The Transfiguration: Misplaced Trust, Fear, and the Love of Jesus (Matthew 17)

The speaker reflects on human self-obsession using a line from the movie "Beaches," connecting everyday narcissistic tendencies and social media to the biblical concept of sinful nature. He explains that fear grows from misplaced trust—when people rely on themselves for control and security and then face threats beyond their power, including mortality. Turning to Matthew 17, he walks through Jesus’ Transfiguration on the mountain with Peter, James, and John, highlighting parallels with Moses on Sinai and the significance of Moses and Elijah appearing to affirm Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. He notes Luke’s detail that Moses and Elijah spoke with Jesus about his coming death and resurrection. The sermon focuses on Peter’s self-centered attempt to control the moment, God’s interruption from the cloud—"This is my beloved Son… listen to him"—and the disciples’ terror, which Jesus answers not with rebuke but with a loving touch and the command, "Rise, have no fear." The message applies this to modern life: people seek security in money, health, work, and relationships, but these fail and produce fear; Jesus meets people in that fear with grace, calling them to trust him alone. The episode closes by framing the start of Lent as a season to face sin and mortality and to receive anew Jesus’ love shown in the cross and his victory in the resurrection.

00:00 Beaches and Narcissism
02:35 Sinful Nature and Fear
04:32 Setting the Scene
05:17 Mountaintop Revelation
07:25 Jesus Transfigured
08:51 Moses Elijah and Mission
12:02 Peter Makes It About Him
14:03 God Speaks Listen
16:10 Jesus Calms Their Fear
18:11 Fear in Everyday Life
20:24 Lent and Final Hope