Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light… Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Matthew 17: 1, 2, 4, NKJV
Gracious God, here we are once more in Your holy presence. Thank You so much for allowing us to sit and listen, as You speak to our hearts. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
It is good to be able to leave the burdens of the week behind us and go up to the mountain with Jesus. There is something about heights! The air seems fresher. Everything below seems so much smaller. The quietude produces a feeling of sanctity! The voice of God seems so perceptible. All is at rest! It is almost as if you were experiencing heaven! I can appreciate Peter’s excitement.
Add to all that I have just mentioned about heights, the fact that two heavenly visitors have just descended: Moses, and Elijah. Moses, whom God Himself buried (Deuteronomy 34: 5, 6), and obviously resurrected and took to heaven (The Desire of Ages, p. 373). Elijah, translated to heaven, in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2: 11), without experiencing death. And in the midst of all of this, the Savior is transformed before their very eyes. His face is shining “like the sun;” His clothing is as “white as the light.”
Peter, buoyant and bombastic; brave and boastful; always ready to share an opinion, cannot take it any longer! He exclaims: “Lord, it is good for us to be here[!]” The three disciples were actually experiencing the second coming of Jesus, in miniature (The Desire of Ages, p. 373)! Isn’t that what Jesus had told his disciples would happen, not so long ago (Matthew 16: 28)? Here was represented before them, the complete scene of that glorious day when Christ will return to take His faithful children home! Christ, the King of glory; Moses, representing those who will be resurrected when Christ returns, and Elijah, representing those who will be alive, when Jesus returns in glory (The Desire of Ages, p. 373)!
Wonderful things happen in “high places;” upon the mountaintop of our experience! Therefore, my friend, soar high above the small things of life; those things that seek to snatch away the glory that God wants to reveal to you. Do not allow anyone, or anything, to keep you from experiencing “higher ground” in your life!
“I want to scale the utmost heights and catch a gleam of glory bright; But still I’ll pray till heaven I’ve found, “Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”
Refrain: Lord, lift me up, and I shall stand By faith on heaven’s tableland; A higher plane than I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground” (Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, p. 624).