What's Up On That Mountain

Our recording for the evening message was lost, so I decided to just write a short blog about it.  I would like to give you three things that we discussed about this topic: Mountain Top Experiences.

Matthew 17:1-8
1  And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 
2  And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 
3  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 
4  Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 
5  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 
6  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 
7  And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 
8  And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. 

First of all, we notice who was it was that was blessed to have this experience.  The disciples who closely followed Jesus, Peter, James, and John.  They had Jesus Christ as their Master and followed Him where ever He went.  They were further used by our Lord to turn their world upside down.

Second, we see what they went through to have the mountain top experience.  They had to allow themselves to be separated from the group.  They were certainly separate from the world.  Similarly, when we allow ourselves to be separated from the world as God commands in Romans 12:1,2 He will have some great mountain top experiences in store for us as well.  The disciples also had to endure the difficulty of climbing up into a high mountain.  I'm sure that this was physically demanding of them.  As followers of Christ, we can guarantee that the road will not always be easy, but we know that the Lord will guide us through the hard times and that there may be a mountain top just ahead!  John 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Finally I want you to see Who the focus of the mountain top experience was, and Who should be the focus of every such experience in our lives.  In the transfigured Christ, He was the focus.  He was the one Who shone with a great light!  Moses and Elias were there, but they were not the focus of the brightness.  Then God spoke.  He did not address the disciples or the other two heavenly bodies.  He only spoke of His pleasure in His Son!  Last of all, verse 8 shows us the when the disciples "lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only."  The experience brought their focus to Christ.  This also should be our focus as we go through our everyday lives.  Look to Christ in the good times, not just in the trials and difficulties.  

Thanks for reading,
In Christ,
Bro. Tim Smallwood
www.brotim.weebly.com