The Transfiguration of our Lord | 2 March 2025 | A Sermon on Luke 9:28-43a | by the Rev. Beth A. Schlegel, STS |

text  English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles  (or other version)

^{Luke 9:28-43a}

^{Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.}

^{37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. 40 And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41 Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God.}

“I told you so!”

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

“I told you so!”

My older brother would sometimes say this to me when we were having one of our spats. He would say something like, “You’re gonna get it when Mom finds out.”To which I, being bratty at 6 years old, would say, “No I’m not. I’m the favorite.” And of course, when our mother found out whatever it was, I did in fact “get it” on the behind. And my brother smiled victoriously and said, “I told you so!”

…

Not all instances of “I told you so” are childish. Some are hopeful.

“You’ll get a date to the dance.” No, I won’t. And, when they do, they hear, “I told you so.”

…

Today, most Lutherans celebrate the Transfiguration of our Lord. Some other Christians celebrate it in August, and still others at some other time. Whenever it is observed, it is an important event in the life of the Lord Jesus and his Church.

And it is an occasion that could be described as a hopeful “I told you so” moment for God.

The last words of the last Old Testament prophet, Malachi, speak of the day of God’s judgment.
The Lord Almighty says, “The day is coming when all proud and evil people will burn like straw. On that day they will burn up, and there will be nothing left of them. ² But for you who obey me, my saving power will rise on you like the sun and bring healing like the sun’s rays. You will be as free and happy as calves let out of a stall. ³ On the day when I act, you will overcome the wicked, and they will be like dust under your feet.⁴ “Remember the teachings of my servant Moses, the laws and commands which I gave him at Mount Sinai for all the people of Israel to obey.⁵ “But before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes, I will send you the prophet Elijah. ⁶ He will bring fathers and children together again [in repentance]; otherwise I would have to come and destroy your country.” Malachi 4

This prophetic word of God comes to life on the Mount of Transfiguration.

On the mountain, Moses the Lawgiver and Elijah the prophet of God’s day of judgment both flank the radiant Sun of Righteousness, Jesus. And God says, “See? I told you so.” I told you to remember the Law of Moses and that I would send Elijah to remind you to repent of your disobedience before my judgment destroys all evil.

On the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah speak to Jesus about his departure or exodus from this earth, to be accomplished in Jerusalem.

         This exodus would be accomplished

• by Jesus dying on the cross, taking upon himself God’s judgment against the evil of humanity,
• by him rising from the dead to defeat sin, death, and evil,
• and by him ascending to the Father to exercise authority over heaven and earth.

         It is an exodus of cosmic proportions, a divine action to transform all things, a journey from one glory to another.

Just as the first Exodus, led by Moses, was driven by God’s promise of redemption and new life for the enslaved Hebrew people, so this second exodus by Jesus would deliver all humanity from slavery to sin and death into the promised land of eternal life.

And God says, “I told you so!” Do you not remember that I told you I would make a new covenant with you and forgive all your sins? (Jeremiah 31)    Remember when I said (Isaiah 40:9)

Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good news;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
lift it up, do not fear;
say to the cities of Judah,
“Here is your God!”

Well, here is your God! This is my Son. My Chosen one. Listen to Him. Luke 9:35

I told you so!

 [my word] shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose
and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

¹² For you shall go out in joy
and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall burst into song,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Isaiah 55:11-12

Jesus is God’s living Word that shines with heaven’s radiant glory.

When we listen to him, when we live as he teaches, when we place our trust in him for our life, then we will live joyfully and enjoy God’s peace.

…

In just a few days, we will begin the spiritual journey of Lent.

On Ash Wednesday, we consider that we are made of dust and will return to dust – that is, we are mortal. We are not God. We are sinners who need God. Thus begins our journey of repentance, as Jesus invites us:

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” Mark 1:15

Our transfigured Lord Jesus shows us where our journey leads – to the glory of God.

• That glory is the glory of victory over the forces of evil, sin, and death – yours and mine.
• It is the glory of the triumph of the Light of Christ over all darkness.
• It is the glory of precious metal that has been purified and rendered pure and beautiful.
• It is the glory of radiant love of the heavenly Bridegroom for his Bride, the Church.

It is the glory of God that seeks our hearts to bring us into that promised land of the Father’s house forever.

As we enter the valley of the shadow of death in the Lenten season, let us hold the vision of our transfigured Lord Jesus before our eyes, so that we do not despair of ourselves or become overwhelmed by difficulties. Instead, carrying our cross, let us trust in Jesus the Christ to bring us along with him safely through that valley into eternal life with him.

There, we will hear again God’s “I told you so! I so loved the world that I gave my only Son that whoever believes in him might not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

In the name of the Father, and of the +Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

—

©The Rev. Beth A. Schlegel

   pastorschlegel@live.com

   St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, York, PA, USA

   Christ Lutheran Church, Manchester, PA, USA