Blog
Most of the posts you’ll find here first appeared as podcast episodes. You can listen to each episode on the page or read the slightly edited transcript. You’ll also find questions for personal reflection or discussion.
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After the disciples fail to drive a demon out of a boy and fail to understand Jesus’ teaching, they have the audacity to argue over which of them is the greatest. Jesus uses a child to teach them that true greatness elevates others.
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While crowds marvel at one of Jesus’ miracles, he tells his disciples that he will be “delivered into the hands of men.” In spite of his instructions to listen carefully, the disciples don’t understand what he means and don’t ask him to explain. From this, we learn that true greatness listens to Jesus.
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In the first of four short, related stories, we meet a boy whose problem the disciples could not fix. Jesus calls them out as “unbelieving and perverse.” They had twisted their confidence and belief to be in themselves, not in Jesus. But seeing his greatness is the antidote to unbelief.
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Initially, when the transfiguration happens, Peter has fallen asleep. But when he becomes fully awake and sees what’s happening, he begins to babble, suggesting that they build some tents so they can all stay there. But he’s rushing ahead. There’s tough work to do first, but glory is coming.
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During the Transfiguration, a cloud descends and covers the top of the mountain. And out of that cloud, a voice says, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” The application to seeing Jesus’ glory and recognizing his identity is to listen, even when what he has to say is difficult.
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The story of the Transfiguration can be rather mysterious. While Jesus is on a mountaintop praying, his face changes and he begins to glow! Looking at a few Old Testament passages connects Jesus’ shining glory to God’s presence.
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Amy C Walters 