Matthew 17:3-4 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." English Standard Version (ESV)
Today's passage may very well be where the term "mountain top experience" came from. In any case, I'm sure that most, if not all of us, at times in our Christian lives and walk have had that experience of a revelation of sorts that is sealed in our minds and hearts and left an impact on us that will not be remembered. The thing about those times is that we can't camp out there forever, we can't put life on "freeze frame" to get back to it when we want to. We have all learned that life goes on.
The important thing to realize in these moments, whether they be from an experience of a missions trip, youth retreat, a powerful message, or from a time of meditation and study of His Word, is that we "listen to Him", we learn from them, carry the experience and what we've learned with us back down into the real world, our every day lives with the desire and intention to live differently, to live better lives "unto the Lord".
The other thing about these times is that if we make the changes in our lives those experiences can be an encouragement and challenge to us to persevere when we go through the valleys of life.
If you find yourself coming off of one of those experiences remember it, treasure it and praise God for it and if you find yourself in a valley, remember it, treasure it and look for the next one. It may be just around the next bend in the road. We are ever to be "listening".
Matthew 17:3-8
The Message (MSG)
Sunlight Poured from His Face
17 1-3 Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him.
4 Peter broke in, "Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain—one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?"
5 While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: "This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him."
6-8 When the disciples heard it, they fell flat on their faces, scared to death. But Jesus came over and touched them. "Don't be afraid." When they opened their eyes and looked around all they saw was Jesus, only Jesus.
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