15 February – The Sunday next before Lent, 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. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then 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.’ 5While 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!’ 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ 8And 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.’
Things to think about with the child at the centre:
Activities
Blankets and things to construct make-shift dens and tents from.
Encourage family groups to explore their family tree – thinking about those significant people from the past. This can be done as a community thinking about non-relations who have had significant influence on us. Older members of the congregation can share stories of the people who were important to them when they were children, and why.
Response
The story we are looking at today has to do with Jesus taking some of His friends on a sort of “camping” trip. They went up on a mountain, and something remarkable happened!
Jesus appeared white here, only it wasn’t from chemical bleach. It was God. Jesus was revealing a little bit of God’s glory here. Usually, if someone saw God, they would die from His glory! But not only was Jesus there… some historical figures appeared, as well.
Peter was a little confused and a lot scared! He didn’t even now what to say, so he thought maybe these Old Testament greats needed a tent to hang out in. Maybe he didn’t fully understand what was happening. But then they heard a voice that cleared all of their confusion!
Who was speaking out of the cloud? GOD! God was affirming who Jesus was. Up to that point the disciples may have not been a hundred percent certain, but this made it quite clear.
Jesus affirmed that He was fulfilling those old prophets. But He also knew people might have a hard time understanding or accepting who He was. So the disciples weren’t to spread it around just yet.
Peter was later able to share more about the experience they had on that mountain. His testimony reminds us that we are called to know God, and to share His love with one another!
Prayer
Spend some time praying thanks for those people who have come before us and influenced our faith and understanding of God. If you’ve made tents, you could write their names down and place them in a tent as an offering of thanks to God.
For the older members of the congregation, ask God to show you who you could be a positive influence on, helping them grow in their faith and understanding. Place their name into a tent too.
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