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Introduction to Worship for 2/26/2017

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Matthew 17:1-9

And so the Season after the Epiphany closes: on a holy mountain where God may be found. It is a place of sacred mystery, where shining and shadow convey a holy presence. It is a place of community across time, where God’s people of past and present meet. It is a place of silence and witness, where visions are kept quiet and God says of Jesus, “Listen to him.”

From here, we go forward into Lent: the 40 days and 6 Sundays that take us through Jesus’ progress toward Jerusalem and the conflict with the government of Palestine that would lead to his crucifixion. We will have special worship stations in the sanctuary, for reflection and prayer; a Tuesday morning prayer group; a book study on “Gifts of the Dark Wood,” a book that reflects on the hard places and what we find there; and in worship, we will tell the stories of Jesus and his encounters with people who were on the margins, that he brought into the center.  So this week, we pause to reflect on the insight that comes when we see our world, our lives, and our Lord as they really are, “changed from glory into glory,” and open our lives to the knowledge that Jesus’ lordship takes us into unexpected places.

The story of the transfiguration of Jesus echoes the story of Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:29–35). Both are encounters with God on a mountain, considered to be a place of holy presence by ancient peoples. In both situations God’s voice is heard from within a covering cloud. Also, Jesus’ face shines as Moses’ did on his descent from Mount Sinai. The presence of Moses and Elijah on the mountain with Jesus is a strong symbol. Both Moses and Elijah endured rejection by the people, but had support from God. Both were supporters of the Torah (law) and performed miracles. Elijah was taken up into heaven without having died (2 Kings 2:11). Legends in first-century Judaism suggest Moses also was taken up into heaven before death.

“This is my Son, the Beloved” (verse 5) declares the voice from the cloud. This is the same affirmation that Jesus heard at his baptism (Matthew 3:17). This time, the voice from the cloud adds a command: “listen to him.” These words assert that this holy encounter is meant to lead to obedience and following Jesus into Jerusalem.

Transfiguration reveals Jesus, not merely in the details of “shining” but in the words of God’s favor and the summons to disciples to listen to Jesus as they live into God’s realm.

Connecting Faith and Life

  • In what ways do you and your church listen to Jesus?
  • How has such listening changed you?
  • What does it mean for you and your church to live into the mystery of God’s dazzling reign?


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