Our scripture this week is Matthew 17:1-9.
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Matthew 17:1-9
Even among His disciples, Jesus has some who are His closest friends. Whenever we hear that Jesus went away with Peter, John and James, we know something important is going to happen. They accompany Him to the mountaintop experience in this week’s scripture, later they will accompany Him to pray away from the others at the Garden of Gethsemane.
These mountaintop experiences are important to the people of Israel. Moses received the Law in a mountaintop experience with God (Exodus 20). Elijah heard God’s voice and saw Him pass by as he hid in a crevice on the mountaintop (1 Kings 19:11). They are important to us because the word of God was given directly to people at these times.
On Mount Sinai God gave us the Ten Commandments, the basis for our relationship with Him. In today’s scripture He speaks to Peter, John and James that they may testify to the truth of Christ. While these are certainly awe inspiring occurrences, God speaks to each of us in many different ways every day. Don’t ignore His voice just because you’re not having a mountaintop experience!
Loving Lord, we miss Your call in our lives because we don’t listen properly. Help us to pay attention, to hear what You ask us to do and not let the noise and distraction of our busy world keep us from Your word. Amen.