Matthew 17:1-13
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 bright as light. 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[a] will set up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved;[b] 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 raised their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
9 As 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.” 10 And the disciples asked him, “Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 11 He replied, “Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things, 12 but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.”13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist.
We must savor the mountain-top experiences when they come along – moments when we can feel and see the beauty and truth of God and sense God drawing near to us as we draw near to God.
But that can never be all there is to it. Jesus always leads us down the mountain….why?….our human siblings are in need of care and healing.
We are not invited to stay on the mountaintop. Rather, we are invited to follow Jesus down the mountain, to be lovers and healers in the valley of the world’s pain and sorrow.
What "mountain top experiences" have you had in your life?
How might God be calling you to come down the mountain, even today?
Almighty God,
Open the eyes of my heart, that I might seek your goodness and mercy throughout all of my life. Help me to sing your praises on the mountaintop and to shine your light in the darkest of valleys. Amen.
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