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Jesus is The Complete Word of God
From Matthew 17: 1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." 8 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."
I write this not far from where Jesus has been made very real to me during my youth. Up the road from where I write these words is Mt. Wesley Methodist Encampment, where for several summers I, and the youth group from El Buen Pastor UMC, Houston, spent a week in worship, learning, fun, and singing. We had great speakers who came to share their faith and one even had an altar call for youth to come and respond to Jesus' invitation to be their Lord and Savior. The camp in those days was truly isolated from the town of Kerrville, Texas. At Vesper Point we could see the lights of the small town and we could even see the images of a drive-in movie theatre and we tried to guess which movie was playing. For us South Texans, this was a true mountain that offered mountain top experiences; a good feeling in our spirits that we had truly spent time with God and all was right in the world. We knew that we were closer to God than we had ever been and we were being blessed to come down from the mountain to live a life that would bless others.
Jesus took with Him those disciples of His inner circle; Peter, James, and John. These three saw and experienced more than the other disciples. Jesus had a reason for this and these were the three that He trusted most. It was on this occasion that something unexplainable happened. And aren't the most wonderful things that God offers us for our blessing sometimes unexplainable? You begin to realize as you're older that these experiences were meant to be enjoyed not explained. This is especially handy for boys and men with out limited vocabulary. I would return from camp and Mom and Dad would ask, "How was camp?" I would say, "Good."
Peter, James, and John experienced the Transfiguration; an event that showed that Jesus was completely with them and also at that moment completely in Glory, that is, the Heavenly realm that most mortals do not see while alive. I believe it was an experience meant to be enjoyed by them, but they were so besides themselves they did not know how to act or what to do. Then add to it that the passage says that Moses and Elijah joined Jesus and were talking to Him! Talk about giddy! The Old Testament ends with the book of Malachi with God saying, there is a great day coming when I will act in judgment; to be ready remember Moses' teachings and I will send Elijah. (Malachi 4). The disciples knew this passage and the Spirit helped them to understand who the second and third persons were among them and all Peter can think to do is to build "three dwellings" for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. It was his way of saying, "Don't let this moment end! Please stay with us!" A true mountain top experience is one that we want never to end. Then comes the icing on this delicious cake, a voice from Heaven, God's voice, says, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with Him I am well pleased; listen to Him!" This knocks the disciples down to the ground with fear. As if seeing two dead guys back in this realm was not enough, to hear the voice of God made them fear what might be next.
The thing that brought them back, as happens to so many of us, was the touch of Jesus and His calm words, "Get up and do not be afraid." They realized now they were alone and were instructed not to tell anyone about this amazing vision until after His resurrection.
I'm thankful that now and many years after my mountain top experience I have been able to share what God has done in my life. I love God and trust Him and try very hard to walk with Him each day. Those mountain top experiences served to prepare me for when God spoke to my heart to become a minister to eventually say yes; a decision I have never regretted.
You may be in a valley or low experience right now, but this mountain top experience of the disciples with Jesus serves to help you realize that this too will pass. Jesus' touch and soothing words are your as well. Get up, and that means lift your spirit, and do not be afraid. Jesus rose from the dead after having endured much pain and suffering and whatever you may be going through will pass with the power and presence of Jesus in your life as you invite Him in.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for coming and touching our lives with mountain top experiences. May the blessings of those serve to help us when we're in valleys of sorrow and pain. I pray a special blessing of encouragement and deliverance for those reading this who may be going through sadness or sickness. Heal and help them and stay with us now and forever. This I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
