Below is an excerpt from my book Prayer in Motion: Connecting with God in Fidgety Times.
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. (Mark 9:2-9)
This story about Jesus is in three of the four Gospels in the New Testament, and even has its own special name: the transfiguration. It begins with Jesus taking only three of the twelve disciples up a high mountain (maybe the other nine couldn’t afford the retreat registration fee). He doesn’t seem to let on about what this little side trip is about, but they find out in short order when Jesus’ appearance undergoes a dramatic physical change; a brilliant vision of white and light overtaking what was there before. And if that wasn’t enough, two of the great prophets of Israel’s history, Moses and Elijah, appear with him.
This display might be amazing, but for the three disciples it is also terrifying. In his fear, Peter manages to stutter out a suggestion that he and his friends construct three dwellings for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. As if to help indicate that this is the wrong take on the situation, a cloud descends on the entire scene, out of which the divine voice speaks: “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!”
More than once in the Bible, people have incredible experiences of God on mountains. Moses and Elijah are included in that group among others. These accounts have helped inspire the term “mountaintop experience,” meant to describe a special moment where one has a revelation of some kind that lends great clarity and direction to one’s life. These don’t often happen on mountains in actuality, but are impactful enough and, for people of faith, inspired by God.
For Peter and the others, the impact of this moment is evident in his stated desire to mark it for prosperity through the building of dwellings. What better way to commemorate a life-changing experience than to erect some sort of permanent structure? This way, these three along with the others who couldn’t make the trip could return to this spot whenever they wish to pray, reflect, and maybe seek a whole new mountaintop experience. Whenever they have some free time, they can take a day or more to seek retreat and respite in this sacred place.
But as the voice in this story indicates, setting aside this little piece of geography for future getaways isn’t the point. The takeaway of this mountaintop experience is clear: “this is my Son…listen to him!” Then they depart, heading back the way they came, away from the peak and back to the base where most of their time would be spent among the area villages and its people, its hustle and bustle, its commerce, its demands, its needs.
Even as they returned to the busyness of travel and interaction, they were to listen to Jesus. It would have been much easier to stay on the irenic setting of the mountain. They wouldn’t have had as many distractions or responsibilities or interruptions and could have heard everything Jesus wanted to tell them unhindered. But the mountaintop is not where most of life is lived, and it is not the only place where God is speaking. If it was, then only a select few would ever have the opportunity to hear the voice speak.
Mountaintop experiences are wonderful, and when they come they can be life-altering. But those experiences aren’t just reserved for times and places set aside solely for special listening. God is speaking where we live our lives, and cultivating ways within ourselves to listen at home, at work, and wherever else our daily schedules take us is more important than saving up time and money to get away from it for a while, because God is just as concerned with that everyday struggle as we are.
Prayer in Motion: Connecting with God in Fidgety Times is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Jeffrey A. Nelson 