The Mountain Top Experience
From Mark 9:2-9:
After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
You and I have probably had those mountaintop experiences, where suddenly something about God became crystal clear. You can't quite explain it, but you feel it; sometimes you've seen it; and whatever it is you don't want it to end. Several settings lend themselves to these type of experiences; Mount Wesley in Kerrville was in my youth, the setting where I learned a lot about God. Later, in the mid-80s, it was where I was a pilgrim on my first Walk to Emmaus. The passage from Mark is the ultimate mountaintop experience for Jesus' inner circle. Peter, James and John were privy to several experiences that only they saw or experienced while alone with Jesus.
This comes right after Peter and several of His disciples try to rebuke Jesus for having said He was to suffer much and be killed at the hands of those who wanted His life. Peter was even called "Satan" for his role in this incident. But that's now behind them, and Jesus takes them to the top of this high mountain. As soon as they arrive there, Jesus is transfigured. The easiest way to try to explain this is that Jesus' body is both here, on that mountain, and there in Glory, the realm of God. The disciples could only explain it by trying to explain His clothing becoming "dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them." And to further the spiritual nature of this unique experience, they were able to see two figures with Jesus, whom they identified as being Elijah and Moses, who are talking with Jesus. The only thing Peter can think to say is that he and the other two could build shelters, or places to spend the night; that's how scared he was. Then, God sends a cloud and God's voice declares, "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!" Then it all ended. This is the second time in Jesus' ministry that God has made this declaration; the first at Jesus' baptism, and now.
I always remember the closing words of the last book of the Old Testament; Malachi 4:4-5, where God says, "Remember the law of my servant Moses...Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes." Hmm. Coincidence that the disciples saw these two men mentioned? No. This is fulfillment of prophecy and promise, that God would send these two men, which He does in this experience. Peter. James. John. Witnesses to this unexplainable image of Jesus both here and There; Elijah and Moses present with them; and God declaring this is My Son!
We don't need mountaintop experiences to strengthen our faith. We just need reminders of what God has done in our lives thus far. The challenges and obstacles that are now gone because of God's action; the blessings too numerous to count; and the joy of life because He who came to bring the fullness of life lives within our hearts.
PRAYER: Loving God, for the joy of today I thank You. Yes, for many it is Monday and we may gripe about having to go to work, but remind us we are blessed to have that which provides for us and our families. Give me the joy of a mountaintop experience because You are with me. This I pray in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
