What Goes Up, Must Come Down

Elder Bill Van Nostran, Seminary Intern

The Transfiguration story, found in Matthew Chapter 17, is appropriately entitled: The True Glory of Jesus. For Christ appears in all His majesty, in the company of two Old Testament prophets, and in the presence of God Almighty. And, the blessed event is witnessed by Peter, James and John; three of His closest friends.

From the dialogue between Jesus and His disciples, it is clear that the men do not understand the miracle. I too read the scriptures in awe. However, like the apostles, I am at a loss as to how exactly to explain everything about the mystery, the wonder, and the brilliance. Perhaps, some mountain top comparisons will help.

Intellectually, it is so gratifying for me to recount the story in today’s Gospel because it clearly demonstrates the unity of the Bible in its entirety. Each of these great prophets has a significant mountain top experience, each experience is accompanied by a mysterious and brilliant light, and each experience results in the identification of who God is.

The first time that Moses ascended Mt. Sinai, he spoke with God in the clouds and fire on behalf of the wandering children of Israel. And when he returned with the stone tablets, his face shone with the glow of one who had been exposed to the brilliance of God. Unfortunately, Moses was away on the mountain for a lengthy amount of time. No longer frightening, the lightening on the mountain and the thunder of God’s voice had become too familiar, and the people had become too impatient, collecting jewelry and fashioning it into the likeness of a golden calf. Moses broke the calf and the tablets, convincingly reminding the people that it was the one, true God which brought them out of slavery. Later, Moses returned to his mountain to receive God’s law in the clouds of fire.

On Mt. Carmel, Elijah proved to King Ahab that the God of Israel was One and deserving of all worship. Two stone altars were constructed and an offering was prepared upon each. First, Elijah challenged all the king’s sorcerers and all the king’s men to pray to the Baals to light the fire for their sacrifice. And, when there was no answer, Elijah asked the attendants to pour four large jars of water over his offering. Three times they drenched his sacrifice until the run-off completely filled a trench that surrounded his altar. And then, in answer to Elijah’s prayer, a great fire came–a conflagration so intense that the offering and altar were completely consumed along with every drop of moisture. Later, Elijah returned to his mountain to receive God’s prophecy in the sound of silence.

On the mountain featured in today’s lesson, which most sources say was Mt. Hermon, the Old Covenant messengers, representing the Law and the Prophets appear together with the courier of the New Covenant metemorfwqh, in the original Greek: "with changed forms." It is only fitting that these two great, patriarchs should stand with Jesus, for in Deuteronomy 18:15 Moses says, "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own...," and in Malachi 4:5 God promises, "I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great day of the Lord comes." Symbolically, the Law and the Prophets are fulfilled and the mantle is passed. And, in case there is any question about which of the three is the Lamb of salvation, the Almighty voice from the heavens proclaims, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him."

Well, I promised you a survey of the biblical comparisons, I mentioned all of the major players, and I know what you are thinking, God just doesn’t appear in such dramatic fashion anymore. In fact, those old stories seem to get more fantastic each and every time they are retold. What advice can we take from this miracle that makes sense for our lives today?

Emotionally, I am also struck with Christ's insistence that they not only go up the mountain, but also that they come down. Whereas, God's love is very evident in that peak experience; for me, the true glory of God is demonstrated through God’s undying love where it is not quite so obvious: in the valley below.

What is a mountain top experience? Well, as I hope you can see, it is certainly lofty. It is safe and warm. There is lots of light. Everything is peaceful. The pain of everyday living seems miles away. I can see so far that I can almost look into Heaven. I can clearly hear the voice of the Almighty telling each of my closest friends how proud God is that I am God’s child. I don't know about you, but whenever I have been taken to that place, where time seems to stand still, I never want to leave. Let me tell you about one of my mountain top experiences.

A couple of summers ago, I took six of my Senior High youths, and my pop-up tent trailer to the Jesus Northwest festival. The concerts we attended and the speakers we listened to were very informative and encouraging. The kids and I talked about life, about God, and our plans for both, while we were at the County Fairgrounds.

A great number of teens and leaders were touched one evening at worship, by the inspirational sermon given by Miles McPherson, a former San Diego Charger, who gave up the "good life"; not because of injury, age, or poor performance. It was obvious, Mr. McPherson gave up professional football to bring the word of God to young people. Miles closed his address that night with an invitation, for those on the brink of a decision that would change their lives, and to those who wished to reaffirm their commitment to Christ, to come and pray with him.

I remember thinking to myself how special this could be, and I bowed and prayed that there would be teenagers motivated to answer Miles--and welcome Jesus. Then, when the music began, I raised my head and opened my eyes and, to my surprise--my kids were gone! I frantically scanned the crowd--my mind was racing. You’d think, by now, I’d know better than to pray with my eyes closed! My first thought was one of disappointment at their missed opportunity. What would I say to those devious teenagers? My second thought was that of embarrassment. Unquestionably, the cardinal sin in Youth Ministry is to lose track of the kids. How could I explain this sudden disappearance to their parents!

I continued in a panic, until I stopped and realized--the only movement in the crowd was towards Miles. There really was no other easy way out of the field area where we were standing. Could they have gone with him to pray? Was one of them brave enough to take the first step for all of them? Sure enough, that is where I found the six of them: arm in arm, praying for one another and pledging their lives to Christ. Praise God (sigh), and I also mean Praise God!

And, I imagine that I received much the same response to my question, that Mary and Joseph must have gotten when they returned to the Temple in search of their young Son, "Du-uh... where’d you think we’d be?"

I readily count this among my mountain top experiences. A number of my good friends were there. It was warm and comfortable. The hassles of our busy work and school worlds were far from our minds. And yet, we could not stay. It was going to be difficult to return to our everyday lives, but one thing was certain--we would not be able to go back quite the same!

Peter must have understood exactly, the way that we felt. It was good that he and his friends were there in that holy place. He did not want to leave that mountain top either. It was much easier to hold onto the vision, to be faithful to the truth, and to trust in the promise of salvation, up on the mountain. In fact, Peter suggests that, with proper lodging, they might remain there, in the presence of God–maybe, indefinitely.

And yet, we are all disappointed to hear the Lord say, "Nope. Sorry. You can't build your tents here. I did not create you for the mountain top alone. I called you to bring my message to the people in the valley. I want you to tell them about me--speak to them about the mountain after I am gone."

Uuuh--the valley! Our world is SO busy. It's noisy, not peaceful, and rather than bright, it can often times be overcast and gray. There are so many distractions and temptations. Everyone wants a piece of our attention, and when they cannot attract it (or when we fail to give it), they force their way into our lane, they cut in front of us in line, and get right in our face. And they often will not stop until all our energy is totally exhausted. That’s not how I remember the time we had on the mountain.

It is such a struggle to get ahead. We cannot look for tomorrow; we can barely see what today holds. But, this is where we live. We know God is calling, and that He has something significant and wonderful in mind for us. I just wish He would speak a little louder sometimes... like He did on the mountain.

Peter's world couldn't have been much to look forward to, after all, he was on the road a lot. I mean, really "on the road." They walked from place to place. The apostles lived off the land and hand-outs, and they ate and slept on the ground. Even when they had jobs and families, life was very hard. Not at all like the mountain.

Is your world any different than mine, or is it any brighter than Peter's? How long has it been since your last mountain top experience? How long since you were given a little glimpse of Heaven? Because you are here and not there today, my guess is God told you not to put up a permanent tent. Am I right?

But, our hope is in the Lord. Jesus is always with us, no matter where we are. He will never refuse or ignore His children. Each one of us is so special to Him. I would like to conclude by paraphrasing a reminder from David, found in Psalm 23:

I may walk through valleys, as dark as death, but I will not be afraid.
You are with me and your shepherd's rod makes me feel safe...
...Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life,
and I will live forever in your house, Lord. 

AMEN.

10 November 2002