congregation:  Why does Christ suffer?  He is a fine, good, fruitful Tree and has not deserved so stern a sentence; but He suffers it for our sake.  He is now undertaking this journey in order to carry out His office as Priest; and He intends not only to pray for sinners but also to sacrifice His body and life on the altar of the cross so that God will be appeased through this sacrifice and poor sinners will be freed from the wrath of God and be heirs of eternal life.  That is why it hurts the Lord to see that we weep at the sight of His suffering.  He wants us to be glad, praise God, thank His grace, extol, glorify, and confess Him; for through this journey we come into the possession of the grace of God.  By it we have been freed from sin and death and have become God’s dear children.  (Martin Luther, SL 13a, 441)

          Hold fast, because the one we confess holds us fast.  Hold fast by drawing near to the throne of grace. Hold fast with confidence, because your High Priest intercedes for you. God’s mercy and grace is for your joy, you, His adopted children. That is what we are taught to confess. That confession surrounds us today. We partake in that confession, confessing our Lord’s death, partaking of His Testament. Let us receive His body and blood for the forgiveness of sins, for life and salvation; His pledge of eternal life for us.

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord (Amen).

The Last Sunday in Epiphany: I Samuel 16:1-13

Feb 10, 2013; Last Sunday in Epiphany; Texts: Psalm 89:18-29; I Samuel 16:1-13; I Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 18:31-43; Title: The Lord Speaks, Samuel Does and David Gets (Rev. Tim Beck)

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

On first reading, this passage looks clear-cut. The Lord speaks, Samuel does and David gets. On second look there is a lot to consider. The highpoint seems to be the Lord doesn’t judge by outward appearance but by the heart, by what’s hidden, by what’s inside the person.  That presents a problem. Why did God choose Saul in the first place? Couldn’t He tell what was inside, or          is something going on we don’t see? Are the ways God accomplishes His purposes often hidden from us? And a smaller question, why do the elders of Bethlehem tremble at seeing the prophet Samuel? He’s the good-guy, isn’t he? And is it honest for Samuel to say, “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord?” Why didn’t Samuel give the full reason he anointed David? When Samuel left, they all wondered “what was that about?” This event is full of questions. However, we know this: The Lord speaks, Samuel does, David gets; and that is very, very encouraging. Let’ see if we can put the pieces together by the end of this sermon.

          Our text begins: The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? What’s Saul’s history? Why did the Lord reject him? Saul was Israel’s first king. Before that judges ruled and godly Samuel was the last of the judges for this reason: Israel wanted to be like the other nations. They wanted a king too. What a pity. They were meant to be different, distinctly God’s people… like the church today.  God’s people are meant to stick out too… not in how we dress or what language we speak. We are to live exemplary lives, although others can too. What makes us and Israel distinct is our worship - God speaking to us, justifying us, we receiving that Divine Service and in thanksgiving, sharing our hope in Christ.

          Because the true God is distinct, distinctly for his people, Israel was not to blend her worship with Canaanite worship. For example, eating pig, a Canaanite sacred animal, was out of the question.  So too anything that compromised pure worship of the true God. Likewise, Israel was to rely on the Lord, not on a strong central government.  But Israel demanded to be like their neighbors, to have a king, and God let them have their wish, even as he let them fell into apostasy in years to come. So Samuel anointed God’s chosen king, the first one. And in ways Saul was like David. He was extraordinarily handsome (I S 9:2), but unlike David, taller than anyone in Israel. Next to the Philistine Goliath and his brothers, Saul was the strongest man around. After Samuel anointed Saul, the Spirit rushed upon him, like David; though those who knew Saul thought it out of character (I Sam 10:11). Like David, he was anointed to be exemplary in obeying the 10 commandments and to be a shepherd, wielding the sword to defend Israel. And he was the Lord’s anointed in order to remain faithful to God as he served Israel. Israel’s kings, priests and prophets were called to be God’s shepherds, for Israel was God’s people, a holy nation, a theocracy.

          Of course in America, our founders established no theocracy, but following certain ideas of their Christian heritage they knew government was meant to serve. Until recently, police cars were inscribed “to serve and protect.” Government was called the servant of the people. America had a national consciousness of the Living God and feared divine wrath, evidenced by many past presidents announcing national days of repentance. So we understand something of Saul’s fall - called by God to serve, but his service turned selfish, craving glory. The last straw was the Lord’s anointed failed to finish a holy war, to finish God’s judgment on Amalek. True, Saul won the battle but he kept the loot. Saul didn’t devote the plunder to the Lord or kill the Amalekite king as commanded. Saul kept King Agag as a trophy to show off to other kings, a custom of the day. So Samuel killed Agag, hacking him to bits before the Lord. And Samuel said to Saul that he was rejected by the Lord as king.

          Samuel grieved over that tall, handsome man who for a time did so much for Israel in the name of the Lord, before doing it for his own credit. The moral is clear, for the sin of rebellion, presumption and pride let us examine ourselves and repent, lest we who were washed in Baptism become filthy again. Let the church repent our lust for the world’s admiration. There may yet be hope. Because Saul would not repent the Lord chose a replacement: Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” The Lord’s anointing was given to another. 

          Samuel goes to a small town near the Jebusite capital, yet unconquered by Israel. He goes to Jesse’s house, the son of Boaz the Israelite and Ruth the Moabitess. You remember Ruth; she was Naomi’s daughter in law. She left her Moabite gods to worship Naomi’s God, and left her chance for re-marriage by leaving her native land. But the Lord intervened, and kind, wealthy, godly Boaz married Ruth. Jesse was their son. Jesse had many sons. But for Samuel there’s an obstacle. Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” Although he is a prophet, Samuel is no longer judge. Saul, although in rebellion to God, rules. Saul will defend his crown no matter what it takes. Why must God’s prophet fear for his life and why is Saul allowed to reign years more since the Lord rejected him as king? Life was messy then too. Yet the Lord was accomplishing His purpose. So too He works in the messiness of our lives to make His way clear, at the right time.  

          And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you.” 4 Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem.  That is what prophets do, what Samuel does. There is no lie, only a hidden purpose. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

          Why do the elders tremble in fear of Samuel? Is it he hacked king Agag to pieces in Gilgal, in the sight of the Lord, to fulfill God’s war with Amalek! The Lord is both holy and unpredictable and that is frightening.  And the little town of Bethlehem, in the shadow of the Jebusites, are they holy? Samuel tells these trembling men he comes to sacrifice, to propitiate a holy God.  He offers peace with a holy God and they are invited to partake. They set themselves apart for the Lord, and receive the benefits of the sacrifice, a holy feast that purifies them. Surely you see a parallel here between the testaments.  There is the forgiveness of sins with a visible sign. Those forgiven eat and drink before the Lord as His set-apart and uncommon people, His sanctified people who share in the hidden purposes of the Lord.

          6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.”

          The Lord doesn’t judge by outward appearance but sees the heart. He has a hidden purpose, to shepherd His people Israel. Yet the moral isn’t “therefore if you want God to choose you, it’s up to you to be good inside.” The moral isn’t “That person fell into hardship because the Lord knew the junk that was inside.”  Perhaps a tiny application is don’t elect public officials by appearance, but by evidence of a heart for service. Unlike Saul, David at least understood how to serve sheep. A somewhat better “moral” is don’t measure the heart of others according to civil righteousness, to the appearance of good works, but according to faith. For example, Saul’s works looked good enough. They were praised by Israel, while Jesus was rejected and crucified as the worst of criminals. The chief “moral” is that God knows us better than we ourselves. He sees our blindness, hears our deafness and can speak through our muteness. He judges our hearts, yet He is also the Saviour, justifying sinners.

          David was not chosen for the throne because he was so much better than Saul, for David had adultery and murder in his heart, among other sins like presumption and pride. David was called a man after God’s own heart, most of his life, because he was a man of repentance, turning to the Saviour (As said Charles Porterfield Krauth, a contemporary with C.F.W. Walther, “The Lutheran Church is the church of courage because she is the church of repentance”). When it comes right down to it, we cannot say that the Lord chose David because He saw some special quality in Him. We are left with something hidden in God’s will, His working out a divine purpose; though it is clear that the Lord’s hand was upon David, and that he was repentant.

          13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. David was anointed and the Spirit of the Lord fell upon him and remained, except for a time of unbelief we already referred to (remember Uriah and his wife?)   And after Samuel sacrificed the people feasted as God’s uncommon, holy people. Then Samuel left having completed the Lord’s business. But questions remain in the minds of these folks. What was David anointed for? Was he to be among the prophets, as once was said of Saul, “Is he also among the prophets?” Who suspected it was to be king? Only God and Samuel knew David’s role to come. Soon David would kill Goliath, be brought into Saul’s court to play the harp for demonized Saul, and suffer Saul’s attempts to kill him out of jealousy. He would be commanded to collect 100 Philistine foreskins to marry one of the king’s daughters, Saul thinking it would be David’s death. When it wasn’t, Saul takes a direct approach and hunts David like a beast, driving him out of Israel until the day Saul died. Who could see the Lord’s hand resting upon David to be king? Life is messy. Life is messy but doctrine pure, holy, and preserved. The Lord fulfills His word.

          That answers all the questions of our text but one, the most important of all. What does this have to do with the coming Christ? David knew the promise that began with Adam and Eve and continued with Seth and Enoch, then Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Israel, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, the Judges to Samuel. Despite all the rebellions of Adam, Cain, Lamech, Canaan, Esau, Laban and the people of Israel, including demanding a king, the promise works its will underneath all the messiness of life. The promise is the purpose by which the Lord’s deals with our fallen race. Soon David is anointed king over Judah, and then over all Israel.  Soon David, Spirit-rushed, prophesies of the Christ in psalms. Soon he conquers the Jebusite capital and establishes Jerusalem, city of peace. Soon he brings the tabernacle to the royal city, that the Lord be exalted. Soon the Lord promises that from David’s lineage, one who is root and shoot of Jesse shall reign as king forever, in righteousness and love. Do not read this history like a secular journal. It is the history of the Lord’s saving work among His chosen people. It is about the Christ.

          Saul too was chosen and filled with the Spirit, but he rebelled and would not repent, so was cast out. But the repentant sinner is before the Lord forever, beloved and preserved.  The repentant sinner is courageous because He is absolved.  The people living these events, could they fit all the pieces together? So too our lives; on the other hand, we don’t need to understand it all, we who believe the promises of God. We have seen the glory of God in the mess made of the Suffering Servant, the servant of sinners. We have also seen His exaltation in the resurrection. Jesus Christ is the anointed King of kings, and His government is service to us. Truly you receive Divine Service today in His body and blood. You receive the worship that sets us apart from all other people. He who names us His, will bring us into His eternal kingdom, into a glory incomprehensible, wonderful beyond measure.  The Lord speaks, Samuel does and David gets, and that divine promise is for you too. And this is very, very encouraging. 

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord (Amen).

Transfiguration: 2 Peter 1:16-29

Feb 3, 2013; Transfiguration; Texts: Psalm 2; Exodus 34:29-35; 2 Peter 1:16-29; Matthew 17:1-9; Title: The Glory of Hidden Glory; Rev. Tim Beck

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

The epiphany we celebrate today is glorious, the epiphany of the transfiguration - the revealing of Jesus’ humanity in glory! Jesus goes to a mountain and makes it holy by what is revealed. He reveals His hidden glory to 3 disciples told to be witnesses; only, keep this revelation hidden until after the crucifixion, he says. After I’m victorious over the darkest place, then you declare my transfiguration, says Jesus. After all, one day believers will know the glory that follows the cross. Until then, like the crucifixion, much of life is dark. Winter clouds dim the sun, aging takes the light from our eyes, and dark hearts withdraw into our own little worlds.  We’re tempted to forget what is promised, what is hidden under our trials. We hear the sun still shines above the clouds but we want to reply, the only thing sure is death and taxes. Oh no, Christians, we know there is more - there is something more certain. Consider God’s word spoken upon mountains made holy by that word: There’s Mt. Transfiguration and its promise – the glory to be revealed. There’s Mt. Sinai that caused Moses’ face to shine – the glory of the law. There’s Mt. Golgotha and what it so richly bestows – the glory of grace.

          These mountains were sanctified by the Holy One, the Son of God, who revealed Himself to take us to the highest mount, Mount Zion, the dwelling place of God. Peter tells us who Jesus is: For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son,  with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. After hearing that voice, the disciples descended into the troubling valleys, and fell away when Jesus was lifted up for all to see, revealing the most profound glory of all.        Then Jesus, in resurrection body appeared, giving peace, opening minds, sending the Holy Spirit so that the disciples bore their crosses, confident of future glory.

          We share something in common with the disciples. We too are pilgrims without an abiding place in the world, as the God-breathed book of Hebrews reminds us. We’re like Abraham; our pilgrimage is not a tourist trip to luxurious resorts for the world wears the futility of sin. It rebels against the Life-giving God. So Christian, your faith is despised by the world. Why did the US Department of Health and Human Services require religious organizations to provide insurance coverage that includes abortifacients? Last year two owners of Levi Strauss donated $16 million dollars to the University of California, Berkeley for homosexual advocacy... Will that build Christ’s values? Your faith is despised in this world, and we can name no end of such examples. But Jesus said, “Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” 

          He overcame this world, the one of depravity, blindness, self-destruction, futility and hopelessness. That includes your sin as well. The Son of God made man overcame. He won the battle, our battle against God. In the battle against the world do not trust your arm as you battle sin in you. Listen to the Word: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rm 8:1). And “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:14). He who overcame the world did so by forgiving our sin. Then He joined us to His death to unite us to His life. Despite the devil’s temptations, despite sin in us, despite the world, Christ won. To spite our enemies, you sinner are declared righteous, saved by grace.

          Apart from anything you or I do, apart from anyone but the Glorious One, we have been saved by Christ’s peace, peace with God.  And that peace gives countless benefits. For example, we have a foretaste of the transfiguration. Even now Christ lives in us.  That’s why James, breathing out God’s word, could say: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jas 4:7).  He flees, not due to your strength, but when you call upon your Lord. Though the fight wearies us, tempting us to give into its relentless pressures, nevertheless, Christ overcame sin, death and the devil. Despite the darkness of this life, Christ crucified conquered the dark.  So Christian, we are not called to permanently withdraw to a mountaintop alone. The hermits of past ages but ran away from their true vocations in the valleys.  Nor should we wish to escape trials, to be a billionaire with a chef, a personal trainer, a masseuse, and a therapist who daily says “you’re great!”

          Rather, since Christ lives in us, we prayerfully carry out our vocations, troubles and all, following the Son of God who humbled Himself to become man. We have a Saviour who entered our afflictions and grief, who dying, rose to share the spoils of his victory with us. He gave signs of good will and a future in Him, such as in the transfiguration. He gave signs bestowing glorious promises. For you received His invisible power and glory in holy baptism; by the visible sign of water and the word, this is what you are promised: When God our Savior appeared, he saved us… according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior… that we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:4-7).

          What glory! Your sins are forgiven, and you received the Holy Spirit and the presence of Christ to sanctify. As God’s presence made Mt. Sinai, Mt Transfiguration, and Mt Golgotha Holy, so you, declared holy, are set apart for Him as His dwelling place. This hope, the hope of glory, is hidden in weakness. As Christ is hidden under visible signs so He is hidden in you. For example, veiled in bread and wine Jesus says “this is my body, this is my blood.”  And that cup of blessing is a taste of paradise to strengthen you in a pilgrim’s journey.  In glory hidden under signs Christ promises what we shall be, giving strength to conquer faith’s enemies. These signs veil their glory in the ordinary and sustain us through the difficult. These lights carry us through darkness, as a prophetic Word “made more sure.”  Christ was lifted up for all to see, his crucifixion our certain sign of glory, showing God’s good will in full.

          That’s why the transfiguration was kept hidden until after the crucifixion. It was hidden due to our sinful quest for wrong-headed glory, the crown without a cross. After all, the transfiguration was our Saviour’s preparation to die. For the Lord of glory became flesh for us, in a transfiguration of humility. God’s Son, the bright Morning Star became the sacrificial Lamb so that the promises of His transfiguration are yours. This glory is hidden in you oh Christian, Christ living in you, so that you daily die to sin and rise to life everlasting. One day the Glory shall be revealed. Even as Jesus’ humanity shone upon the Mount of Transfiguration, the fullness of Baptism’s promises will be manifest. Remember that in this earthly pilgrimage: heaven’s glory is hidden in you, so that like Christ, we humble ourselves to serve our neighbor.  Our Lord’s resurrection power is hidden in you, that we share the unveiled glory of His cross with those who dwell in darkness. 

          So the pilgrim church goes to every tribe, nation and tongue baptizing and making disciples, teaching all that Christ taught. Those sent go in hope, bearing the glory of God hidden under weakness, declaring the forgiveness of sins that opens the brilliance of heaven. You too are called to glory, told that the devil, the world, and your sinful flesh will not triumph over the love of God in Christ Jesus for you. You were joined to Christ’s death so that the day your body dies you enter resurrection life, awaiting Christ return for the resurrection of the body. You have this promise from Holy Scripture, including the record of Moses and Elijah, in brilliant bodies shining, and speaking of Jesus’ soon departure.  These two saints were sinners like us. Now they in glory shine. As the Lord kept them He keeps you and me until our wonderful arrival. We are pilgrims of the cross, who walk toward our transfiguration when our lowly bodies will become like the Christ’s glorious body. Meanwhile, His hidden glory abides in us, we who live by faith. We who confess our sins are forgiven, and our lives are set apart for holy things. We shall be completed by what is revealed, when Jesus reveals His hidden glory. This we know because Jesus conquered the darkest place. We too shall shine; God’s holy people upon the highest mount named Zion, the dwelling place of God.

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus our Lord (Amen).