Seeing Jesus' Glory

Short Talk (SHT140) Seeing Jesus’ glory © Jane Hulme 2019 Aim of Short talk: Use of Short talk: Main themes: Biblical references: Lectionary: Props: SHORT TALK: “Seeing Jesus’ glory” To teach people that when Jesus was transfigured on the mountain and the disciples saw His glory; they saw who Jesus truly is. We can catch a glimpse of Jesus’ glory as we spend time alone with Him and time with other Christians, but one day we will see His glory in full. This is a short All Age talk picking out one issue from the Lectionary Gospel reading of the Sunday main service. The talk stands alone and assumes that the Gospel Bible reading may not yet have been read to the congregation. It could be used for example, for the whole congregation before the children go out to their age specific groups, leaving the adults with a full sermon later. Jesus, Transfiguration, Glory, Listening Luke 9:28-36[37-43a] Year C – The Sunday next before Lent You will need a lamp (as large as possible) with a very bright bulb sitting on a table, visible for all to see. Initially it needs to be switched off, but during the talk you will be switching it on. .................................................................................................................. I want you to imagine for a moment that you have come from a country where there is no electricity and that you have never seen a thing like this before. (Point to the lamp)  Who is good with words and would like to have a go at describing this? (Receive a couple of volunteers) OK so what words would you use to describe this thing that you have never seen before? (Receive words of description from your volunteers, but don’t allow them to use any words to do with lamp, light etc.) Now let’s see what words you would use to describe this thing now. (Switch on lamp and receive words from volunteers – hopefully one of which is “lamp,” or “light”) Until I switched the lamp on, it was quite hard to describe what it was, wasn’t it?  If you’d never seen one before you couldn’t tell what it was by simply looking at it. But once I switched the lamp on, we could see it in all of its glory.....a giver of light.  Thank you volunteers.....would you like to sit down. One day Jesus took 3 of his disciples up a mountain with Him to pray.  As Jesus was praying, the Bible tells us that “the appearance of his face changed and his clothes became blinding white,” (Luke 9:29 The Message Version)  and that the disciples saw Jesus’ glory,  in other words they saw who Jesus truly was....indeed who He still is. © Jane Hulme 2019 2 Before they went up the mountain together, Jesus’ glory was hidden, a bit like the lamp when it was switched off, (Switch off the lamp)  but when Jesus’ face and clothes were shining brightly, Jesus’ glory was seen, a bit like the lamp when it was switched on. (Switch on the lamp) Not only did the disciples see Jesus’ glory, but God the Father made it very clear to them who Jesus truly is.  He said: “This is my Son, the Chosen! Listen to him.” (Luke 9:35 The Message Version) That must have been an amazing day for the 3 disciples....  seeing Jesus’ glory,  seeing Jesus as He truly is,  what a privilege. So what about us today? Can we see Jesus in His glory? Because Jesus is now in heaven with God the Father, we can’t see Jesus’ glory with our physical eyes, like the disciples did, while we live on earth. (Switch off the lamp)  However we can catch glimpses of His glory with our spiritual eyes, as the Holy Spirit shows Jesus to us.  Often that will happen as we spend time alone with Jesus reading our Bibles and praying,  and as we spend time worshipping Him together. But one day the Bible promises us that we will all see Jesus in all of His glory when He returns. (Revelation 1:7)  One day it will be like the lights all turn on! (Switch on the lamp)  We will all see Jesus as He truly is. Until that day comes, (Switch off the lamp) let us hold on to the truth that has been shown us in the Bible that Jesus is God’s Son.  He is the One we need to listen to and obey,  even if other people around us don’t know who He really is. © Jane Hulme 2019 3