Come down from the mountain…

Once in a while, we participate in something so incredible that we don’t ever want to leave the moment. I can think back over the course of my life and recall many concerts, rallies and conferences where I felt the Spirit of Jesus so strongly that I just didn’t want it to end. I’ve called those moments “mountain top” experiences.That expression comes from the episode found in the books of Matthew (17:1-13), Mark (2-13) and Luke (9:28-36) commonly known as the Transfiguration of Jesus. In this episode of the Gospels, Jesus invites Peter, James and John to walk with Him up a mountain to pray and as they reach the top, Jesus’ face begins to change and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning! At one point, two witnesses appear with Jesus to confirm the experience as a reality of truth. Peter is so overwhelmed by the whole thing that he wants to build shelters and remain at the top of the mountain. I like the way Luke writes that part of the story, “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.)” The parenthetical statement is actually included in the accounts of both Luke and Mark. Peter really didn’t want to leave the place where he saw Jesus do something awesome and I totally get that! Once you’ve actually witnessed the presence of Jesus, you don’t want it to leave. But… we all must come down from the mountain. You see, those experiences are the fuel that keep us going once we reach the bottom of the mountain and the reality of the valley. It’s in the valley where the reality of belief is enacted. So today, two days after Sunday church and the mountain top experience of being together with God’s family where His presence is felt, remember that the presence of Jesus goes with you everywhere. He is in you and will give you the strength you need to get to the next mountain top!

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