Mountaintops

“Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘ This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’” – Matthew 9:7

Scripture Reading: Mark 9:1-13

These words of the Father echo those that He spoke over Jesus at His baptism. Once again, Jesus is claimed by God and is strengthened and empowered for the work ahead.

Jesus purposely invited Peter, James, and John to accompany Him on this mountaintop experience. And it must have been pretty overwhelming for them. Here’s Jesus, so dazzlingly white it would have hurt to look at Him. Talking to Moses and Elijah who lived hundreds of years before their time.

In fear, Peter offers to build three shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. It seems that he is preparing to stay on the mountaintop, at the very moment that Jesus is preparing to move down into the valley of the shadow of death.

But then God’s audible voice gives a direct command. Listen.

If we listen carefully to this story, we can learn a lot about the mountaintop. Jesus couldn’t stay there, and neither can we. But our experiences there enable us to face the difficulties of the journey beyond.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank You for our mountaintop experiences, those times when we have felt Your presence and power in awesome ways. But we recognize that the road inevitably continues forward into lower places. Help us continue to feel You there. Amen.