Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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A Sight and Sound Show at the Mountain-top Theater: Enroute to Calvary

Bible Reading: St. Matthew 17:1-18 

Key verse: 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!” (St. Matthew 17: 5)

DEVOTION

Have you ever experienced a 'mountaintop moment' with God? How did that sacred height prepare your heart to walk through the quiet valleys of daily life? Perhaps this happened at a retreat while fellowshipping with other believers, singing during the praise and worship time, or in an undistracted private time in God’s Word. Maybe it was when you were on a mission trip, away from the daily demands and routines of life and you could fully harness your time, efforts, and energy on gospel work as you served others and, most importantly, God. The feeling of exhilaration or spiritual high and being with Jesus is hard to put into words. These moments define us, sustain us, and provide us with the encouragement we need when we go back down the mountain.
In this Bible passage, Peter, James, and John jointly shared a mountaintop experience with their Lord before Jesus journeyed toward the cross. They had a first-row, front and center preview and an astounding view of the unveiled glory of Christ. With all the “sight and sound” theater effects, they saw a blazing light and heard the booming voice of God the Father in heaven with a personal exhortation to these disciples who formed Jesus’s inner circle. God brought the great transfiguring glory of Christ into the little faith and limited understanding of these tired and sleepy disciples. To top all of this, just then, two other men appeared and talked with Jesus. The disciples identified them as Moses and Elijah. Peter, watching this and really unsure how to respond, offers to put up tents. God’s very mighty voice interrupted Peter’s suggestion as a bright cloud overshadowed them. Despite experiencing this heavenly light and splendor the disciples fell on their faces in response and terror to what they heard and witnessed. In humility, awe, shaken and surprised, Peter, James, and John followed their Teacher and went down the mountain the very next morning.
The narrative shifts dramatically in the middle of this Bible portion from a mountain of glory to a valley of despair. A desperate father brought his son who was tormented by a demon and endured seizures. Jesus instantly heals the boy. The disciples treasured the truth they received on the mountain and carried it into reality and the real needs awaiting them upon their descent. May our intimate experiences with Jesus equip us to take the glory of Christ to a world sick with sin. God meets us in transcendent encounters and moments of our lives to prepare us to endure the trials of the world below. For some of us this could be through blinding lights on a hilltop, or they happen in the ordinary moments in our work cubicles, classrooms, community kitchens, church retreats, courtrooms, coffee shops, cars stuck in traffic, or wherever we make space for God. As the words of the song reminds us: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”

 

PRAYER

God of Transfiguration, we adore Your dazzling brilliance, and You are radiantly splendid. Forgive us for trusting You only on the mountaintop and not in the valley. Kindly awaken and warm our dull and weak hearts to the truth of who You are! Father, reveal to us Your steady hand and unfailing power as we navigate through the steps and slopes, peaks and points of everyday life. As we continue to walk the winding paths and journey through the different heights and depths that life calls us to, enable us to always believe that You are the God of the hills and the valleys. In Jesus’ glorious name we pray. Amen.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Whether we bask in Christ’s glory on the mountaintop or cling to His grace in the shadowed valley, Jesus remains worthy of our trust.


Mrs. Neethi Prasad
neethiprasad@gmail.com
(wife of Rev. Christopher P. Daniel, Diocesan Program Manager and Vicar of Jerusalem MTC, Connecticut)

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