"You Can't Live on the Mountaintop" August 2 Readings: Matthew 17:1-21, Mark 9:2-29, Luke 9:28-42

 

Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2022

This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened." Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but I have divided it so that we will spend half the year in the OT, and half the year in the NT. 

Bible Readings:  Matthew 17:1-21, Mark 9:2-29, Luke 9:28-42  

Background:   

Today's reading, about the Transfiguration, is another key moment. We are not told here exactly what happened, but it is a time of deep communion between the Father and the Son, but it is clearly a miraculous communion between Father, Son, and the others involved. It seems that from this point on the focus of Jesus turns more and more to his upcoming death and resurrection. 

Daily Devotional: You Can't Live on the Mountaintop

Peter was having the time of his life. He had been part of a small group (with the brothers James and John) who were invited to join Jesus on the mountaintop. They must have been excited for this time with Jesus away from the crowds and from the other disciples. But then something amazing happened. Jesus' appearance was transformed (transfigured) and he stood there in dazzling white robes. Standing with him were two other figures, who were Elijah and Moses, two of the great heroes of Israel's history. 

Peter, we are told in Mark 9:6m had no idea what to say. Unfortunately, that did not stop him from talking. He said, 

“Rabbi, it’s good for us to be here! Let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

There was nothing malicious in his statement. But it was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to him and he did not want the moment to end. "Hey, teacher, why don't you let me build a dwelling for each of you and we can just live here forever and ever!" He wanted to dwell on the mountaintop in the presence of the glorified Christ.

But that is not the way it works. To be in God's presence in worship, in Bible study, and in prayer is a wonderful thing. But you cannot stay on the mountaintop forever, at least not until as long as you are on the earth. The Father himself rebuked Peter for his idea.

This is My beloved Son; listen to Him!

What a great rebuke. "Stop talking, Peter. Listen to my Son!" But there was a point behind the words. Peter, you cannot live life on the mountain. Down in the valley, there is work to be done, battles to be fought. There are people in need of Christ, lives broken by sin, and oppression given by the enemy. It is great to go up on the mountain and enjoy worship, but the battle is not won there. We must descend the mountain and engage the enemy. 

I love experiencing the mountaintops, those times when God's presence is manifest and plain. But we cannot live seeking mountaintop after mountaintop. We enjoy those experiences and gain strength from them, then we head down the hill to fight the good fight of faith in the name of our Savior. 

Father, thank you for those moments on the mountain when you seem so near, when worship is sweet and joy bubbles over. But help me to descend the mountain in power and faith to engage the enemy and serve the interests of your kingdom. 

Consider God's Word:

Do you try to live from mountaintop to mountaintop, from conference to conference?
Think and consider the keys to living moment by moment, in the routine of life, for the glory of God.