THE THOUGHT TODAY

10/12/09
Down From the Mountain (To the Plain of Life)
Matthew 17: 1-8

Have you ever had a moment in time when you felt such elation and joy that you felt literally “out of
this world”? It is a moment in time that you wish will never end and you seek to savor and prolong its
sweetness forever. The Gospel of Matthew (also Mark and Luke) tells us of one such experience in the
lives of Jesus and three of his closest disciples.

Jesus had taken them with him up to a mountain of meditation as he prepared for the fulfillment of his
life's mission and purpose. As he was transfigured in their presence, he was joined on the mount by
Moses and Elijah. Peter, with his usual “quick to act” manner, suggested that they build lasting
tabernacles to Jesus, Moses and Elijah as a way of preserving this moment forever. The spell was
broken when a bright cloud overshadowed them and a voice from the cloud declared “This is my
Beloved son in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye him”.

The disciples were so overwhelmed by the moment that they fell to the ground in fear. Jesus then came
to them, touched them and said to them, reassuringly, “ Arise. Be not afraid.” Wow! What do you do
after such an experience? You can't keep this a secret. The whole world must know of this amazing
event. Can you imagine their consternation and confusion when Jesus warned them not to tell anyone of
their mountaintop experience?

The disciples followed their leader down from the mountain to the plain of life.

With dramatic speed, this man who wished to remain forever on the mountaintop, came face to face
with the realities of discipleship. From his denial of Jesus at Jerusalem, to a cross at Golgotha, to a
fishing trip on the Sea of Galilee, to the “broken dream” of a crucified Lord, Peter asked the question.
“What's next on the journey of life on the plain?”

For Peter, the answer and a call on the plain came swiftly with one question asked three times1. “Do
you love me?” When he answered yes, the demands were made - “Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep.
Feed my sheep.” His answer “yes” was the beginning of his healing and restoration, an end to the
fractured brokenness and the making of a human rock on which an eternal faith was laid.

How many of us have felt, in our own ways, the elation of our mountaintops from which we could see
forever with clarity? The reality and test of our lives and us, however, is the quality of our walk on the
plain of life.

I trust that you and I, like Peter, will bring and carry the promise and the sustaining power of the
mountaintop down to the daily plains of our lives

Today

Ashley R Cain
(As you care, share The Thought Today)

1 John 21: 15-17