“Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, ‘Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.’” Matthew 17:9
“For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty… And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.” 2 Peter 1:16, 18
Tune In
Have you ever witnessed an event that you were not allowed to talk about? Something that you were not permitted to tell ANYONE, until a certain designated event had taken place? An event that you figured no one would believe even if you DID tell it?
This was the situation for Peter. He had been with Jesus when Jesus was transfigured from a man into divinity—face shining like the sun and clothing as white as the light (Matthew 17:2)—before his very eyes, and he was not permitted to share it until after Jesus had risen from the dead.
I can only imagine Peter’s face: eyes fixed on this surreal scene, hardly breathing, heart pounding. He would remember every detail, every feature of landscape, every utterance, for the rest of his life. It surely changed everything for him.
What if Peter, not knowing why he had been asked to attend this little mountainside meeting, brought a magazine along to pass the time while Jesus tended to business? What if his eyes were diverted to a squirrel running around a nearby bush? What if he decided to take a little nap?
He would have missed seeing Jesus transfigured. Missed seeing the faces of Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:3). Missed whatever it was they were saying to one another.
Peter suddenly had the bright idea to build three tabernacles right on the spot. He missed the whole point. God stepped into the meeting, covered by a cloud. “This is My Son! Listen to Him!” Peter became afraid, and fell on his face. Next thing he knew, the meeting was over, and Jesus touched him and said, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.”
We aren’t told exactly why Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on the mountain with Him, but we can be certain that no experience with Him is wasted. Later on, in their individual ministries, the experience of witnessing His majesty convinced them Jesus was God’s Son, and it became the reason they could face unbelievers and share the gospel. They knew it was no fable—they’d seen it with their own eyes.
I can guarantee you that the things Jesus is saying and doing in and around you will be useful to you, and may even change the direction of your life! Tune in.
“Lord, who are we that You would want to spend time with us? And yet You do. Hallelujah!”