March 1, 2025

Today's Reading: Introit for Transfiguration of our Lord - Psalm 84:1-2, 9, 11; antiphon: Psalm 84:4

Daily Lectionary: Job 33:1-18; John 10:22-42

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts!” (Psalm 84:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Tomorrow, the Church celebrates the Transfiguration of Jesus. On that mountaintop, Peter will say, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” The people weren’t the only ones with tents. The Lord had a tent. We call it by its Latin name: tabernacle. It was a very nice tent, but it was still a tent. And it’s where the Lord resided when the people made camp in the wilderness. The Lord resided in the midst of His people.

Sometimes, we want to blame Peter for wanting to either demote Jesus to a tent with Moses and Elijah or raise Moses and Elijah to the place of God. And there are ways that idea can point us to Jesus. But perhaps the problem with Peter's suggestion, and the reason we're told that he didn’t know what he said, isn’t that he wants to make tents, but where he wants to make tents.

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts!” “Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!” (Psalm 84:1, 4 ESV) The Lord doesn’t dwell on a mountain apart from His people, or only with a select few of the greatest prophets. The tent of the Lord is pitched in the center of the camp, in the midst of the people. The Lord makes His house right where you're at. The Lord is not far off. He's right here.

That’s why we find Jesus in the midst of our sorrow: because He was betrayed for our sake. That's why we find Jesus in the midst of our loss: because He lost everything for our sake. That’s why we find Jesus in the midst of our shame: because He was stripped bare for our sake. That’s why we find Jesus in the midst of our sin; because He who knew no sin became sin for our sake so that we might have forgiveness. That’s why we find Jesus in the midst of our suffering: because He went to His cross for our sake, died for our sake, and entered the grave for our sake. All to save us.

What makes the house of the Lord so lovely and splendid is not the decorations or the holiness. What makes it lovely and splendid is that it is near. Jesus is here. In the very places the devil wants us to think He’s not, Jesus is present for you, sets up His house for you, and invites you in. And He remains with you through all you endure in this world. His dwelling place is in His Church, which you are a part of. And He will be by your side through everything the world throws at you.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Why should cross and trial grieve me? Christ is near, With His cheer; Never will He leave me. Who can rob me of the heaven That God’s Son For me won When His life was given? (LSB 756:1)

-Rev. Eli Davis, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, OR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.