MIDWEEK LENT 2                February 24, 2026          Pastor Timothy J. Spaude

 

Zechariah 11:7-13 (EHV)

“WHAT IS HE WORTH TO YOU?”

 

Brothers and sisters, we are making value judgments all the time. For some a prime cut of steak perfectly prepared is worth it so they will gladly drop a hundred dollars at a fine restaurant to enjoy the experience while others will say food is food. I know what my body does with it. Chews it up and exits it. McDonalds is good enough for me. For some the experience of a concert or performance or an NBA basketball game is so worth it they will pay extra money and gladly give the extra time to travel, find parking and get as close to front row as possible to see their desired event while some will say, “That’s not worth it. I prefer the comfort of my own home and easy access to food and bathrooms for my entertainment.” It’s just a matter what it’s worth to you.

          As we continue our Lenten worship we look at another prophecy from the Old Testament prophet Zechariah. As we heard last Wednesday Zechariah is known as the Holy Week prophet. God used Zechariah’s ministry to give the signs and markers people would need to identify the true Messiah, especially the signs that happened during Holy Week. I think you’ll be able to figure out how this prophecy points to Jesus!

 

Zechariah 11:7-13 (EHV) “So I shepherded the flock which is to be slaughtered, especially the most afflicted of the flock. I took two staffs for myself. One I called Favor and the other Union. Then I shepherded the flock. ⁸ I removed three shepherds in one month. I grew very impatient with the flock, and they really detested me. ⁹ So I said, “I will not shepherd you. Whatever is dying, let it die. Whatever is being destroyed, let it be destroyed. And let those who remain devour one another’s flesh.” ¹⁰ I took my staff, Favor, and I broke it in two, to cancel my covenant that I had made with all the peoples. ¹¹ So it was cancelled on that day, and the most miserable of the flock, who were watching me, knew that this was the word of the Lord. ¹² Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, pay me my wages. But if it does not, withhold them.” So they weighed out thirty pieces of silver as my wages. ¹³ Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter, this magnificent price at which they valued me.” So I took the thirty pieces of silver, and I threw them into the House of the Lord, to the potter.”

 

          Old Testament Messianic prophecy often had a close up or immediate fulfillment and a faraway, about Jesus fulfillment. This is true for Zechariah 11. The prophet Zechariah served as a shepherd or pastor to the people. The two staffs he took symbolized the covenant God had made with them. Favor. God loved them. He was a friend to them. Union. God desired to be in unity with his people. As Zechariah did his shepherding and pastoring he had to fire 3 bad shepherds, bad pastors. A good reminder for all pastors. If you are unfaithful your congregation may not fire you, but God will! But it wasn’t just some of the pastors who were bad, the people were too. They did not value the Lord and His word so they were spiritually sick and dying. Zechariah grew impatient with the people and the people detested him as their pastor. So he quit. He broke the shepherd’s staffs that symbolized their oneness. He asked for his pay. They gave him 30 pieces of silver. When Naaman the leper came to the Lord for physical healing he brought 750 pounds of silver and 150 pounds of gold. When the people of Zechariah’s time thought about the eternal salvation giving Lord and His word they offered 30 pieces of silver. That’s what the Lord was worth to them. And just in case you think God does not understand speech and the sardonic nature of sarcasm, listen again to His response, “Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter, this magnificent price at which they valued me.” So I took the thirty pieces of silver, and I threw them into the House of the Lord, to the potter.”

          And that takes us to the faraway fulfillment that happened with our Lord Jesus. 30 pieces of silver. Do you remember where that showed up in Holy Week? 30 pieces of silver was what the chief priests offered to Judas to betray Jesus. That is how much their Messiah was worth to them. 30 pieces of silver. 30 pieces of silver that’s how much Judas accepted to betray his friend and His Messiah. 30 pieces of silver. That’s all Jesus was worth to them. But remember the purpose of prophecy. It is there to help all believers in the true God know that Jesus really is the Savior. What happened to that 30 pieces of sliver so valuable to Judas and the chief priests? Judas tried to return it and threw it in the house of the Lord. The chief priests used it to but the Potters field! God’s awfully good and controlling things, isn’t He?

 

“WHAT IS HE WORTH TO YOU?”

 

          But let’s return to the main point. What is He worth to you? Jesus that is. We make value judgments all the time. Would you betray him for 30 pieces of silver? How about for a million dollars? I know your answer: “I would never sell out or give up my Savior for any amount of money!” But is it possible that we have already valued Him at far less? Sadly, the history of the people who have identified themselves as the people of God has often showed that Jesus and His saving word and work are not worth that much. Have you ever traded Jesus for the acceptance of your peers? Have you swapped time with the Teacher for extra hours of entertainment or sleep? What’s he worth to you if you can always find time for play but rarely find time for prayer? Or when “me time” takes priority over “he time”? What do our bank statements and appointment calendars reveal about Jesus’ value to us?

          When Pastor Zechariah felt undervalued, he quit. It reminds me of what the Lord told us in Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as men who will give an account. Obey them, so that they may do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no benefit to you.” If you make the lives of your pastors, principal and teachers miserable with endless nitpicking and constant complaining so their joy in serving is sucked away and serving becomes a groan, it will not benefit you. They may just quit, like Zechariah. But now look at Jesus. What is His response to people who value video games, sports and entertainment over Him? Who can’t wait to binge the next season of some poorly written tv show but would not even consider binging Bible? Who complain and moan and nitpick about His plans and treatment of us as though we 1^st world Americans actually have it rough? Does He quit? No, Jesus didn’t and won’t! He looked at you and me in our weakness and smiled. His response to our misplaced values was to value us more. “Christian, I will go to that cross and I will stay there until I have paid your debt in full. I will do this because the thought of having you with me in heaven fills my heart with joy!” That is your Jesus. So, what is He worth to you? Amen.

 

February 14-16, 2026 Pastor Timothy J. Spaude Text: Matthew 17:1-9 TRANSFIGURATION’S TIMELY TRUTH: “DO NOT BE AFRAID!”

 

TRANSFIGURATION

February 14-16, 2026

Pastor Timothy J. Spaude

Text: Matthew 17:1-9

 

TRANSFIGURATION’S TIMELY TRUTH:

“DO NOT BE AFRAID!”

1.     If following Christ hasn’t seemed so glorious.

2.     If following Christ doesn’t seem so glorious.

 

The events described in our Gospel lesson are straightforward. Words cannot do them justice. Nor can pictures. Jesus was transfigured before Peter James and John. You are Lutherans. You are used to asking the good question, “What does this mean?” Matthew described it as best as he could. Jesus’ face shining like the sun. His clothing bright white. How many lumens is that? Moses and Elijah, great Old Testament prophets and leaders for God’s people. What did they look like? How did the disciples know it was Moses and Elijah? A bright cloud. What does that look like? God the Father’s voice from heaven. What does that sound like? Jesus’ Transfiguration has been described as a taste of heaven for Peter, James and John. If that is accurate it would certainly explain why they wanted to stay. “It is good for us to be here. Let’s make some shelters, some dwellings for us to live in.” Matthew describes the event as best he can. I guarantee you that whatever picture you conjured up in your mind if you are a creative person falls way short of how glorious it really was. I guarantee you that this artist’s rendering, as much as it tries to show the glory, falls far short of how awesome it was.

The events of Jesus’ Transfiguration are straightforward. He let his disciples see a glimpse of His true glory. The question we need to be asking is “Why?” Why did this happen when it happened? Why did the Holy Spirit make sure Matthew wrote it down, Mark and Luke too? The Transfiguration of Jesus did not happen in a vacuum. It was done on purpose by Jesus at a time His disciples needed it. Its message is just as timely for disciples of Jesus today. “Jesus approached and as he touched them, he said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” That is the truth, the lesson, that all believers get from Jesus’ Transfiguration. Do not be afraid.

Do not be afraid when you look back at your life and realize that following Christ has not been all that glorious. Matthew tells us that the Transfiguration took place “six days later.” If you let your fingers do the walking through the white pages of your Bibles, you will find that six days before Jesus’ Transfiguration the disciples had to deal with some tough truths. At first when Jesus called them to be His disciples it was, well, glorious. Jesus started doing miracles. People were amazed. Jesus taught Scripture with authority, not like the weaselly Pharisees and teachers of the law. People were amazed. Like the entourages of the famous folk today they got to bask in the glory and attention paid to Jesus. People came up to them to gain access to Jesus. Then things changed. Jesus’ message got more pointed. “Repent, all of you, or you will perish.” He started to refuse to do miracles because people wanted a show, not a Savior. He spoke in parables, only meaningful for the family of faith. Finally, Jesus helped them to come to grips with His real mission. “Who do people say that I am?” What is the word on the street? A great prophet. Nothing more. Nothing less. Not so glorious anymore. We are not told but we can certainly understand if doubts filled the disciples’ minds. Is Jesus really the Christ? If He is, why doesn’t everybody who’s been waiting for Him for forever love Him like we do? Where is the glory? So Jesus showed them. He gave them just a glimpse to help them wipe away their doubts and wipe away their fears. Do not be afraid if following me hasn’t always seemed so glorious, because glory beyond your comprehension is coming.

Good news for you and me too. Whether you have had the privilege of knowing Jesus as your Savior ever since you can remember or it’s relatively new for you, disappointment that comes from lack of understanding God’s wise ways is a part of life. You look back at the times you prayed for someone’s healing and God’s answer is not the one you wanted. You strive to live life God’s ways and friends and family can mock you instead of praising you. I know one sister in Christ whose nickname at work was June Cleaver. Those of you who don’t get the reference can use your google machine on your own to find out who she was Now, was that a compliment or an insult hidden behind a smile? Then there is the burden and hurt and disappointment borne by too many Christian parents. They raise their children in the training and instruction of the Lord. You did your sinful best but they have left the Lord behind. Lord, where are you? What about your promises? You apply yourself to the word. You feed your faith. Still that pet sin plagues you. Consequences of past sins don’t magically disappear. Where is the glory? Doubts and fears can fill our minds too. Sh!! Says Jesus. Do not be afraid. You think too little and too small. The Father’s plan is for glory beyond your imagination. Wait and you will see. Do not be afraid if you look back on your life and following Christ hasn’t seemed so glorious.

Do the same with whatever comes next! Right before the Transfiguration, after Jesus asked his disciples what other people thought about Him, he turned to them. “Who do you say I am?” “The Christ, the Son of God!” Good answer. The truth! Then Jesus told them what the Christ would do. He will go to Jerusalem, (Ooh, we like that! Probably getting ready to set up His royal palace. I wonder what my room will be like?) But Jesus went on. He would not set up an earthly kingdom, instead he would be betrayed to the chief priests. He would suffer many things and be put to death. Wait, what? Where is the glory in that?

And then everything happened just as Jesus said it would. The arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, the suffering of many things at the hands of the chief priests. His death on Calvary. The Gospel writers do not tell us all of the thoughts of the disciples. Just what they did. The fled in the Garden, but John followed. Peter denied but wept bitterly after seeing Jesus. The disciples ran, but they did gather together on Easter Sunday. Do you think at any time they remembered the Transfiguration? Did it give them comfort in their time of trauma? I think so. Jesus Transfiguration had a purpose. Do not be afraid. When things look the worst, when following me does not seem so glorious just wait, great glory is coming. That happened for the disciples too, just as Jesus said. He rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven. The disciples became bold witnesses for Jesus as you heard Peter proclaim in the second reading. The Transfiguration of Jesus enabled them to live without fear when following Christ would not seem so glorious.

Same thing for you and me. There is not a lot about our earthly lives following Jesus that we know for certain.  Will we live in a country that will become more Chirstian or keep becoming less? Will our family hold together or fall apart? Will I have easy financial times or are hard times coming? Will my health hold or is a physical or mental landmine about to explode? We don’t know. Jesus has told us to expect times when following Him will not seem so glorious. Think of the Beatitudes we heard a couple of weeks ago. “Blessed are you when people persecute you, mock you, insult you because of me,” said Jesus. Think of the testimony of the Apostles. “We must go through many tribulations to enter the kingdom of God.” Well, that won’t seem so glorious! “Do not be afraid,” says your Lord Jesus. Don’t be afraid when following Christ doesn’t seem so glorious in the future.

Why not? Real glory, eternal glory is coming. Glory so awesome words cannot not do it justice. Glory so awesome pictures cannot do it justice. Glory so awesome that when you get it, like Peter James and John, you will not want to let it go. Because of what Jesus has done for you, you won’t have to. Your sins are forgiven so the glory of heaven is coming. And it won’t just be Moses and Elijah that you will see with Jesus. Noah and Adam and Eve and the Apostle Paul, they will be there. Everyone of your loved ones who has entered heaven through Jesus will be there too. And many of your little ones that you didn’t get to know here on earth, they are waiting too. No picture or words can describe what that will be like when Jesus says, “Come you who are blessed by my Father, who sneered at earthly glory for the joy of this glory. Come and enjoy your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” But until that happens, no matter what happens, these are Jesus’ words for you, “Do not be afraid!” Amen.