This is the audio (32:43, 22.4 MB) of a sermon I preached at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Erie, PA, on February 11, 2024. The Scripture text is Mark 9:1–13.

Here is an excerpt:

Have you ever seen a video of an expert musician (or athlete or whatever) doing the thing they’re extraordinary at, “in disguise”? Like, a musician dressed as a homeless guy in the subway; or a professional athlete showing up at a pickup game (or lifting weights in the gym or whatever). Then they reveal themselves—first, by showing off their amazing talent (what they do), people are shocked that there’s this hobo who can play amazing guitar…and then, the disguise comes off and people are shocked that this hobo is actually Eric Clapton or whatever!

This works dramatically because we have a sense that certain people are “glorious” or elevated because of their identity (celebrity) or ability (talent). We don’t expect someone who has a “glory” to be disguised or in the gutter. And you might expect a celebrity to flaunt or show off their talent (and many do!), not disguise it. If you have something, you want to show it.

In our passage today, we see a reversal of this kind of dynamic. Jesus shows us who he is, based on this revelation of who he truly is (2^nd person of the trinity!), and also his condescension/accommodation to hold back this glory so that we could experience him. We know him by his glory, and by his hiding-his-glory. (Someday, we will see his glory in its fullness!)

Audio and text: ©2024 by Benjamin D. Giffone. Reproduction and distribution are permitted, providing that the author is properly credited and that no fee is charged.