“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 17:4).
TEXT — Matthew 17:1-13
Message
According to Wikipedia, a mountain is an elevated portion of the earth’s crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. High elevations on mountains produce colder climates than at sea level at similar latitudes. These colder climates strongly affect the ecosystems of mountains.
In today’s text, Jesus took Peter, James and John to the mountaintop, where he was transfigured before them. A cloud covered Jesus and when the disciples looked up, they saw Moses and Elijah standing beside him. A voice came from God in heaven confirming Christ as His only begotten Son. Peter wanted them to remain on the mountaintop, building three tabernacles for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, but what he said was not the mind of God for the hour (Luke 9:33). They soon returned to attend to the case of the epileptic boy.
Peter’s suggestion reflects the thoughts of some believers today. Whenever they attend retreats or camp meetings with fellow believers, they seem glad and satisfied, since they are temporarily separated from the world and its corrupting influences. They must however, understand that the mountaintop is not for habitation, but for reviving. Moses, Elijah and Jesus in our text all went to the mountain to pray at different times and dispensations, but they never remained there. They always came back to continue their ministries.
Irrespective of how exhilarating our experience of prayer and consecration on the mountaintop may be, it is still necessary to come down so we can attend to the numerous challenges that await us.
Thought for the day
Never make mountaintop experience an escape from ministry in the valley
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
Wonderful insight. God be praised.
Retreat ,set apart to regain strength (Reviver)
Is for more work , ministry,