Read Matthew 17:1-9
All 4 gospels tell the mysterious, wonderful, challenging story of Jesus’ Transfiguration on the mountain. It is a scene that is filled with awe, wonder, and fear for the disciples who witnessed this event. Matthew likes to cast Jesus as a “second Moses.” Compare this lesson with Ex. 24:12-18. What parallels do you find? What do you think is the significance of Moses and Elijah being present with Jesus on the mountain? The 3 disciples with Jesus on the mountain seem pretty clueless. Wouldn’t you think an experience like the Transfiguration would make it clear to the inner circle at least who Jesus was? Many Christians have “mountain-top” experiences in worship, on retreats, or in other settings. What is the basic value of these experiences? To deepen faith, inspire us for more commitment to Christ’s mission in the world, or a combination of both?


Prayer for the Week
Lord, we’re following you—climbing up the high mountains with you, descending to the deep valleys with you.  Lord, sometimes you expect too much of us, demand too much from us, and want us to be more than we think we can be.
That’s why sometimes we are afraid of you.  We are afraid that we will disappoint you, fearful that you don’t know us as well as we know ourselves and our limitations, fearful that the cost of following you will be too high.
Lord, help us in our fear.  Heal us of our consternation. Give us that which we do not have on our own—bold, courageous determination to follow you no matter where you take us.  Amen.