Transfiguration (Feb. 27, 2022)

READ: Jesus and his disciples had been teaching in the villages, and Jesus had been saying and doing amazing things. The people wondered who Jesus really was. One day, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They replied, “Some say you’re John the Baptist, or Elijah, or one of the prophets.”
Jesus then asked them, “But who do you say I am?” 
Peter responded, “The Messiah of God.”
Jesus said, “I must go up to Jerusalem, and I will be killed. But on the third day God will make me alive again. 
Later Jesus took his friends Peter, James, and John up to a mountain to pray. And while Jesus was talking to God, he was transfigured, his face was as bright as the sun. And Elijah and Moses appeared next to Jesus. The disciples were terrified. Suddenly a cloud covered Jesus, Elijah and Moses.
A voice said, “This is my special child, whom I love. Listen to him.” 
And then, the disciples saw only Jesus. On their way down the mountain, Peter, James, and John didn’t know what to say.
(Luke 9:28-36)

WONDER: I wonder what it was like to see Jesus transfigured?
I wonder how Peter, James, and John felt about what they saw?
I wonder how Peter could know that Jesus was the Messiah?
I wonder what part of this story you like the best? 

SAY: In this story the disciples catch a glimpse of the mystery of how God’s presence was with Jesus. They were so amazed, they didn’t know how to talk about what they had experienced.

PRAY: Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for Jesus and for the ways in which we see your love in his life and his teachings. Help us to share your love with others. Amen.

EXTEND

• Look at the painting of the Transfiguration by the artist Titian on the cover of the bulletin. How does Titian’s depiction relate to how you imagine the story? In what ways is it similar? or different? How does the image make you feel? 
• Do you know what the highest point in your county is? Research trails and viewpoints near where you live and plan a hike to take together.
• Read Miss Smith’s Incredible Storybook by Michael Garland, 2005, Puffin Books. A storybook comes alive when it’s read. Second grader Zach comes to love reading as a wonderful and strange world opens up for him.