David Yarbrough
Luke 9:33 (CSB)
As they were leaving, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it's good for us to be here. Let's set up three shelters: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" — not knowing what he was saying.
One of the reasons we enjoy vacations is because of the opportunity to temporarily escape the responsibilities and routines of home, and immerse ourselves in the beauty and freedom of a new environment. However, if we were to remain in these idyllic locations, they too would eventually become "home," complete with its own set of responsibilities and challenges. Similarly, in our spiritual lives, we might encounter profound moments of connection with God, experiencing His presence and love in a tangible way. These mountaintop experiences can be awe-inspiring, filling our hearts with renewed faith, strength, and a sense of purpose.
Yet, just as with our vacations, these mountaintop moments are not designed to be permanent residences. Instead, they serve as spiritual refreshment, enabling us to forge ahead with renewed vigor through the wilderness of this world, where we often face trials and tribulations. It is through the wilderness that we grow, mature, and ultimately develop a deeper, more intimate relationship with God.
In Luke 9:33, we see Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, expressing the sentiment of wanting to stay on the mountaintop and build worship shrines for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. However, Peter's suggestion demonstrates his misunderstanding of the moment and the true nature of Jesus' mission. By proposing to build these shelters, Peter was inadvertently putting Jesus on the same level as Moses and Elijah, rather than acknowledging Him as God.
Jesus came to fulfill a much greater purpose than simply staying on the mountaintop as He stated in Luke 4:18–19, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” God's plan was for Him to descend into the valley, to set the captives free by ultimately going to the cross to offer salvation to all who would believe in Him. This moment on the mountain was not an end in itself, but rather, a revelation of Jesus' true identity as King of the Kingdom of God.
As believers, we often yearn for those mountaintop experiences, those moments of spiritual insight and closeness with God. And while these experiences can be powerful and transformative, they are not meant to be the end goal of our faith journey. The mountaintop is a good place to leave, for it is in the journey through the wilderness that we find our true Kingdom purpose.
So, let us not cling too tightly to those mountaintop experiences. Instead, let us cherish them as revelations of God's presence and love, and then step forward into the wilderness, ready to serve and share the good news of Jesus with others. For it is in the wilderness that we truly come to know the heart of God and experience the fullness of His Kingdom here on earth.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing Your Son, Jesus, to us and for the mountaintop experiences that deepen our understanding of Your love and grace. As we leave these moments, guide us into the valleys of life where we can serve others and share Your message of salvation. Strengthen our faith and equip us to be Your hands and feet, fulfilling Your Kingdom purposes with unwavering devotion. Amen.