Text: Matthew 17:1-9; 2 Peter 1:16-18

Prop: A Power Ranger toy or poster of Power Rangers

Summary: Power Rangers “morph” or change into super heroes. Jesus revealed his glory as the Son of God to three disciples.

Look what I brought with me today. Do you know what it is? [a Power Ranger] When the boys and girls that make up the Power Rangers are at school, no one knows that they can morph (or change) into super heroes. They just seem like ordinary boys and girls. Today I want to tell you the story about the time Jesus morphed. He showed himself in all his majesty and glory.

One day Jesus took three of his disciples to a high mountain to be alone with them and pray. He took Peter, James, and John. James and John were called the “sons of thunder” by Jesus. All three were bold and unafraid to tell the truth to others. Little did they realize that Jesus was about to reveal himself to them as he never had before. They had seen him perform mighty miracles. Peter had confessed Jesus as God’s “anointed one,” the Christ. Now Jesus was going to be seen for who he was, God’s Son, in all his power and glory.

(Read Matthew 17:1-3) Jesus went up the mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. (Luke 9:29) And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow. (Mark 9:3a) Jesus morphed. He was not changing because some heavenly light was shining down from heaven on him. His appearance changed because his true spirit flashed out from within in a radiant splendor. He appeared as the only real super hero we have, the Son of God. These three disciples were amazed and afraid.
Wow! They saw Moses and Elijah, who represented the law and the prophets, talking to Jesus. Remember who Moses and Elijah were? They had lived many hundreds of years before Jesus was born on earth. Peter knew he was seeing a vision from heaven. Moses and Elijah told Jesus he would die when he went to Jerusalem [Luke 9:31]. Then, they vanished!

Then Peter must have felt he needed to make a speech about this important event, so he started asking Jesus about building a memorial, with three tabernacles for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Peter was always speaking up at the wrong time. Just then, a brilliant cloud came down and covered them and the three disciples fell to the ground in fear.

(Read Matthew 17:5) They heard God the Father tell them that Jesus was his Son, and to listen to whatever he had to say. As Jesus’ followers today, we must listen to what Jesus says. We do this when we obey what is written in the Bible, and when we pray. Later in Peter’s life, he told everyone that this event really took place [2 Peter 1:16-18].

Jesus told the three disciples as they came down the mountain not to tell anyone what they had seen until he had risen from the dead. It was to be a secret. The three men wondered what he meant about rising from the dead. Later, after Jesus rose from the grave, they understood. This story isn’t a secret anymore. We can tell everyone we know that Jesus is the Son of God, and that he is the greatest Power Ranger in the whole, wide world.

Alternate Introduction: Some people feel Power Rangers portray violence. If you are among them, please use an example of a caterpillar changing into a butterfly, going through metamorphosis.

©1998 by Jim Kerlin. All rights reserved.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are the exclusive property of Saban Entertainment Inc.