There is not one person in this world that can claim their life is perfect. That isn’t all that comforting because many times we feel that we are the only ones suffering. We look around us and see people smiling and laughing and their lives seem so great. We ask ourselves why they don’t seem to be facing the hardships that we are. Will I always be stuck in this dead end job or when will I find a job? How are we going to pay our bills this month? When will the doctors find a way to make me feel better? Why don’t my friends seem to care about me? Will the person I love really love me back? How come I can’t get better grades?

These questions plague the human mind because the answers at the present time are so uncertain. The outcomes are uncertain and so our minds do summersaults trying to get the answers. We read the Bible and God tells us that all things work out for the good of those love him and we wonder when that good will come. We pray and God makes us wait for the answers. Do you know these feelings? Have you ever felt like you were on that merry-go-round spinning in circles while life passed you by?

When we struggle it is important for us to hear our loving God speak to us. And in the words of our sermon text this morning, we are comforted when we are wondering what the outcome will be. The events of Jesus’ transfiguration ease our hearts, souls, and minds by letting us know that the outcome has already been determined. Jesus knew his outcome as he talked with Moses and Elijah on that mountain. We know our outcome because of the glory that was shone there.

As was his custom, Jesus had gone up the mountain for some quiet time. He needed some time to pray. As was also his custom, he took along with him Peter, James, and John – the so-called inner-circle of disciples. As Jesus did what he went up the mountain do, those disciples must have fallen asleep. And when they woke up they got quite a surprise.

There was Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah – two towering figures of the Old Testament. How they knew who those two guys were, we don’t know, but the Bible tells us that they appeared in glorious splendor. The glory of heaven had been opened up on earth. That glory showed Peter, James, and John what happens to redeemed saints.

For now though, I want to concentrate on the discussion that Jesus had with Moses and Elijah. The Bible tells us that they spoke about [Jesus] departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Moses and Elijah had spent their ministries trying to get God’s people to repent of their sins and pointing them to the only one who could save them, the Messiah.

The Messiah had come to earth and was talking to these Old Testament heroes of faith about his final outcome. Jesus knew the final outcome. He trusted the words of Scripture. He prayed that his Father’s will would be done. He went forward on his mission knowing full well that in the end he would suffer and die for the sins of the world. There was no uncertainty for him. The road was before him and he was willing to make the journey for us.

Peter, James, and John woke up and saw their Master. But Jesus was different at that moment. The Bible tells us that the appearance of his face had changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Jesus’ heavenly glory had been veiled up to this point while he was on earth. Oh sure, there were glimpses of that glory as he changed water in wine, healed the sick, calmed storms, and raised the dead. But this was different. His whole body changed like a caterpillar that goes into its cocoon and comes out a beautiful butterfly. His whole being was illumined with Godly glory. How magnificent a sight that must have been!

And Peter thought exactly that when he saw Jesus transformed. He was so shocked he didn’t know what to say, but he did know that he wanted that heavenly glory to last longer. So he asked to put up shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Peter was so excited about this heavenly glory, but the glory of heaven could not be contained in the shelter of this sinful world.

Just as Peter was speaking another magnificent event took place. A cloud covered them and the very voice of God spoke saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” Jesus was the one whom the Father had chosen. The Father had given similar testimony when Jesus’ started his ministry at his baptism. But here the Father added the words, “Listen to him.”

Peter, James, and John witnessed and heard amazing things on that mountaintop. And they were going to need it. They had been with Jesus for almost three years. They head him speak and saw him perform miracles. However they still did not quite understand what the outcome would be for Jesus. As the Lord led his disciples down that mountain he was headed for Jerusalem. He was headed for the battle to end all battles. He was going to redeem the world.

The celebration of the Jesus’ transfiguration marks the end of the season of Epiphany and puts us on the doorstep of Lent. Next week is Ash Wednesday and we will begin our walk with Jesus through his passion. We will visit the upper room. We will kneel in the Garden of Gethsemane. We will watch in the courtroom of the High Priest. We will stand in shock as the whips cracks on the back of the Savior and we will cringe as the spikes are driven into his hands and feet. But let us not miss the point of all of this. The Savior’s physical suffering was great indeed, but the outcome had already been determined for Jesus.

Since the fall into sin in the Garden of Eden, mankind has turned its back on God. We are failures. Each and everyday we let the devil, this world, and our sinful flesh push God to the side so it can have its way with us. We deserve the suffering. We deserve the gruesome death. We deserve the torment of hell because of our sin. What if that was all we had? What if all mankind had was a future in the flames of hell? What if that was the outcome we were waiting for?

Again, thankfully, the outcome had already been determined for Jesus, for the promise was given to Adam and Eve, “He will crush your head and you will strike his heel.” Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise. He was headed to Jerusalem where he would defeat Satan once and for all by giving up his perfect life on the cross of Calvary. That sacrifice was made to pay for our sins. All of our guilt, all of our shame, all of our death was placed on him. He won the victory and sealed our outcome by rising from the dead. And now our risen and ascended Lord is robed in his heavenly glory once again.

So what does Jesus’ transfiguration mean for us? First of all, he completed his mission. The price was paid. The world was redeemed. The outcome was never in doubt. Your sins are forgiven. You are free.

Secondly, Peter’s excitement over seeing the glory of Jesus on that mountain is our excitement now. Let the words of Scripture fan the flame of your heavenly hope and eternal future. As we head down the mountain of transfiguration and into the season of Lent, may the life and death of Jesus spark your wonder and gratitude. And as we peer into the empty tomb of Easter, may the burdens of this life fade away. Our risen Savior won the victory.

And that brings me to the final point. At Jesus’ transfiguration, two redeemed saints stood on that mountain with Christ. They were wearing their bright and gleaming robes of righteous, not because of who they were, but because Jesus sealed the outcome for them. As we struggle through the rough days of this life and ask the hard questions to our God, let us be comforted by the fact that our heavenly glory awaits us also. Our eternal glory will not be sheltered for us here on earth, but we have seen the glory that awaits us in heaven. The sufferings that we go through now are nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed in us on the last day when we stand with all the saints, including Moses and Elijah, and sing our eternal praises to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Believe in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. His outcome was never in doubt and now neither is ours. Amen.