This week we conclude our series called The Body of Christ: Learning & Re-Learning How to Be a Christian. In doing so, we arrive at Transfiguration Sunday, a reminder of Jesus’ mountaintop experience where the three disciples who are along for the journey observe a notable change in Jesus.
As we have continued to Worship in various ways including online, we regularly claim that the act of Worship changes us and that we are called to respond to the change that takes place. Perhaps we might consider that this change is not only an inward spiritual change, but that this inspires an outward and visible change—perhaps even a change that shifts our perspective to see more clearly.
Luke 9:28-36 (CEB)
28 About eight days after Jesus said these things, he took Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes flashed white like lightning.30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with him. 31 They were clothed with heavenly splendor and spoke about Jesus’ departure, which he would achieve in Jerusalem. 32 Peter and those with him were almost overcome by sleep, but they managed to stay awake and saw his glory as well as the two men with him.
33 As the two men were about to leave Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it’s good that we’re here. We should construct three shrines: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—but he didn’t know what he was saying. 34 Peter was still speaking when a cloud overshadowed them. As they entered the cloud, they were overcome with awe.
35 Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to him!” 36 Even as the voice spoke, Jesus was found alone. They were speechless and at the time told no one what they had seen.
Consider these questions:
- How do you think Peter, John, and James reacted to seeing Jesus’ face and clothes change?
- What do you think the Luke passage means when it says that Moses and Elijah appeared “in glory?”
- Why might it have been significant that Moses and Elijah were speaking to Jesus about “his departure?”
- Has there been at time when has God astounded you? Was it a positive experience or something else? How did you feel? How did you respond?
- Have you ever been astonished by the church? Was it a positive experience or something else? How did you feel? How did you respond?
- Why do you think Peter desired to stay on the mountain of Transfiguration?