Luke 9:28-36 (NIV) 28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34 While he 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.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
About eight days earlier, Jesus had asked His disciples who do you say that I am, and now on this day Jesus asks the disciples Peter, James, and John to walk with Him away from the questions and demands of the crowds and to go with Him up a mountain. It was as if He were saying come away with Me for a while. Come away from the bustling business and dizzying demands of your everyday life. Come away from the problems that plague you and the life that drains you.
Something special happened that day on the mountain. Something significant. Something that Peter and James and John would never forget. But though Peter, James, and John were turned in the right direction by their mountain top experience, they were not changed. All the disciples still expected Jesus to bring in an earthly kingdom.
This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him. When it was over Jesus and the disciples started back down the mountain. But, did you see it? Did you see the way His whole countenance seemed to shine? This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him. Did you see that? Did you see those other two people up there? Moses and Elijah? Did you see that and do you remember the voice we heard? Do you remember what that voice said? This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.
Have you ever had a mountain top spiritual experience? Asking that question is like asking if you have ever fallen in love. If you have, you know it. If not, you may be unsure of what the question even means. But still, in this noisy world, there comes to us a quiet invitation to go away to a mountaintop with Christ for a while. This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.
From a sermon preached by Henry Dobbs Pope February 25, 2001
© Rhonda Hinkle Mitchell
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