Welcome to our Sunday Worship on the Sunday before Lent. Our Church Services in Leesfield Parish are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11 am at St Thomas'. If you're not able to be with us in person, you can find the Gospel reading, reflection and prayers below, along with a couple of hymns so that you can worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "Transfiguration"
Today's Gospel
Matthew 17:1-9The Transfiguration
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Reflection
This passage starts with the words 6 days later. So you may ask 6 days later than what? It was 6 days after Peter did what he was quite good at, and showed his ignorance in that he didn’t really understand who Jesus was. Jesus had just told the disciples about some of the horrors and persecution that he would soon face from the elders and chief priests in Jerusalem, including his death and resurrection. Peter had taken Jesus aside and tried to influence Him not to follow a path that would lead to His death. He had said, “This shall never happen to you!” Peter had misjudged the true identity of Jesus.
We can perhaps understand why Peter thought that. Despite the wonders and miracles he had witnessed, it would have been hard for Peter to truly understand the nature of who Jesus was. Peter would have recognised Jesus as a remarkable and charismatic teacher and healer, even a prophet. But, he would also have seen an ordinary man, around 33 years old who was concealed by poverty and humility. An ordinary bloke made of flesh and blood.
So Jesus chose Peter to go up the mountain with James and John to witness His transfiguration. Where Jesus shone with the brilliant radiance of sprirtual light. The light of divinity that even shone from His clothes. They would have recognised this spiritual light from the scriptures, (Exodus 34: 29), “where Moses’ face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD”. And to reinforce what was happening Jesus was joined by two of the greatest prophets, Moses and Elijah, and talked with them about the fate that awaited Him in Jerusalem.
Then to absolutely remove any last shred of doubt they hear the voice of God giving His endorsement of Jesus. This is God telling the world not only that Jesus is his Son, not only that Jesus had lived a perfect incarnation as a human among us, but that he is the only person who could carry the sins of the world to the cross and pay for them with his precious, sinless blood.
God is telling the disciples and us, that for that reason we should all listen to Him.
From this point onwards, Jesus faces forward towards his fateful destiny in Jerusalem. A destiny that he was prepared to face because He was the ‘chosen one’ promised by God through the prophets, including Moses and Elijah, many centuries beforehand.
This passage tells us that Jesus knew exactly who he was, and that he knew exactly what he was facing when he walked into Jerusalem to be betrayed, denied, tortured, crucified and buried.
It also reassures us that through faith we are truly loved by God, because He was willing to send Jesus to atone for all our sins. As we face into the season of Lent, it reminds us that through Jesus’ selfless sacrifice, we are saved and all our sins are forgiven so that we may have eternal life. Paul
Our Prayers
Loving Father, we praise and thank You,
that you gave us your only Son for us.
That Jesus put aside the glory of His majesty and power
to be born into this world,
to live a perfect life of obedience
and to die for us on the cross.
We thank you that through faith and belief in Him,
we might be saved and have eternal life.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing"
Notices
Our Tuesday morning Eucharist for Shrove Tuesday is at 10 am at St Thomas'.
This Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent with our Ash Wednesday Eucharist at 7.30 pm at St Thomas’ Church. All are most welcome to join us on this special date in the Church calendar.
Worship for all Generations continues to be on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, 6.30 pm at St Agnes’ Church, to accommodate increased numbers of families who have joined us whilst St John’s Church is unable to provide a mid-week service. During Lent, the children will be doing sponsored prayers to raise money for church funds, so please support them by donating.
Finally, please see this notice regarding “PCC PLUS”. Regular PCC meetings are filled with operational detail, leaving little time to discuss the important matters affecting our parish. We warmly invite all members of our congregations to join us in shaping the future of our Leesfield Parish.
