Puzzling isn’t it? For me at least. Why Peter, James, and John? How did they recognize Elijah and Moses? Why didn’t Jesus want them to say anything until after he rose from the dead? Was John the reincarnation of Elijah? Elijah had never died so how could he be born again?
This event is recorded in two other Gospels and in the epistle of 2 Peter. (Mark 9:2–8, Luke 9:28–36, and 2 Peter 1:16–18). What is your take away from the account? It was surely an honor to be called by Jesus to accompany him up the mountain. Could it be his last words from yesterday’s reading have now come true?
I like the words of a commentary by Robert H. Smith. “For one shining moment his present vulnerability was swallowed up by the brilliance of his coming majesty.” Powerful image! Jesus had taken his friends up the mountain to share something special. It has been a common theme throughout Scripture that holy encounters happen on the mountaintop. You’ll remember Moses met God there, too. His face shown with the light of God’s glory as well.
We would do good not to dwell on the questions that started the reflection above. This was an experience Jesus wanted these particular followers to have. As leaders, they needed to hear God’s voice. We’ve seen how the disciples have had a hard time believing and understanding. The answer from God was simply to “Listen to him.” God revealed himself at Jesus baptism with a similar message of how pleased he was with Jesus, his Son.
I think I would hit the ground, too, if I heard God’s voice loud and clear like that. The whole experience would seem to be like a dream. Nothing like that has ever happened to me, has it happened to you? Many have said to me over the years, I heard God speaking to me. I can’t say the same. I long to hear his voice. Instead, I feel his prompting, his directing. I have gratefulness for all the blessings in my life. I know where they come from.
Take time today to spend quietly thinking through your own mountaintop experiences. When have you felt God on an intimate level? Was it at a conference, during a moving time of worship, reading the Bible, hiking in the mountains, sitting on a beach?
Let’s pray. Lord, I want to hear your voice and know without a doubt that it is you and not my imagination. Thank you for the direction you give me and the opportunities you give me each day. May I recognize the God appointments you have made for me and show up with enthusiasm and grace. Give me the wisdom to know the difference between your voice, my own desires, and those of an outside force trying to deceive me. Surround me with your angels today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
