Dear Members and Friends of our ELS:

What do you do while waiting for the doctor? The nurse takes you into the little room and asks some questions. You are told the doctor will see you soon. As the minutes tick away with no magazines in sight, you find yourself reading the credential plaques on the wall. They are impressive. Your doctor has received a higher degree from a top-notch med school. Other documents on the walls of that small cubicle inform you of some notable accomplishments recognized by your doctor’s colleagues.

The Lord Jesus, our Great Physician of body and soul, left all of us with a glimpse of his insuperable credentials as he went about his mission of saving sin-sick patients like you and me. He did this on the Mount of Transfiguration. The Heavenly Father put on display for all to see the supreme credentials of his Son when Jesus’ glory shined forth and he appeared with Moses and Elijah in the presence of Peter, James and John. Jesus talked with Moses and Elijah about his upcoming death. The Father’s voice sounded, “This is my Son whom I love, with him I am well pleased. Listen to him” (Matthew 17:5).

We Lutherans have the custom of closing out the Epiphany season with the Transfiguration of our Lord. From Epiphany we enter into the season of Lent where our attention is directed to the suffering and death of our Savior. What a transition! From glory to shame!

Nevertheless, that stark transition serves this purpose: Don’t forget the credentials of the One who goes to the cross for you and is the Doctor of your soul! As Jesus goes forward from one mount of glory to His death on another mount, He goes with the highest set of qualifications to heal our spiritual disease.

We were not just sitting miserably in a doctor’s office waiting for relief from a common cold. We were more like the murderer on death row with no possible chance for a pardon—only something worse: we sinners by nature would be facing death for eternity!

Now look up at the Mount of Transfiguration. Think of the glory and almighty power our Savior has. Admire and trust in the credentials displayed by our Lord. His divine majesty and glory means that when He died His blood was truly holy enough to make satisfaction for all of our sins. His rising also proved the authenticity of His credentials. Confidently we say in awe and wonder: “The blood of Jesus Christ, GOD’S SON, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

What a Doctor we have! Has there ever been a greater cure? Why should we expect anything less from a Man with His credentials?