Sunday 2 March 2025

Psalm 99

Background
One of my favourite TV programmes is the BBC's 'Would I Lie to You?'  A member of one team is given a card to read out. We are told "They have never seen the card before; they have no idea what is on it." It briefly tells of an alleged incident in their life. The three members of the opposing team have to work out whether the statement is true or false, by asking the reader for more details about the incident.  It is a lot more fun than this brief summary might suggest.

Today's reading is the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus. If it came up on 'Would I Lie to You?' I wonder what people would make of it and what questions they would ask. The story is in Matthew and Mark's Gospels as well as in Luke's Gospel and most Christians are agreed on the truth and importance of the meaning of the story.

This week we are looking at ‘The Authority of Christ’.  Just six words, in verse 35, make  quite clear the source of that authority. God says: "This is my Son, my Chosen."  It was an echo of God's voice heard at Jesus’ baptism, at the beginning of his ministry: "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." (Luke 3:22)

The Baptism is followed by a testing time for Jesus. He has 40 days of temptation in the wilderness, an event observed by Christians during the 40 days beginning this coming Wednesday, which is known as Ash Wednesday. 

Now, on the Mount of Transfiguration, it came at the conclusion of a conversation with two great figures from the past. Moses, Israel’s great lawgiver, and Elijah, the first great prophet, were talking with Jesus about his forthcoming death (Luke 9:31).

At his baptism, God's voice added a word of approval for Jesus. At the Transfiguration, the added words are addressed to the disciples, and to his followers today including ourselves.  God says: "This is my Son, my Chosen, listen to him!"

To Ponder:

• "Listen to him." How do we hear what Jesus is saying to us today?
• "They kept silent and told no one…" (v. 36) What experiences of Jesus have you had and which you felt constrained to keep to yourself?

Prayer
Lord, may I see something of your glory today and in the coming week. Amen.

Bible notes author: Alan Sharp
Alan is a retired teacher. He lives in St Albans where he is a member of both his local Methodist church and of his parish church. He has been a local preacher and a church organist and choirmaster for over 60 years and writes a monthly article on hymns for The Methodist Recorder.