Bulletin (Long)

Bulletin (Short)

Living from the Liturgy

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‘Lord, it is good that we are here.’

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The day has come. St. Peter now sees the Christ that he has always desired from the depth of his heart.

For not long ago, it was Peter who took Jesus aside, and rebuked him, for the Lord was speaking nonsense about being tried, and beaten, and crucified. How could Jesus rebuke him? Peter wanted nothing else but that his Lord live, and that his Lord save his people, that his Lord save Peter. He wanted nothing else that the Christ would come, and deliver the wretched Israelites, who have lived as thralls for so many centuries from the burden of the judgment placed upon them for their manifold idolatries under the reign of kings.

But when he was called, when Jesus said to him, ‘follow me, and I will make you fishers of men,’ Peter’s heart burned within him. He did not know who this man was yet, but he knew that in Him was hope, the only hope who spoke to him in the despair of his wanderings.

Peter followed Him, and witnessed the authority of His teaching, and the wonders of His signs. And more and more He grew to know that this was not some wandering magician, nor even a wise man, nor even a prophet. This, rather, was the Christ; Him who would sit upon the throne of David, the king who strove after God’s own heart.

He thought that His Messiah had become overwhelmed with grief, for Jesus started to speak womanish things; that somehow He would not ascend the throne, that He would not lead His people against their enemies. That somehow His enemies would get the best of Him, and His people curse Him and overthrow Him.

That the scribes and Pharisees would denounce him.

That they would kill him.

That the Son of Man must suffer many things….

He tried to comfort His Christ, but for this He was attacked, even called Satan. Perhaps, he thought, such unsettling thoughts as these even come upon the Messiah. Perhaps, he thought, he should just let it go for the time being. After all, Peter was sure, this was God’s Christ, and God would not let such despair overwhelm Him. God would glorify His Servant.

Now the Lord and some of His disciples ascend the mountain, and there St. Peter sees with his own eyes the vindication of his faith. Perhaps Jesus was troubled by many things. But now, Jesus must know the divine favor that He will receive, for He shines with uncreated light.

The glory of God is poured out upon Jesus, and Moses and Elijah flank Him, as watchmen of Israel, now guarding the Christ, one on the left, and the other on the right. The whole Law and the Prophets have sallied forth, and now they pronounce themselves with granite face and the sneer of derision the ward and sentry of the Lord’s mission.

Peter cannot speak, not much. Only he can say, ‘Lord, it is good that we are here.’

It is of course good that Peter and the disciples are there. But how much better is it that Jesus and the saints are there, enshrouded in splendor unspeakable, as God Almighty, when He consecrated and blessed Israel upon the mount of Sinai. This, indeed, is the return of the true king.

No more would there be talk of lies and mockery and death. Israel had suffered enough of that at the hand of the heathen. Now would be the time for judgment, and reckoning, and might; for the very light of God has descended upon David’s heir.

Even now, a cloud descends upon them, as it fell upon the Tabernacle of the Eternal Lord. And so pours forth these words:

‘This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.’

Such is all the comfort Peter could have ever hungered for; for now the very God of the Angel Host recites the Psalm over His Anointed:

‘I will declare the decree: thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee.’

‘Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.’

‘Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, thou shalt dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’

The humiliation of Israel is finally, and forever, ended.

The pride of the idolators will be destroyed, and all the Lord had taught before would come to pass, that the meek shall inherit the earth.

For the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped. The high places of Ba’al and Asherah shall be made low. And all nations shall come, pleading for mercy, at the house of the Lord.

For the God of Israel, and His anointed shall break them.

The cloud passes, and Peter, cowed by the vision, is lifted up by the loving face of His king.

‘Rise, and have no fear.’

No longer will Peter have fear, this he knows, for now he knows that the One who called him, the One whom he chose to follow, will establish the throne of His Father, and of the increase of His government, and of peace, there shall be no end.

Jesus lifts him up, and Peter rises. With consolation upon consolation, St. Peter gazes upon the unconquerable Messiah.

Jesus tells him: ‘Tell no one the vision.’

‘Of course not, O Lord. I will tell no one what I have seen, of your glory and might, until you choose to reveal it to the great joy and liberation of your people!’

‘Tell no one the vision.’

‘I will not; not until the fullness of your signs are manifest, and the unbelievers will cast their idols into the fires of Gehennah before the feet of the righteous!’

‘Tell no one the vision.’

‘Never, Jesus: not until the nations are broken by the legions you lead, and have been made your footstool, and the oppressed children of Abraham laugh over them,  as Sarah, at the birth of their new kingdom.’

‘Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.’

‘Have no fear, dear Peter. For you, for you, and for your sins:

It is necessary that the Son of Man suffer many things.’

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Preached by Pastor Fields

Sermon Texts: Exodus 24:8-18; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9.