Mountaintop Experience

Mountaintop Experience

Matthew 17:4-7, NKJV

Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 6And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 7But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.”

Setting the Scene

The three disciples watched in wonder as three astounding figures chatted on the threshold of eternity. Impulsive Peter, always eager to speak what came to mind, announced a possible way to memorialize the moment for himself and others. Basically he said, “Lord, we’re so honored that you brought us up here, and we don’t want to lose this amazing moment. Say the word and we’ll put up three shrines as a memorial to this historic event!” This was more than coming up with a way to remember a moment; it was an attempt to snare eternity for display. Today, he might have pulled out a camera and begun to ask Jesus, Moses, and Elijah to pose so he could get memorable shots to post on Facebook. Sometimes we’re so busy trying to capture the moments in our lives that we miss experiencing them fully.

Peter was trying to express his response to an overwhelming experience by suggesting a way to stay in the moment. Lord, it is good for us to be here—here’s a way we can remain here. But being with Jesus is not nearly as much about where we are as about who is with us. Jesus brought those three disciples to that special place on the mountain, but it was special primarily because they were with him. Their real privilege wasn’t just being there; it was being with him the week before and the week after. Their privilege eventually became the same as ours; hearing Jesus say, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20, NKJV).

Getting Personal

How do you remember important spiritual events in your life?

What can you do to keep Jesus more important every day, and not just in your “mountaintop” experiences?

The capacity to remember is a great gift God has given us. We can enjoy, remember, and learn from the unexpected experiences God gives us without falling prey to the error that we must hang on to a moment because God can’t do better or differently. God always has more in store!

Talking to God

Thank the Lord for the priceless gift of unforgettable moments. Ask him to help you enjoy those memories even while you look expectantly for his presence in your life in ordinary moments and ordinary days.