Our Sermons

Bible Passage: Matthew 17:1-9
Pastor: Pastor Schlicht
Sermon Date:  February 23, 2020

Interruptions are interesting because they can be anything from frustrating to life-saving, depending on the context. Maybe you’re finally getting something done at home when your child needs attention. Maybe you’re in the zone at work when a colleague comes into your office unexpectedly. That can be frustrating. But say you’re driving and you’re about to hit another car when someone honks their horn. That interruption might just save your life. Today we are going to look at the context of Jesus’ transfiguration in Matthew chapter 17 and answer the question, “What should you do when God interrupts?”

Six days later Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John the brother of James; and he led them up onto a high mountain by themselves. It is 6 days after Jesus talked to his disciples in Caesara Philipppi. He told them about the suffering that is to come for him on the cross and for those who would follow him. This is significant that Matthew records this period 6 days. It is going to come into play soon. 2 There he was transfigured in front of them. His face was shining like the sun. His clothing became as white as the light.  This is a vital event in Jesus’ ministry, recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and referenced by John as well. Jesus is transfigured, literally “transformed.” The veil of human weakness that has concealed his glory is removed for a moment and Jesus shines like the sun itself. Just for a little while Jesus reveals his divinity in an undeniable demonstration of glory.

Just then, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. The embodiment of the Law and the Prophets stand next to Jesus. Luke lets us know that they were discussing Jesus’ death in Jerusalem and all that he would fulfill. Peter, James, and John are viewing all of this in what I can only imagine as utter astonishment. And Peter, whose mouth often got in gear before his brain, begins to speak: 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, I will make three shelters here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While Jesus is talking about God’s plan, Peter has a plan he wants to run by everyone. “Hey Jesus, let’s turn this hike into a camping trip. We can make a tent for you, Elijah, and Moses. Then we can all just hang out for a while up here and wait out all of that dying and suffering part. Let the Pharisees cool off. It’ll be fine. His plan is not thought out very well; it’s emotional and experientially driven. And beyond it being completely naive, he is forgetting what Jesus just told him six days ago. They can’t stay here, they must go back to Jerusalem. Jesus has a mission to complete and Peter isn’t listening. And that’s when God interrupts: 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them. Just then, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down and were terrified. “While he was still speaking…” Peter is cut off, graciously interrupted by the voice of God. God reminds them that Jesus is his Son, true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. (We will recite that in the Nicene Creed after the semon today.) God wants them to know that Jesus is his Son and therefore, on the basis of his identity, they should listen to him.

I will note that Peter was not doing anything purposefully sinful or evil with his tent idea. He was speaking from misunderstanding, and that needed to be addressed, but he was not actively opposed to God in this case. And yet God needed to graciously interrupt him. Like Peter, though our plans may not purposefully be opposed to God, we too often need to be interrupted by God. We need to be interrupted from our own babbling. It may be the inner accusations from sins already confessed and forgiven, or the adamant refusal to let go of a grudge. Or, more closely related to our text, the voice in our hearts that longs for something temporary, earthly, and comfortable, but is not focused on God and his Word. 

We all have plans. We have plans for the future. Plans for our families, our marriages, our kids. Plans for a relationship. Plans for a career. Plans for retirement. Plans for our health. All sorts of plans. And nothing seems worse than when your best laid plans are interrupted by the voice of God. I’ll use three examples that I’ve run into as a Pastor. The first is a young woman who was really excited about a guy she had begun dating. She had plans, way too early, that included things like a big ring and a white dress. The relationship was going perfect until the Word of God interrupted. Her boyfriend wanted to move in and be sexually active but God interjected saying that that he designed the gift of sex to be enjoyed only in marriage. Her plans for the relationship were interrupted; she was incredibly frustrated and torn. And she was afraid of being alone. What should she do when God interrupts?  The second example is a middle aged man I know who moved up a position at work. He had plans for a long future with that company. But soon he found out that unethical decisions were being made and the voice of God within his conscience began to interrupt. He knew that he should say something, but that it wouldn’t bode well for his future there. He was stressed and tempted to compromise morally. He was afraid of losing his job. What should he do when God interrupts? The third was a woman who retired with her husband and had great plans for a summer home and time with grandchildren. But then the voice of God interrupted. He called her husband home to heaven and she was left behind. Her plans were ruined and she was angry, and sad, and afraid to live life without him. What should she do now that God had interrupted? What will you do when God interrupts your plan? (If he hasn’t already.) Will you become frustrated and fearful? Will you grow bitter and resent him? Or, will you do what your Heavenly Father commanded the disciples to do on the Mount of Transfiguration. Will you “Listen to Him,” specifically, will you listen to Jesus?

Just listen to what Jesus said on the Mount of Transfiguration. 7 Jesus approached and as he touched them, he said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.”  This is the one whom we are to listen to. The voice from the Father makes the disciples fall down to the ground; but Jesus says “Get up.” The Father’s interruption terrified them, but Jesus says, “do not be afraid.” We see the kindness and love of our Savior here, who takes pity on his disciples. He showed them his glory to solidify them in their conviction and now he reassures them to continue on with him without fear, even to the cross. And you know what? That’s exactly where Jesus went. That is where Jesus went to fulfill God’s plan to save our souls. Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem and would not be interrupted from his saving mission. He died for all the times we are frustrated with God and afraid to listen to him. He died for all the ill-conceived earthly plans we get so wrapped up in. And then after he was buried and his disciples hid in fear. He himself, got up, rose to life, and once again told his disciples not to be afraid. My friends, when God interrupts, listen to him. Don’t be afraid to obey his voice. Don’t be frustrated, it won’t do you any good. When God interrupts, listen to him. Trust that your Savior, the one who shines like the sun, is trustworthy. Trust that Jesus, who gave his life for you, has his best in mind for you when he interrupts. Trust that the Holy Spirit will give you strength to obey his Word and that in so doing you will be blessed. 

Do you want to know what the people I used as examples did? They listened to Him. The young woman ended up getting dumped because she wouldn’t have sex with the guy and she is now married to a Christian man she met online. The man who knew about the unethical decision talked to his supervisor and was soon training his replacement. He lost his job, but he kept what matters. And the Lord blessed him with new employment not long after. And finally, that dear woman whose husband passed away: She listened to her Savior too. She rejoices that because He lives, her husband also lives. And she is thankful that although these years apart are painful, she gets to spend an eternity with him around the throne of God in heaven. And do you want to know what happened to the apostle Peter? He was crucified for listening to Jesus. According to tradition, he was crucified upside down, not believing himself worthy to be killed in the same way as Jesus. That was not his initial plan, but in the end he knew that listening to Jesus was more than worth it. He was confident of it. And he wants you to be confident of God’s Word as well. We don’t have Jesus shining like the sun in front of us, we don’t hear the voice of the Father booming from heaven, but we have something just as confirming in the Bible. Peter wrote: For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father…“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place. (2 Peter 1:16-19) Amen.