Mark 9 - The Mountaintop Experience!
The Transfiguration
2 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. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
5 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.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
We often talk about the "mountaintop experience". It is usually a time we meet God in a powerful way. It is an experience that sticks with us, and is transformational for our whole lives. Today we read of a literal mountaintop experience for Peter, James and John, the inner circle of Jesus' disciples. Jesus brought them up on the mountain to experience of the glory he had before he came down to earth. Shortly thereafter, when Jesus died and rose from the dead, this mountaintop experience would be one that they would lean on.
There are three noteworthy aspects of the disciples' experience. One, the text says Jesus was "transfigured before them". For a moment the true glory of Jesus shone brightly before them. Charles Spurgeon the great preacher says this about the nature of the transfiguration,
"This was not a new miracle, but the temporary pause of an ongoing miracle. The real miracle was that Jesus, most of the time, could keep from displaying His glory."
For a moment the disciples saw Jesus' divinity! Then, they saw Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Most people think Elijah represented the prophets, and Moses the Law. So, the disciples saw that God's people who trusted in Him and His covenant would also be in heaven.
Finally, they hear God's voice coming out of the clouds saying, "This is my Son with whom I am well pleased!" This was what God said to Jesus when he was baptized.
Mountaintop experiences can happen in many ways, none of them normative for everyone's life or experience of God. They don't necessarily need to be dramatic but are usually very personal. God works to reveal himself to us in many ways. For some it is shining light. For others it is a still, small voice. Some may see visions of grandeur. Many have experienced God powerfully as they have obeyed God's call for their lives. I.e. A mission trip For me it was a strong experience of feeling his unconditional love for me, which increased as I learned to pray and read the bible.
My prayer is that you have experienced God in a personal way that has shaped `and transformed your life. I believe God has not "been tried and found wanting, but wanting to be tried". God always meets us where are at and invites him to know him through His Son but He will never force himself on him.
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