A Series on the Milestones
in Jesus’ Life
Luke 9:28-36
(Use the link below to read the verses.)
When
I was in college, our church would hold a retreat for all the students.
We
would be gone for forty-eight hours, and during that time we had a speaker,
singing, games and fellowship. Usually, I would come home excited about my
Christian faith. It was a mountaintop experience; but nothing like the one
Jesus had.
2 …Jesus took Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray. 29 And
as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes
became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly, two men, Moses and Elijah,
appeared and began talking with Jesus. 31 They were glorious to
see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about
to be fulfilled in Jerusalem. NLT
Although
Peter, James and John were there, they had fallen asleep. When they woke up,
Peter started talking without thinking, and suggested building a memorial for
Jesus, Moses and Elijah. What happened next was nothing short of miraculous.
34 While he (Peter) was speaking, a
cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the
cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son,
whom I have chosen; listen to him.” NIV
Consider
this interpretation of the story.
Jesus knew that he was about to go to Jerusalem;
he knew what would happen to him there; he knew that he was about to experience
the most painful part of his life. He also knew, that this was why he had been chosen.
But before going, he asked his closest disciples, and
friends, to pray with him on a mountain. He wanted them to be with him; and he needed
to be with his Heavenly Father. While there, he was transformed physically,
emotionally and spiritually. It was a mountaintop experience; a milestone in
his life.
Now he was ready to face whatever waited for him.
I’ve
never come away from a retreat where my face has been transformed or my cloths became
dazzling white. But I have come away knowing that I have been in the presence
of God; feeling stronger in my faith; sensing greater purpose and mission in my
life; and being ready for whatever was in my future.
You
don’t have to go on a retreat to be in the presence of God.
But it’s important
for us to make time to go to the Mountaintop; to spend extended time in His
presence; to listen to His still, small voice; and to be transformed.
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