Exodus 24:12-18 And the Lord said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain. Stay there while I give you the tablets of stone that I have inscribed with my instructions and commands. Then you will teach the people from them." 13So Moses and his assistant Joshua climbed up the mountain of God. 14Moses told the other leaders, "Stay here and wait for us until we come back. If there are any problems while I am gone, consult with Aaron and Hur, who are here with you." 15Then Moses went up the mountain, and the cloud covered it. 16And the glorious presence of the Lord rested upon Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from the cloud. 17The Israelites at the foot of the mountain saw an awesome sight. The awesome glory of the Lord on the mountaintop looked like a devouring fire. 18Then Moses disappeared into the cloud as he climbed higher up the mountain. He stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. (NLT) Psalm 2 L. Why do the nations rage? Why do the people waste their time with futile plans? C. The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one. L. "Let us break their chains," they cry, "and free ourselves from this slavery." C.But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. L. Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury. C. For the Lord declares, "I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, my holy city." L. The king proclaims the Lord's decree: "The Lord said to me, 'You are my son. Today I have become your Father. C. Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the ends of the earth as your possession. L. You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.' " C. Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth! L. Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. C. Submit to God's royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of your pursuits— for his anger can flare up in an instant. L. But what joy for all who find protection in him! (NLT) The second lesson 2 Peter 1:16-21 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his coming again. We have seen his majestic splendor with our own eyes. 17And he received honor and glory from God the Father when God's glorious, majestic voice called down from heaven, "This is my beloved Son; I am fully pleased with him." 18We ourselves heard the voice when we were there with him on the holy mountain. 19Because of that, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. Pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a light shining in a dark place—until the day Christ appears and his brilliant light shines in your hearts. 20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves 21or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God. (NLT) The Gospel Lesson Matthew 17:1-9 1After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters-- one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." (NIV)