Encounter | Monday | 10/5

Jesus on the Mountain

Luke 9:28–36 About eight days after Jesus said these things, he took Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray. ²⁹ As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes flashed white like lightning. ³⁰ Two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with him. ³¹ They were clothed with heavenly splendor and spoke about Jesus’ departure, which he would achieve in Jerusalem. ³² Peter and those with him were almost overcome by sleep, but they managed to stay awake and saw his glory as well as the two men with him.

³³ As the two men were about to leave Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it’s good that we’re here. We should construct three shrines: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—but he didn’t know what he was saying. ³⁴ Peter was still speaking when a cloud overshadowed them. As they entered the cloud, they were overcome with awe.

³⁵ Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to him!” ³⁶ Even as the voice spoke, Jesus was found alone. They were speechless and at the time told no one what they had seen.

Peter, James, and John experience something extraordinary.

Jesus is transfigured before them. His appearance changes. His clothes become radiant. Moses and Elijah appear. Then the voice of God speaks:

“This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”

There is no ambiguity here.

Jesus is unmistakably present.

Most of us have probably never experienced anything quite like the Transfiguration. But maybe you've had moments when God's presence seemed unusually clear. A worship service. A retreat. A moment in prayer. A conversation. A season when your faith seemed alive and Jesus seemed incredibly close.

Those moments are gifts.

Peter's instinct is understandable: Can we stay here?

But Jesus doesn't allow them to build their lives around the mountaintop. They have to come down. And when they do, they immediately encounter a desperate father and his suffering son.    Pasted markdown

The mountaintop was real.

But Jesus was never going to stay there.

Reflect: 

When have you experienced a season when God's presence seemed especially clear? How did that experience prepare you to return to ordinary life?

Pray: 

Jesus, thank you for the moments when your presence seems unmistakable. Help me receive those moments as gifts without trying to live there forever. Let every encounter with you prepare me to follow you wherever you lead. Amen.