MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCES

READ: Luke 9:28-36

ANSWER THIS: What’s one of the greatest memories in your life?

THE BREAKDOWN

The disciples have witnessed Jesus spending exhausting days teaching, healing, and performing miracles. Frequently, they would see him slip away by himself, where in solitude, he could listen and talk to God without interruption. On this day, Jesus invites his closest disciples, Peter, John, and James to join him for some prayer time. They have no idea what they’re in for.

They head up the mountain, and Jesus starts to pray. Then, three surprising things happen.

• One, Jesus’ face is “transformed” and his clothes become “dazzling white” (one account says his face shined like the sun, and his clothes became white as light).
• Two, Moses and Elijah (whose stories are told in the Old Testament, and who lived and died hundreds of years before Jesus) appear and strike up a conversation with Jesus about events that are soon to unfold in his life.
• And, three, a cloud unexpectedly covers them.

The disciples are awestruck. So much so, Peter starts rambling about pitching tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah to prolong the moment. He didn’t know what to do or say, so he just launches into what is common behavior for him: Impulsively acting without thinking.

To calm the situation, God speaks to them from the cloud saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.” He’s confirming the fact that Jesus is His son and basically tells the disciples to chill out and listen to what Jesus has to say.

Suddenly, the cloud is gone, and so are Moses and Elijah. All that remains is Jesus.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

The term “mountain-top experience” is used to describe life-changing events that exceed anything that happens during the normal course of our lives. Its origins come from the Bible because so many amazing things written about in the Bible seem to happen on mountaintops.

The modern use of the term, though, carries with it a cautionary tone. More often than not, when people have a mountain top experience, the high that comes from the experience fades away when they find themselves back in the daily routine and habits they were in before. Any attempt to extend or recreate the experience falls flat. And, soon after, discouragement sets in.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR ME?

Mountain-top experiences—especially those that lead to a life following Jesus—can be a very good thing. But, we shouldn’t try to prolong the experience itself, like Peter tried to do. We need to remind ourselves that, at the end of the day, when the experience fades away, Jesus is still there.

PRAYER

“Dear Lord, I’ve had so many mountain-top experiences I’ve lost count. And when I come back down to earth, I question whether or not they were real. Thank you for reminding me that mountain-top experiences are real, but they aren’t meant to last. What is meant to last is a relationship with Jesus.”