Greetings,
I know there is much happening in our world right now and it may be that rest is hard to come by. While the invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops is once ushering in a new era of history, we are being reminded by the Ukrainian Christians what it means to follow Jesus in the midst of our darkest hours.
I personally have been so moved by the faith of these amazing Christians, many of whom are singing hymns of faith in their Lord while their country is being attacked.
In the midst of the world being transformed, we enter into Transfiguration Sunday 2022. The Greek word in the Bible for when Jesus was transfigured in Matthew 17:2 is metemorphōthē (μετεμορφώθη) which means "change after being with“.
This Sunday we might want to focus on what it means to “change after being with” Jesus. In Matthew prior to story of the transfiguration we see Jesus say the words, “some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” The other Synoptics gospels say something similar as well before the transfiguration happens.
With that in mind, I believe that when Jesus brings to kingdom into our midst, we too are changed after being with Jesus. When we see Jesus as the fulfillment of the law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah), a vision of what it means for the Kingdom of God to be in our midst, it isn’t simply Jesus who changes in our eyes, we too are changed in light of him.
The video attached to this email is a song I wrote 6 years ago telling the story of Jesus transfiguration and our mission to declare the kingdom has come. I pray that as the world changes once again, that Christ with do a new work in transforming his people as well.
Blessings,
Rick
Btw: Today’s lectionary reading of the transfiguration is Luke 9:28-36 (37-43) but encourage you to read each Gospel’s account. It’s also found in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–8). The Second Epistle of Peter also refers to it (2 Peter 1:16–18). It has also been theorized that the first chapter of the Gospel of John alludes to it (John 1:14).
Transfiguration Hymn (Kingdom Come)