Luke 9:28–36

Be Still: Just relax. God loves you.

Read: Luke 9:28–36

A voice came from the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.’ (v.35)

Encounter: Have you ever climbed a mountain? In long-distant days of UK youth holidays, I managed Helvellyn (3,116 feet) and Ben Nevis (apparently 4413 feet, though we couldn’t see a thing for thick cloud!). 

By contrast, Mount Tabor, which is the traditional site for today’s reading, is relatively modest at 1886 feet. But what a mountaintop! What a life-changing moment! Can you picture it, perhaps placing yourself with the astonished apostles as they see Jesus, shining with glorious light. Peter, James and John are witnesses as heaven meets earth, as Jesus the man is transfigured, and God the Father testifies to His Son. 

Years later, John recalls ‘We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth’ (John 1:14) and Peter echoes ‘we were eyewitnesses of his majesty…’ (2 Peter 1:16). At this mountain-moment in Jesus’ ministry, we see the Old Testament meeting the New as Moses, representing the Jewish Law, and Elijah, representing the prophets, speak with Jesus about his purpose and his coming death and resurrection. (Of course, neither Moses nor Elijah is a stranger to meeting with God on a mountain!)

Apply: Have you ever had a mountaintop experience with God? I hope so! Perhaps it was at a Christian festival, or during a quiet time with God, or maybe even up an actual mountain. Whenever it was, take a moment to recall that time when Jesus seemed particularly close to you, driving doubts and fears far away. And then remember that he is just as close at this very moment, even if it doesn’t feel like a mountaintop day.

Devote: Lord, even if this day is more mundanity than mountaintop, help me to carry that sense of your majesty with me, and to see ‘glimpses of glory’ in everything, and everyone, I meet.