A Sneak Peak of Glory:

Luke 9:28-36

As a child, I loved collecting sports cards, always hoping to uncover a rare and valuable gem. That thrill of discovering hidden worth is something we see throughout history—from buried treasure to The Antiques Roadshow. We love to extract glory, to separate what is valuable from the ordinary. But on the mountain of Transfiguration, God does something different: He brings His glory into the world, not to be hidden away but to be given to us.

Jesus takes Peter, John, and James up the mountain where suddenly His appearance changes. His face shines, and His clothes become dazzling white. As if that weren’t enough, Moses and Elijah appear, two great figures from Israel’s history, pointing to the fulfillment of God’s promises. Yet, at the center of it all is Jesus. His glory is revealed, not as something to be hoarded, but as something meant to be shared.

Peter wants to capture the moment, to build shelters and remain on the mountain. But Jesus' glory is not the kind to be trapped and preserved in a museum. That is to say, the true glory of Jesus is in the wounds He bears, the suffering He endures, and the victory He wins over sin and death.

A voice from the cloud then declares, "This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to Him!" That is our call today. We listen to Jesus as He reveals God's kingdom—a kingdom where the poor are blessed, the sick are healed, and the lost are found. We listen as He sets His face toward Jerusalem, marching toward the cross, where His ultimate glory will be on full display for all to see. We listen as He invites us into that glory, not as spectators but as recipients.

Jesus' Transfiguration is a sneak peek of what is to come. Just as He was glorified, so too will we be raised to new and transformed life. This glory is not something we need to search for or discover for ourselves. It is given freely in Christ. Even now, through His Word and Sacraments, He imparts His glory to us, forgiving our sins and granting us eternal life. And one day, on the Last Day, we will stand fully in that glory, raised with Him in victory.

In Christ,

Pastor Nick