Transfiguration Sunday and Communion.  All are welcome to join us on Sunday, March 2, at 10 am.  Sunday school runs during the service and coffee is served afterwards.

Here are Rev. Marlene’s thoughts on the upcoming service.

“A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” Luke 9:35

Jesus had Peter, John, and James come up the mountain to pray.  These three are Jesus’ closest disciples, as they have witnessed both the healing of Jairus’ daughter and accompanied Him in Gethsemane. Going up the mountain typically symbolizes going to a place of divine encounter. While praying, the transformation occurs and visually reveals Jesus’ divine glory as His face changes and His clothes become dazzling white, suggesting purity, holiness, and divine radiance.

As an aside note, Jesus predicted that some of the disciples would “see the kingdom of God” (verse 27) before tasting death. Many scholars think that the transfiguration fulfilled Jesus’ “seeing the kingdom” prediction. Until this moment, Jesus looked like any other man during his years on earth; formerly he had none of the brilliant glory associated with the God of the Old Testament.

When we return to the action both Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the Prophets) appear, speaking of Christ’s departure and fulfilling the prediction of Scripture. As this meeting unfolded, a cloud appeared and overshadowed them, terrifying the three disciples, and from the cloud came a divine voice saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to Him!”  Here we experience God’s presence, proclaiming Jesus’ identity and emphasizing Jesus’ authority, which surpasses even Moses and Elijah.

After the cloud receded, Jesus stood alone, signalling that He, not Moses or Elijah, is the ultimate revelation of God.  The disciples stood silent, struggling to comprehend what they had witnessed; and only long after Jesus’ resurrection did they grasp the full meaning of what they had seen.