Feb 6th 2005

rizz

New Member
Reading.
Luke 9:28-43 (NRSV)
Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"-- not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God.

Devotional
As [Jesus] was praying, the appearance of his face changed.
-Luke 9:29 (NIV)

IN the small-town hospital, the hall lights were dimmed. I could hear each of my footsteps as I walked down the quiet hallway. I was anxious. As a chaplain, I make quite a few visits each day. Some people are interested in talking about the spiritual side of their treatment; some are not. I wondered, What difference will my visit make to the man in room 18?

He had terminal cancer. When I walked into the room, I saw that he was wide awake and staring at the ceiling. When he saw me, his entire countenance changed. I could see the joy in his face. He said he had been waiting for a chaplain all day. He had some spiritual issues that were on his mind. We prayed and talked into the night.

The next Sunday was Transfiguration Sunday. I thought about the man in room 18 and the power of God that can bring transformation within all of us. When Peter, James, and John saw Jesus transfigured, they went down from the mountain to change the world. In a similar way, because of knowing Christ, we can be instruments of God in the lives of other people.

Ron Nelson (Iowa, U.S.A.)
Prayer
Prayer
O God, as you change us in Christ, help us to be instruments of your power to change the world. Amen.

Thought for the Day
Through us, the power of God can transform the world.

Prayer Focus

Those being treated for cancer
 
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