Snoopy's Lenten Reflections

[paradox3]

Snoopy has decided on a Lenten study after all. Not committing to a daily Bible reading/ reflection but I am sure the Sermon on the Mount will appear from time to time.

The reading in church on Sunday was the Transfiguration story from Matthew. We are in year A of the lectionary which features Matthew's Gospel.

The Transfiguration story shows up in all three synoptic gospels. My minister offered that this indicates it was an important narrative to the early Christians. They struggled with what it meant, she said.

And today we continue to struggle with it. Is it a metaphor? Is it mythology?

The Transfiguration story bridges the gap between the season of Epiphany and Ash Wednesday.

And here we are.

 

[paradox3]

Just looked up Matthew's version of the Transfiguration. (Matt. 17:1-13). It is bookended by Jesus's first and second prediction of His death and resurrection.

Not hard to see why the creators of the RCL might have placed the story on the final Sunday before Lent.

Hmm.

 

[paradox3]

Another observation. The words of God in this passage are very similar to what God had to say when Jesus was baptized.

 

[unsafe]

My take on this

This is the first sentence in this scripture ----six days is mentioned so it has to mean something here ---

Matthew 17 NIV

The Transfiguration​

17 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves

The number 6 in scripture signifies humanity

https://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/6.htm

Meaning of Numbers: The Number 6​

The number 6 and its meaning are related to man and human weakness, imperfection Man was created on day six of creation week.

So what would be the significance of mentioning this number-----

I say -----my spiritual view here -----well Jesus is about to highlight the the gab between Humanity and God's Glory ----the imperfection to perfection -----

If you read Matthew 16

Jesus Predicts His Death​

I say -----So this Transfiguration takes place after Jesus predicts His Death Jesus is preparing the Disciples to witness His transfiguration so they can better understand His Death and Resurrection -----it also validates Jesus as the Son of God --

Moses and Elijah appear ----Representing the Law and the Prophets and Jesus is speaking with them so this is signifying the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets in my view -----

Notice that Peter --James and John were covered with a cloud -----

This is from Strong's Concordance

Clouds as the Manifest Presence of God

At pivotal revelatory moments a cloud shelters God’s people while disclosing His nearness. During the Transfiguration “a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:34-35). The cloud both conceals and proclaims, veiling unapproachable glory yet audibly affirming Christ’s divine Sonship.


So we read that a voice came from the Cloud and it says this -----verse 5 -----
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

I say ----So this is important here cause God the Father is telling the Disciple to Lister to Jesus ----Not Elijah or Moses anymore ---the fulfillment has been done and now Jesus is the WAY -----not the Law or the Prophets ------so all are to listen to Jesus -----

 

[GordW]

Another observation. The words of God in this passage are very similar to what God had to say when Jesus was baptized.

WHich is one of the reasons some feel that this is not an account of a historical event. At any rate it appears to me to be an Easter story read back into an earlier point in the narrative. As with many stories whether it actually happenend or not is not really important. HWhat it tells us about how the early church understood Jesus is far more imprtant.

That being said I really dislike Transfiguration Sunday and often choose to do something else on the last Sunday before LEnt (This year I talked about Love LAnguages)

 

[unsafe]

I personally think this Transfiguration scripture is very important for people to take note of and understand as it is a forerunner for showing what the Resurrected body will look like --

It assures Believers that Jesus has defeated death and as He will be Resurrected to life after His Death so we to will be raised to life in a glorified body ------

The Greek word for transfiguration is

Lexical Summary
metamorphoó: To transform, to change form ,transfigure
"changing form in keeping with inner reality"

Summary

Strong’s
charts a movement from sight of divine glory to sharing in that glory. It anchors sanctification in Christ’s own radiant person, guarantees believers’ final glorification, and calls the church to a life of ongoing, Spirit-enabled transformation.

I am adding this --

I think this is important to speak in my view about as it gives people hope that death is not the final end ---eternal life is there for us if we choose it ----

 

[GordW]

I personally think this Transfiguration scripture is very important for people to take note of and understand as it is a forerunner for showing what the Resurrected body will look like --

It assures Believers that Jesus has defeated death and as He will be Resurrected to life after His Death so we to will be raised to life in a glorified body ------

The Greek word for transfiguration is

Lexical Summary
metamorphoó: To transform, to change form ,transfigure
"changing form in keeping with inner reality"

Summary

Strong’s
charts a movement from sight of divine glory to sharing in that glory. It anchors sanctification in Christ’s own radiant person, guarantees believers’ final glorification, and calls the church to a life of ongoing, Spirit-enabled transformation.

I am adding this --

I think this is important to speak in my view about as it gives people hope that death is not the final end ---eternal life is there for us if we choose it ----

So you agree that it is a post-Easter story/understanding being read backwards into the narrative?

 

[unsafe]

So you agree that it is a post-Easter story/understanding being read backwards into the narrative?

GordW ----I am not interested whether it is a post Easter or a pre Easter Scripture -----this piece of Scripture is very important for people to be told about and have the Spiritual understanding of what this piece of Scripture is really communicating ----that is my opinion ---

Easter in this world for most people is about a Big Easter Bunny and a bunch of Chocolate and gifts ---- it is not about Jesus on the cross and what happens after the Cross for most people today -----

Every single person on this earth is going to die at some point in their life and this piece of scripture provides Hope for people who have no hope in what happens after they pass from this world -----so that should be the focus in my opinion ----not whether it is post or pre the Easter Bunny ------Just saying