Transfiguration Sunday Hymn Sing (Based on Matthew 17:1-9)

Transfiguration Sunday Hymn Sing (Based on Matthew 17:1-9)

The Mountaintop

Matthew 17:1, “Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.” Jesus has been in active ministry, teaching and performing miracles, challenging and healing. And now, he needed time to rest with those he held most dear. Jesus’s whole ministry follows this rhythm of active ministry and then departing for time alone with God, time alone with his disciples, time of Sabbath and time of rest. Perhaps it is no accident that this text starts ‘Six Days later…” when the 7th day is the Sabbath. It was time for him to go to a secluded place with those he loved and spend time with God. Jesus invites us to spend time alone with him, to follow him up a high mountain, just us and Jesus and maybe those we love - to get away from all the tasks and demands of our lives, and just be with God.

Come and Find the Quiet Center, vs. 1 & 3, FWS 2128

The Light

Matthew 17:2, “And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light.” WOW. wow. We with the disciples are blinded by Jesus’s transfiguration. Yes, just six days earlier Peter had proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God but could he ever have imagined such brilliance? Such shocking light. Such Divine Holiness that the human eye can barely contain it - being blinded by his light? We too proclaim that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God…but can we even imagine what it would be like to come face to face with the shining Light of God that is God Enfleshed, Jesus? Even hearing about it in Scripture stirs something in our hearts. How can you see a scene like this and not have your heart moved?

Shine, Jesus, Shine, vs. 1 & 3, FWS 2173

Moses & Elijah (Law & Prophets)

Matthew 17:3, “Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.” For the Jewish people, Moses represented the Law and Elijah the prophets. Their appearance showed that Jesus was an heir of their work, would bring it to completion, and was greater than even them. Jesus himself says that the summation of all the law and all the prophets is this: To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus’s shining brilliance reminds us of that day when all the law and prophets are fulfilled. When the oppressed are free, when every tear ceases, when Love is Lord of All.

These are the Days of Elijah, W&S 3186

Holy Ground

Matthew 17:4, “Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will set up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’” “It is good for us to be here.” Have you ever had a sudden realization that you are standing on Holy Ground? We call these thin places - places where heaven and earth seem to meet. Places where we can strongly sense God’s presence here on Earth. It is good for us to be here - to be in the presence of God, to be on Holy Ground. When Moses saw a burning bush he turned aside from the road he was on to go look at it and in doing so, encountered holy ground. May we all be attuned to when we come across holy ground, when the opportunity presents itself, may we turn aside and find ourselves in the presence of God. It is good for us to be here.

Holy Ground, x2, FWS 2272

Jesus, My Son, The Beloved

Matthew 17:5a, “While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased..” A voice from the cloud declaring Jesus as God’s Beloved Son reminds us of his baptism. Matthew’s Gospel says, “And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from the heavens said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’” Jesus’s Transfiguration and his Baptism reminds us of who he is, the Son of God, Beloved. And through our baptisms, through Christ, we too become children of God, joint heirs with Christ. Because Jesus is God’s beloved, we too are beloved by God. And through the power of God’s love and the waters of our baptism, called to be transformed, transfigured, to live in the likeness of Christ.

Fairest Lord Jesus, vs. 1 & 4, UMH 189

Listen to Him

Matthew 17:5b - 8, “‘Listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.” After this proclamation from heaven, the disciples no longer saw Jesus glowing with Divine light, they no longer saw Moses and Elijah but they saw Jesus - alone, by himself. But what does it mean for us to see Jesus alone? That is, to not listen to the voices in this world that would lead us astray. But to keep our ears tuned to the Spirit and our eyes on Jesus alone, so that the desires of our hearts, would be for nothing but Jesus.

Be Thou My Vision, vs. 1 - 2, UMH 451

Go Down the Mountain

Matthew 17:9, “As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’” The disciples and Jesus went down the mountain and back into their daily work and ministry. What they had seen and experienced had left a mark on them - although they wouldn’t fully understand it all and be able to share it until Jesus’s resurrection. For us who know of Jesus’s resurrection, the story of the Transfiguration should change us too: A story of sabbath, a story of light, of hope for the day when Jesus comes again, a story of reflection, and a story that sends us back down the mountain, to share the brilliant light and amazing love of Jesus with all we meet.

Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, vs. 1, 3 - 4, UMH 438