In Luke 9 the disciples have several moving experiences. They went on their first mission trip apart from Jesus. Then they participate in the feeding of the 5,000. Peter declares that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah, which Jesus confirms. These are heady times. The disciples are on top of the world.
Do you remember having these kind of spiritual mountain top experiences? You feel so close to God, and you don't want to go back to life because you are afraid of losing this experience and connection with God.
Then Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to a mountain top to pray. He is transfigured and they here the voice of Moses and Elijah. These two men were known for their mountain top experiences. In response to all he was experiencing Peter makes a suggestion,
Luke 9:33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said." Peter didn't want to leave the mountain, he wanted to stay and dwell in this powerful experience. For Peter, this was as good as it could get. He didn't understand what he was saying.
This passage reminds me of the story of the Israelites journey from slavery toward the promise land. After fleeing Egypt, God’s people have an encounter with God, a mountain top experience. They started to dwell to long on the mountain. “The Lord our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Resume your journey,’” Deuteronomy 1:6-7.
The temptation is to stay, but God commands them to go. Many trials and hardships lay ahead. Then, at the critical moment, when the promised land is within their grasp, they let fear keep themfrom God’s promise. The result is 40 years of wandering in the desert.
Dr. Ellsworth Kalas reflects on this passage by commenting, “Every spiritual biography has its uneven path between victory and defeat, good judgment and stupidity.” Don’t let fear of an uncertain future cause you to miss the abundant life God has for you. It may be time to resume your journey to the promise land today. Are you stuck or are you moving forward?
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