Study Suggestion: Why not consider asking a few people to join you in a "communal"
reading using this See-Judge-Act method!
Matthew 17:1-9 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."
Movement 1/See (Read the Text closely/Examination:) We pay attention to the story, the characters, and their original context. Re-create the scene in your mind’s eye. Consider time, place, and people. Consider what you learn from your five senses. What do you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch? Visualize what Jesus was doing as he engaged other people … family, friends, strangers and enemies.
Remember the first Sunday of Epiphany? We saw Jesus baptized by Cousin John in the waters of the River Jordan, and as the heavens opened, we heard the voice of God say, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." And … suddenly we see the Spirit of God descending upon Jesus like a dove. The scene is amazing … and shockingly unbelievable as well! Since that first Sunday we have come to know Jesus the Beloved, as Lamb of God and Light of the World, as One who Blesses, as a Teacher, Preacher, and Healer. We were also challenged as Jesus invited us deeper into discipleship through the Sermon on the Mount.
This week we do a bit of biblical time-travel (skipping chapters 7-16, time, and a lot of ministry) to another Mountain so we can experience the mysterious account of the Transfiguration 1) leading up to the last Sunday of Epiphany, the season of revelation and light, the season as asking “Who is Jesus?” and 2) leading into Lent, the season of . Transfiguration comes from the Greek word metamorphoo {met-am-or-fo'-o} which means literally to change into another form. It sounds much like the word, metamorphosis. Jesus, Light of the World, is transformed into Light right there on the mountaintop with his closest friends looking in frightened disbelief. We hear the voice of God once again, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased …” The scene is amazing … unbelievable as well! We don’t know what to do with this image any better than Peter did, do we?
Read the passage and walk in the sandals of Peter as he follows Jesus along with his friends, the brothers James and John. What emotions are you feeling as you take this journey? Jesus often invites you to solitary places for prayer. Perhaps you are looking for a little rest and renewal … or perhaps you are itching to get back to the real stuff … the “doing” of ministry. Is there any indication that this encounter with Jesus will be different than it has been before?
What do you think … How do you feel when Jesus begins to change, right before your eyes?
Suddenly you are joined by two pillars of the past, Moses and Elijah. How do you recognize them? Why do you think God chose Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the prophets) to appear with Jesus? What are you feeling when you respond with the offer to make dwellings … an altar to God in three parts? You fall to the ground in fear when you hear God’s voice. Why? What happens when you hear the Voice? Do you remember hearing God’s voice at the baptism? How is it different? How is it the same? What are you thinking? How are you feeling? Would you even want to share this story if Jesus hadn’t asked you not to? And yet … how do you come away from this experience? How have you been changed?
Movement 2/Judge (Look at your Life/Spiritual Discernment:) We seek to examine our own lives as we live in community ... search the text as you keep it in its original context and bring it into the "now" through the act of cross-cultural reading. Consider why Jesus acted as he did and said the things that needed to be said. Concentrate your attention on Jesus as you seek to be formed in his image and live as he lived.
What is the Good News you have to share with others from your reading of this passage? Have you ever had an experience such as this one? Have you ever had an experience that you don’t talk about because it is too “crazy?” Would you share your experience with others? Why or Why not? How are you challenged to change from your reading of this passage?
Movement 3/Act (Take action in Light of your Faith/Transformation:) We are called to work so that the reign of God can be realized in the world today. Work with creativity and compassion, follow the Spirit, meditate on the Word and expect that God will show you how to take action as you apply what you have learned.
What action do I need to take in order to be responsive to the challenge I hear in the biblical text? How will I experience the reign of God in my life from my action?
Prayer: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required.” (Luke 12:48b NRSV) As we are called to act, we sincerely seek the empowerment of Spirit and we are changed. We become more like Christ. I invite you to discover your breath prayer
· Take time to quiet yourself within. Acknowledge and then let go of all your busy thoughts.
· Allow a “new” name for God to emerge or simply use the name you usually use when you pray to God
· Consider the invitation to follow Jesus that emerged during your time of study
· Work with your words until you have about 6-8 syllables which is the most comfortable to breathe … or pray this one:
(breath in) Beloved Christ … (breath out) be my light …
If music is a pathway to God for you, view this video of Christ Be Our Light.
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