This is the first time I have ever posted a "blog" on anything and it has only been with the help of Kitty that I am able to do this. In this I will attempt to explain the meaning of the scripture readings of the Sunday service. This interpretations will be from my understanding and hopefully give you a little better knowledge of the Bible.
This week the Gospel reading is from Luke 9:28-36. It deals with the transfiguration of Jesus up on the mountain top.
28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure,[a] which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)
34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they enitered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen but Jesus coming departure. This gives the three disciples a "behind the curtain" look at Jesus' glory in the realm of God. The anticipation of the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Savior, Jesus. When the voice comes from the clouds above, it provides a public endorsement of the disclosure of Jesus as was told at his baptism, "This is my son, my chosen. Listen to Him."
When the clouds on the mountain top lift, only Jesus and the three disciples are seen. The figures of Moses and Elijah have disappeared. The "exodus" image suggests that Jesus' journey to Jerusalem is both an exit from life and a journey from wilderness testing to liberation. This is certainly the first step toward the cross that prophecy told about.
The services at the White Pine Community church are open to all. We hold service at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Our Ash Wednesday service will be held on Wednesday March 2 at 5:30 p.m. and our Lenten services will be held on Monday evenings at 6:30 in the church. We will be holding a Bible Study called Savior: What the Bible Says About the Cross. Everyone is welcome to gain some insight and have some good fellowship.
God Bless everyone
Pastor Pete
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