A Vision On a Mountaintop

“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

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. ” (Matthew 17:1-4)

Peter, James, and John would be the disciples who had the most impact on the church in the future, with James taking primary responsibility for the church at Jerusalem and James and John traveling to the local churches to teach and encourage them, as we see in Acts 8.  Jesus took all three to the Mount of transfiguration, where he was transfigured, taking on some of his heavenly glory while retaining his human form.  Two of Israel’s most respected historical figures, Moses and Elijah appeared, talking with Jesus, confirming again that he was the Messiah.

Excited by what was happening, Peter suggested they build a place for each of them to stay so that they could continue to have the experience.  Throughout history, after a profound emotional experience such as this, groups have established conference grounds or meetings to try to carry on the emotional impact, much as Peter suggested. 

“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.  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.  And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.  And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.” (Matthew 17:5-9)

God spoke from heaven, declaring that Jesus was his son, just as he had done at Jesus’ baptism.  He stressed that they needed to focus on Jesus Christ and his teachings, rather than on their experiences or feelings.   Hearing God’s voice frightened the disciples, but Jesus told them they had nothing to fear.   When they looked around, God had taken away the things that had so excited them.  The vision had been given to drive home more fully that Jesus was truly God’s son and the Messiah, a Jesus told them they were not share it with anyone until after he was resurrected from the dead. 

This command made no sense to disciples because for centuries the Jews had known that the prophecies said Elijah would come before Messiah took action, and they had just seen Elijah.  They questioned Jesus about this in Matthew 17:10-13.  “And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.  But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.  Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.”   Jesus explained that the prophecy was true, but that it was not talking about Elijah himself, but about one who would be like him, trying to turn the people’s hearts toward God and that the prophecy had already been fulfilled.  The disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist, and that their vision of Elijah talking to Jesus had nothing to do with fulfilling the prophecy. 

Efforts to regain the emotional high resulting from the vision would have prevented them from getting the spiritual message god intended.  Unfortunately, many today become so caught up in the emotional impact they miss the spiritual lessons to be learned from such experiences.  The mountain top experience is only to prepare us for living in the valley.  We cannot please God trying to live on the mountain top.

Later both Peter and John would mention having personally heard God declare Jesus to be his son.