Jesus gave a glimpse of His glory to Peter, James and John (Matthew 17:1-9).  On the mountain of transfiguration, Jesus shone like the sun.  Jesus displayed the glory of the new covenant (the Gospel—justification by faith in Jesus Christ) in the presence of Moses (the Law) and Elijah (the Prophets).

Peter remarked, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here…”  That is human nature.  We see something glorious and we want to enshrine it: ‘Let’s camp here and bask in the glory.’

It was not to be.  Jesus took His disciples down from the mountain.

You see, Jesus had another mountain to climb -- Calvary.  There would be more glory, but shone through the cross that won our salvation -- the forgiveness of our sins by faith in Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life in heaven.

Many people still want to bask in glory on earth.  They sit in comfortable pews, look at beautiful stained glass windows and do nothing.  Others crave ecstatic experiences and entertainment – church services where people are ‘slain in the Spirit’, an Emmy winner sings the offertory, or the pastor rides in on a Harley and breaks a brick on his head. And, they like to hear that becoming a Christian will make you rich and famous and heal your bad back (if you just pray hard enough and tithe).

Jesus didn’t come to hand out keys to convertibles and retirement cottages.  Jesus hands His disciples crosses.  Luke 9:23-24 (ESV):

[Jesus said:] "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

The Father said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."  The primary work of the church is to use the means of grace and to equip the saints to spread the good news of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4).  Thereby, many people may hear His words and by hearing be saved unto eternal life.  Therefore, Christians are to be growing daily in their knowledge of Christ and service to Him.

Our crosses are our vocations of service to others in Jesus’ name.

You may be a father, mother, sister, brother, worker, student, and/or volunteer.  Glorify Christ in all of your vocations by spreading the Gospel.  Daily we are being conformed to the likeness of Christ.  One day, we will shine like the Son.  There will be plenty of time to bask in glory in heaven and say, “Lord, it is good that we are here.”

Amen

Pastor Raymond Van Buskirk, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Baytown, TX www.rlcbaytown.org