No doubt, many of us, have heard the term “mountain top experience.” Even if we’ve never heard that specific phrase, hopefully the experience resonates in our heart. A mountain top experience is a moment when we experience the euphoria of being in the midst of divine greatness, coming face to face with the grandeur and overwhelming might of the Almighty. Any of you who have climbed a mountain peak after hours of hiking, watched a sunset near the ocean’s edge, or been awe-struck at the beauty of nature, know what I am talking about. We also have these moments in meaningful events like running a race after months of training, graduating after years of studying, or perhaps most profoundly, watching the birth of our children into the world. In all these cases, whatever the specifics may be, we are swept away by the extraordinary; transformed by this moment which we happily return to in our heart many times throughout our lives. Mountain top moments, by their very nature are special; they don’t happen every day but just a few of them can sustain us for a lifetime.
Throughout the Bible, when God wants to teach his people something important, he tells them to go up, to get away, to come closer so they can experience a taste of his greatness. Abraham, Moses, Elijah and Noah all encountered God on the heights. In the gospel, Peter, James, and John are just continuing a long tradition! This moment on the mountain, which we call the Transfiguration of Jesus, holds some clues about how God wants to speak to us and why he will be waiting for us to join him at different points of our life on the holy heights. Rather than just reflect on this incredible story as a neat thing Jesus did for three of his apostles, let’s pray about how it might be a pattern that applies to us and our relationship with the Lord.
Jesus invites his friends to come with him and pray. Taking time to pray is a regular part of Jesus’ life and if he made it a daily priority, so should we. It is often in the rhythm of routine prayer that the Lord invites us to come closer to be inspired by his glory. What then, is significant about the mountain? When you climb one, you need to leave everything behind except the essentials. No one wants to be lugging anything more than what is needed; it is hard enough to get ourselves to the top. Even today, going to a mountain is a break from the normal, the cell phone probably won’t work, you are not going to get mail and you are forced to live in the present. It’s not something we do accidentally, we have to put our mind to it. A journey to the top of the mountain with God requires personal sacrifice, patience, and perseverance. Most importantly, it demands a sort of interior hunger to do something more; we can’t just be content. Strictly speaking, it is never necessary to climb a mountain but it is always deeply satisfying.
Mountains, by their nature, thin the crowd. It’s easy to admire one from a distance but to actually go up one, well, that is enjoyed only by the dedicated. Sadly many people will never experience this moment because they are too practical, set in their ways, or feel too“busy” to step out. I am sure the apostles had some of these thoughts rolling around in their minds as they journeyed with Jesus on the narrow, winding path that led to one of Jesus’ favorite outlooks. They were probably wondering if it would be better to stay down below where everyone else was so they could keep teaching, healing, and spreading the Good News. There is a time and a place for these practical thoughts. There is also a time and place to rest with God and let him lead us to his favorite spot for prayer.
When they arrived at the peak of the mountain, how different everything must have looked?! A new view greeted them and their hearts were prepared to see the gift Jesus shared with them. He revealed a hint of his divine glory and the apostles were overwhelmed with awe and holy fear because they were face to face with God. Matthew says a "bright cloud overshadowed them." They were unable to see the surroundings and were at the Lord's mercy. They lost their point of reference and God said out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." We have to give God complete control of our lives. That is what we have to do day in and day out as best we can; this is how we “listen to him.”
At the end of the Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John have a new perspective. When the cloud lifts and God’s voice fades away, what remains, who remains is Jesus and him alone. They have been changed by this experience and it will get them through the terrible moments of the Passion and Death of Christ. This glimpse of divine glory will help them look past the pain and doubt they are experiencing. Our journey up the mountain of prayer also gives us a different outlook. We can glimpse a bigger picture, more than we could ever see on the level ground that comes from living for the things of this world. A mountain top experience changes us because we see God’s glory and sense a tiny piece of what he has in store for all those who listen to him.
One final note. The apostles want to stay on the mountain for a long time. Peter offers to build three tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. When we experience a spiritual high, we often want the same thing; we don’t want it to end. But we are not meant to stay on the peak forever, at least not in this life. Our mountain top experiences are real, they are holy, but they cannot be permanent until we get to heaven. Until that time, they serve to keep us moving towards God, they keep that spiritual hunger alive so we don’t get complacent, lazy, or self-satisfied. They also encourage us when things get tough and monotonous so we never forget that something much better is waiting for us in the next life.
So, if you have had a mountain top moment in your life, cherish it and allow God to bring you back to it so you can be inspired. If you haven’t yet or its been a long time, have faith, spend time with the Lord each day so he can invite you to go with him the next time he goes up the mountain. He still reveals his glory to those with open hearts and he never gets tired of encouraging his friends to catch a glimpse of the heavenly transformation we were made to experience. May Jesus count us among his trusted friends, the blessed ones who share that mountain top experience with him!
