It is Good to be Here

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.
Mark 9:2–8
+
It is Good to be Here
They didn’t expect to see Moses and Elijah. They didn’t know that heaven would break into their day. But at the top of the mountain, Jesus is transfigured. They were given a glipse of what he his skin will look like in heaven. Jesus is the God of the living. The living, from long ago, speak to him about his cross and the salvation of the world. The Father speaks, too. The central characteristic of the Christian faith is reinforced by his speaking: listen to the Word. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of Christ. Listen to Jesus. He is the beloved Son of God. There is no other way. He is what all the Bible points to. He is our salvation. Faith is gifted us through his work on the cross. Faith clings to Jesus. So, Jesus walks back down the mountain and into the mundane life that you and I live. He dwells in the midst of us by his Word and Sacraments. Thanks be to God for his visitation and dwelling among us.