Lessons for February 18, 2007 – Transfiguration of our Lord

The first lesson

Exodus 34:29-35
 
    When Moses came down the mountain carrying the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn't aware that his face glowed because he had spoken to the Lord face to face. [30] And when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses' face, they were afraid to come near him. 
    [31] But Moses called to them and asked Aaron and the community leaders to come over and talk with him. [32] Then all the people came, and Moses gave them the instructions the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. [33] When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. [34] But whenever he went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the Lord, he removed the veil until he came out again. Then he would give the people whatever instructions the Lord had given him, [35] and the people would see his face aglow. Afterward he would put the veil on again until he returned to speak with the Lord.  (NLT)

Psalm 99
 
L.  The Lord is king! Let the nations tremble!
C.  He sits on his throne between the cherubim. Let the whole earth quake! 
L.  The Lord sits in majesty in Jerusalem, supreme above all the nations. 
C.  Let them praise your great and awesome name.
L.  Your name is holy! 
C.  Mighty king, lover of justice, you have established fairness.
L.  You have acted with justice and righteousness throughout Israel. 
C.  Exalt the Lord our God! Bow low before his feet, for he is holy!
L.  Moses and Aaron were among his priests; Samuel also called on his name.
C.  They cried to the Lord for help, and he answered them. 
L.  He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud,
C.  and they followed the decrees and principles he gave them. 
L.  O Lord our God, you answered them.
C.  You were a forgiving God, but you punished them when they went wrong.
L.  Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain in Jerusalem,
C.  for the Lord our God is holy!  (NLT)

The second lesson

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
 
    Since this new covenant gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. [13] We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory fading away. [14] But the people's minds were hardened, and even to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, a veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. [15] Yes, even today when they read Moses' writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand. 
    [16] But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away. [17] Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. [18] And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.
 [4:1] And so, since God in his mercy has given us this wonderful ministry, we never give up. [2] We reject all shameful and underhanded methods. We do not try to trick anyone, and we do not distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know that. (NLT)

The Gospel Lesson

Luke 9:28-43
 
    About eight days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a mountain to pray. [29] And as he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothing became dazzling white. [30] Then two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. [31] They were glorious to see. And they were speaking of how he was about to fulfill God's plan by dying in Jerusalem. 
    [32] Peter and the others were very drowsy and had fallen asleep. Now they woke up and saw Jesus' glory and the two men standing with him. [33] As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, "Master, this is wonderful! We will make three shrines—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." [34] But even as he was saying this, a cloud came over them; and terror gripped them as it covered them. 
    [35] Then a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him." [36] When the voice died away, Jesus was there alone. They didn't tell anyone what they had seen until long after this happened.
 
    [37] The next day, after they had come down the mountain, a huge crowd met Jesus. [38] A man in the crowd called out to him, "Teacher, look at my boy, who is my only son. [39] An evil spirit keeps seizing him, making him scream. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It is always hitting and injuring him. It hardly ever leaves him alone. [40] I begged your disciples to cast the spirit out, but they couldn't do it." 
    [41] "You stubborn, faithless people," Jesus said, "how long must I be with you and put up with you? Bring him here." [42] As the boy came forward, the demon knocked him to the ground and threw him into a violent convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and healed the boy. Then he gave him back to his father. [43] Awe gripped the people as they saw this display of God's power.  (NLT)