Matthew 17

Book of Matthew: Chapter 17

The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9)

When Jesus takes Peter, John, and James up a mountain to pray, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white.

What is transfiguration?

The word "transfigured" is a very interesting word. The Greek word is "metamorpho" and it means to transform, literally or figuratively to metamorphose, or to change... In the case of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ it means to match the outside with the reality of the inside. To change the outward so that it matches the inward reality. Jesus' divine nature was "veiled" in human form and the transfiguration was a glimpse of that glory. Therefore, the transfiguration of Jesus Christ displayed the... glory of God incarnate in the Son.

Gospel Conversations

When Peter commented on the Transfiguration, God suggested he try listening instead. WIth that as a background, it is a daunting challenge for us to try to discuss this mystery! Chris Holmes, Esther Clarke-Prebble and Judy Ringland-Stewart are brave enough to give it a go, however, and there are the seeds for many a sermon in the resulting Gospel Conversation.

Transfiguration and Grace

Bishop Eleanor, Assistant Bishop of Wellington, shares a short talk about a painting of the transfiguration, as apart of the Wellington Lenten series for 2019

Changing Appearances

Source: This game was found on the Family Faith Ministry website
Purpose: Play this game to help students begin to think about how Jesus’ appearance changed.
Supplies: None

Can you tell when something changes? Sometimes seeing how something has changed is easy and sometimes it is hard. Today, we are going to learn how Jesus’ appearance changed on the mountain. Everyone who was with Jesus noticed the change. Before we discover what happened, let’s play a game to see how well you see changes.
Directions:

Form teams of three or four children.
Have all the teams sit on the floor facing the front of the classroom.
Have the first team stand in front of the other teams. Tell the seated teams to carefully study the appearance of the standing team. Have them pay special attention to details like clothing, hairstyle, and jewellery.
After a minute, send the first team out of the room to secretly choose one thing to change about the appearance of one player on the team. For example, they might turn a hat backwards, put their hair in ponytail, or switch jewelry with another team member.
Have the team stand in front of the other teams again.
The seated players must guess what change the team made.
Repeat steps 3-6 until all teams have had a turn.

Teacher Tip: If playing the game with younger children, either you or an assistant may help the team choose and make a change.

Worship Resources

The Church of Scotland has some worship resources and ideas for today, found here

Visio Lectio

A great illustration from Visio Lectio for this Matthew 17:1-9 passage, from Rev. Sarah West.
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Discussion Questions

"Moses and Elijah were about to leave, when Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here! Let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But Peter did not know what he was talking about."

Have you ever felt a bit like Peter? Wanting to keep something for ever, that was only meant to last a short time? Perhaps you found a butterfly and wanted to keep it in a jar for ever, or looked after a bird in a box, but didn't want to say goodbye to it?
Have you ever said something that you later regretted?
If you could have lunch with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?

I wonder

I wonder how Peter, John and James felt when they woke up and saw that Jesus looked different?
I wonder why Peter wanted to build a shelter for Jesus, Moses and Elijah?
I wonder why Peter, John and James were quiet after the loud voice said: "This is my chosen Son. Listen to what he says!”
I wonder what happened next?
I wonder what they spoke about between that event, and coming down the mountain the next day?

Tent building

Tent building is a lot of fun, and can happen outside in the garden or indoors. Here’s how to make a simple tent with blankets or sheets:
What you need:The best thing about building your own tent is that you only need objects you’re likely to have lying around the house already. You may need to pay a quick visit to the garden centre for the bamboo canes!

A roll of rough string
Scissors
3 x 8ft (2.4m) and 6 x 3ft (90cm) bamboo canes from a garden centre
Old sheets and blankets
Pens and card to make a sign for the entrance

What to do:

The easiest tent to construct is a simple two-sided prism shape like a triangular Toblerone box!
Make a sturdy frame using your canes - lay the 3 longest canes 3 ft (90cm) apart, and attach using the shorter canes and string, until your tent takes shape.
Then drape with sheets or blankets, and decorate inside and out with pillows, rugs and pictures, before moving in

Source: Persil

Prayers

Source: Church of Scotland's worship resources, found here

Dazzling God of the heights and the depths
all Creation is full of Your glory
all the signs are there to read
all the warnings made in love
all the encouragement, all the guidance.

Though the path be steep,
and new ways needed to get there
and things look different;
still, with Christ, we do not face them alone.

Called together, we can listen
sharing, we can grow
ourselves – but from a new perspective
our world – beloved through the Chosen Son.