Mountaintop Experience

Even if you would look at the Bible only as literature, you would discover it to be fascinating! But it has much to say about so much more: the human condition, history, science, poetry, music, high drama, the battle between good and evil, sadness, joy, and most of all, hope!

We have an interesting account in the book of Matthew where Jesus led three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John, up to the top a high mountain to be alone with them. The three men did not know what to expect but they soon found out! They watched as “Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.” Matthew 17:2,3

We should stop here and note that Moses and Elijah were both real people of the Old Testament but lived many, many years before these disciples! These men were truly having an extraordinary experience! Peter was loving it! Who wouldn’t? A fantastic interaction with Jesus and two well-known faithful people of God from the distant past! Peter somehow wanted to preserve, continue, and commemorate this wonderful event. This is recorded in two other Gospel books of the Bible (Mark 9:2-8 and Luke 9:28-36). These accounts suggest that all were terrified, and Peter did not know what he was saying! I think we can understand a response like that! His suggestion was to build three shelters, one each for Jesus, Moses and Elijah (v4). When you think about it, his idea was well-intended but not very well thought out! Why did Peter want to build a shelter for them? What would you have wanted to do?

As Peter was stumbling for some kind of response, he was interrupted as a “bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” (v5)

Whew! How many times do we need to heed that advice? God was not asking for a response, opinion or shelter. God’s message to them was “this is my beloved Son,” and “listen to him.” That’s what we all need to heed.

This account is important because it allowed the disciples to be eyewitnesses to this discussion. They were credible witnesses to the other disciples and the church for all time. That includes you and I. This was a brief snippet of the magnificent plan God has for us.
How do we acknowledge God’s presence in our lives? We do that when we pray. We are talking directly to God. As we make minor or major decisions in life, we can recognize that God is right there with us to guide and inform us. You might like to sing familiar hymns or songs that express that God is right there with you. When we ask God to forgive us when we sin, we acknowledge his presence. All of these examples also apply to what we do during church services. God is there. He is the object and focus of our worship.

We may all want to have a mountaintop experience like the three disciples did, but do we need it? God can communicate with us in any way He desires. The most precious gift He has given us is His Word; the Bible. We can count on it.

4832 Ponderings:

• In verse 5, that Peter’s great idea was interrupted by a message from God. How might that happen for us in our everyday lives?
• What is Jesus telling us today and why should we listen to Him?