Leawood, Kansas, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Daily Guide grow. pray. study. for Monday, 26 May 2014 "This is my Son whom I dearly love"

Leawood, Kansas, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Daily Guide grow. pray. study. for Monday, 26 May 2014 "This is my Son whom I dearly love"
Daily Scripture: Matthew 17:1 After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. 2 He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. 3 Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him.
4 Peter answered, and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
6 When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.
Reflection Questions:
In this story, it's as though God gave the three disciples to whom Jesus was closest a "peek behind the curtain." Usually, Jesus looked like just another person—but on this occasion, "his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light." Luke 9:31 added that Moses and Elijah talked with Jesus "about Jesus' departure, which he would achieve in Jerusalem." God meant this dramatic meeting, not as a random light show, but to prepare Jesus and the disciples for the cross that lay just ahead.
The transformation the disciples saw in Jesus' physical appearance pointed strongly to him being more than just one more teacher. But, as though to leave no doubt, God's voice said of Jesus, "This is my Son whom I dearly love. I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!" What does it mean for you to listen to Jesus today? How willing are you to actually do it?
Peter expressed a desire to stay on the mountain by putting up three shrines. Mark 9:6 reported that Peter "said this because he didn't know how to respond." Jesus knew it wasn't possible to make that high moment permanent. Are there times, in worship or perhaps on a visit to a beautiful site, when you wish you could just stay there? What are the forces that lead you back into the "real world"? How can you be grateful for that, rather than resenting it
Today's Prayer:
O God, as Jesus faced the cross, you reinforced his self-understanding and gave him divine companionship. In perhaps a less visible way, you offer to do that for me, too, and I ask for your strength as I face life's challenges. Amen.
Insight from Jeanna Repass
Jeanna Repass serves as the Kansas City Missions Program Director at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.
My daughter Ariel graduated from high school last weekend. One of the traditions my family celebrates when one of our children passes through this special moment is a “blanketing ceremony”. A blanketing ceremony is one where the parents and their graduating child go to the altar at church and wrap their child in a blanket that is embroidered with the child’s name, their baptismal date and a cross on it.
The Pastor blesses the child and reminds them of their baptism. The parents tell the child publicly that the child belongs to them even as they are preparing to leave home for the next stage of their journey. All of this happens as the parents are holding their graduate in their embrace and the blanket. For Ariel, she had the privilege of having her blanketing ceremony at the church where my Mother Johnice is the Pastor so it was particularly special and emotional.
One of the reasons I love today’s scripture is that the Transfiguration is a blanketing ceremony of Jesus. Jesus was preparing to leave the current phase of his ministry on earth in the presence of the disciples and go to a place where they would not be able to see him every day. His Father blanketed Him with new coverings/clothes and blessed him publicly. Matthew verse 2 “… and His clothes became dazzling white…” and verse 5 “This is my Son, the Beloved;with him I am well pleased; listen to him.”
I’m not comparing my daughter to Jesus and I don’t expect her to be perfect as she leaves our home and begins the next phase of her life. But I do love the connection we have in sending her out to the world that God modeled to us in blessing Jesus. I am well pleased with all of my children especially Ariel. I pray that she will be a light into the world that reflects Jesus to others at college, in her career and in the starting of her new family (eventually…not too soon!). It’s also important to remember that like Jesus others have gone on before us and today is a day for remembering the Transfiguration and memorializing our veterans and loved ones. God has blanketed all of us as His children and reminds us in Jesus that loving Him and loving one another pleases God well. Blessed Memorial Day to all. Amen.
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