LESSONS FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP
Mark 9:2-9
INTRODUCTION
Well, if you have your Bibles — turn with me to Mark 9. It’s there that Mark (an associate of the apostle Peter), tells us a story about Jesus. In fact, this is one of the most significant stories in all the BIBLE. It’s one of those stories that shows up in several places in the New Testament — revealing the importance of it.
It’s here, in this story that Jesus reveals His identity and defines His greatness to 3 of His closest friends. It’s a story we often refer to as The Transfiguration.
And it just happens to take place — on a mountain top!
Mountains are such curious things. Did you know, the Bible mentions mountains over 570 times.
Now, I know y’all live here by the water, so I’m guessing most of your are beach people.
And why wouldn’t you be? This coastal area is so beautiful. Within about 10 minutes you can be on the sand or soaking in the sun, listening to the waves crash against the shore. It’s amazing here. And I bet it was the water and the sand and the sun that brought some of you to this area.
But, as much as you may love the coast — I love the mountains.
I think I’ve always been a mountain guy. Even as a young boy. I grew up in South Florida, near the beach and the sand. I grew up collecting shells and sand-dollars, and going deep-sea fishing. But…there was something about the mountains that always intrigued me.
Every year (as a boy) my family would escape the heat of South Florida and head for the cool air of the Smokey Mountains. We vacationed there (every summer). When I was 7 or 8, my dad bought several acres on the top of a mountain and built a beautiful cabin there for our family.
And, I have so many memories from that place. One of my favorite things to do was hiking in the woods. I would get up in the morning — and play outside until dark. I remember picking wild berries and splashing in the streams. Some days I’d fish the river, or tube down Deep Creek. When evening came, I would collect lightning bugs in a mason jar. And go to bed…dreaming about doing it all over again. I just love the mountains!
So, the mountains have a special place in my heart and mind.
But one thing I learned early on — was that Mountain Tops are important— but that’s not where we live. We went to the mountains to rest and retreat — to find inspiration, and encouragement. But we didn’t live there. We lived in Florida…but those mountain top moments seemed to charge us up for living our lives down below.
And that’s one of the lessons we learn in the story found in Mark 9. Mountain top moments prepare us for life down below.
So, if you’ve got your Bibles — turn the with me. Mark chapter 9.
TRANSITION
Follow along as I read. Beginning in verse 2, Mark writes…
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) 7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” 8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Mark 9:2-9
Wow, what a story!
Jesus was transfigured before them. CHANGED! That’s a special word — it’s actually the word from which we get our scientific word “metamorphosis.”
Do you remember that word from your middle-school science class? A metamorphosis is that change that caterpillars go through as they transform into butterflies. It’s that change in their being that reveals something MORE! And that’s what happens here to Jesus. He reveals something MORE!
In Philippians 2, the Apostle Paul reminds us that this wasn’t the first time Jesus transformed. In fact, when He came from Heaven to Earth, He transformed into human form. As Paul put it:
6(Jesus), Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
So, Jesus, WHO IS GOD — first transformed himself into the form of a man. But then on that mountain top, He was transformed again, revealing His true identity…showing them that He was God in flesh…(100% God — 100% man). Or as the 4th century Nicene Creed puts it:
HE IS…“God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father.”
That’s who He is. Jesus is fully God! .
And they needed to know that…because Jesus was about to leave them and head to the cross. And His death would shake them up…but they would be able to look back upon this moment — this mountain top moment and remember the LESSONS Jesus taught them. They needed the MOUNTAIN TOP MOMENT…and so do we!
MESSAGE
So, in the time that remains, I want to give you three lessons that we find in this story — to help you live well! To help youwalk in victory when life gets hard. And the first one is this: Like these disciples…we must GET ALONE WITH GOD!
1. We Must…GET ALONE WITH GOD.
Notice again…in verse 2, Mark tells us,
2 “…Jesus took (them)…with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone.”
Jesus took them to a place without distractions. A place, where they could be alone with Him.
Most of the places they went were crowded with people. Most of the places they went filled with busyness and stress and serving others. But Jesus knew that you can only pour out what has first been poured in.
And the way we refill our lives is by GETTING ALONE WITH GOD!
And that’s what happened on that mountain top. Understand — the time we spend alone with God has the potential to change our lives. When Luke writes about this…He describes their ALONE TIME as PRAYER TIME. He says they went up the mountain “to pray.”
- Now we don’t know exactly which MOUNTAIN this was — but it was probably Mt. Hermon. A mountain that stands 9,000 feet above sea level. That’s pretty high.
- My point is that Jesus was serious about GETTING AWAY…eliminating the distractions…and finding time to BE ALONE with them.
- I think this is pretty helpful for us today. Because — if you life is anything like mine, it’s filled with busyness. From the time I get up in the morning until the time I go to bed at night, my life is SO BUSY! Can you relate?
- I get up early. I leave my house by 6:45am. I get to my office about 8:45am and hit the ground running. And most days Lori and I don’t get home until about 7pm at night. And if I’m not careful — I can run and run and run until my life and energy runs low.
- Like these disciples — we have to be intentional about making time to GET ALONE WITH GOD. But when we do — He will meet with us! And that’s really the point of prayer. TO BE WITH GOD. It’s about DRAWING CLOSE to Him.
- It’s really not about UNLOADING ALL OUR WISHES AND WORDS ON HIM (although that’s a part of it), but PRAYER is more about JUST BEING WITH HIM.
So, when life gets hard and the valley gets deep — MAKE TIME TO GET ALONE WITH GOD.
I challenge you to TRY TO DO THAT THIS WEEK! Make time on your lunch break and GET ALONE WITH HIM. Maybe you could take a walk on the beach. Or find a park bench to sit and pray. Or maybe on your commute to the office — turn off the NEWS and the RADIO and invite God’s presence to join you — and fill your car…and your life.
As James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you!” That’s a promise.
I don’t care how you do it — just do it! GET ALONE WITH GOD!
Well, the second lesson we gain from this story is that we must learn to: LISTEN FOR GOD’S VOICE!
2. We Must…LISTEN FOR GOD’S VOICE.
Talking to God is important —but LISTENING TO HIM is even more important. Because we learn more when we listen than we do when we talk. Even so, if I’m honest, this is one of my greatest struggles. Because…I’m a talker. That comes naturally for me. But I’m not so good at listening. (Can you relate?)
Well, if so — you’re in pretty good company. Because Peter was a lot like that. He was ALWAYS TALKING and RARELY LISTENING. But…When our mouths are full of our own words, our ears are usually closed to God’s Words.
That’s what happened on this mountain top. When Peter got a glimpse of God’s glory, he said…
5 “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters —
one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
Mark says, “Peter really didn’t know what to say.” Ever been there?
Well, God quickly got his attention — and silenced Peter by redirecting his focus. God showed him that his talking needed to be replaced with listening.
Peter wanted to TALK—but, God wanted him to LISTEN. So, He got Peter’s attention in verse 7. As Mark tells us,
“Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
In the early part of 2012, Lori completely lost her voice. For nearly an entire week, she couldn’t speak above a whisper. Just imagine a spouse who can’t speak — can’t say a word. There may have been a few perks—like:
- Whatever claim I made, she couldn’t correct me.
- Whatever issue came up, I was guaranteed to have the last word.
- All she could do was smile and nod. It’s all she could do.
- As I’ve thought about this, I realize — while it might have been okay for a few days…It would be devastating if she would have lost her voice forever!
- I know her voice — better than any other voice. And to never hear it again, to never hear that voice laugh again, or talk, or encourage, or express love, would be unthinkable.
- For one week, it was bearable, (maybe even enjoyable), but for a lifetime…it would have been horrible!
Because, where there’s love, there’s relationship, and where there’s relationship there’s words.
And that’s what God wants with you. He wants you to know His voice!
And no where can you hear His voice better than through His Word. Your Bible. In fact, THE BIBLE describes itself as God’s Word. So, this morning I encourage you to recognize, respect, and regard the Bible as more than just a book. View it as God’s authority for your life!
One of my favorite quotes on this subject was made in the 4th century by the early church leader — Augustine. As he put it,
“When the Bible speaks, God speaks!”
So, one of the best ways to HEAR GOD SPEAK is through His Word.
You know, if God came back to earth today (not for that promised RETURN when He will call us all home). But if he just showed up in the person of Jesus again (as sort of a mid-course correction for us). What do you think He’d say to us?
Would it be something new? Would it be something He’s never said before? I don’t think so. In fact, I think He’d say, “Read my Word!” I’ve already given you everything you need to live a Godly and victorious life IN ME. So, read my Word.
God’s Word never fails. God’s Word is life. Listen, Psalm 19:7-9 says that His Word is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true, trustworthy, and righteous. But, that can’t be said of the countless words flowing into our lives through conversations and media every day.
So, let me ask you — Are you as dedicated to GOD’S WORD as you are the words of others? I challenge you today to spend as much time in God’s Word as you do reading emails, and texts, and tweets, and blogs, and social media posts, and all the other words in our world?
I challenge you TO DO THAT THIS WEEK! Get in to God’s Word. LISTEN FOR HIS VOICE.
- Before you begin your day, read it.
- As you go through your day, think about it.
- When you’re able to, listen to it.
- Before you make decisions, search it.
- When you face temptations, recall it.
- When you have opportunity, share it.
- And… above all — obey it.
So, LISTEN FOR GOD’S VOICE.
We must learn to…Get alone with God, to Listen for his voice…and lastly:
3. We Must…WAIT ON GOD’S TIMING.
Again, if I’m honest — none of the lessons we find in this story are easy. They really challenge me.
But this may be the most challenging one. Because I’m no good at waiting. How do you feel about waiting? Do you enjoy a nice, long wait? I don’t. I don’t like it when I have to stand in line at the bank or the post office. I don’t like waiting at a traffic light…or behind a slow driver.
Most of us don’t like to wait. And probably because, it reminds us we’re not in control. Most of us would rather do anything than wait…sometimes, even the wrong thing.
But, waiting on God is ALWAYS worth it!
Isaiah 40:31 says: “Those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength. They will rise up on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.“
And that’s a promise tied to the command to wait on God. When we wait on Him…He gives us strength!
In verse 9, Mark says: As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seenuntil the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
This was a command to wait! To wait on God’s timing. He commanded them to be patient—to wait, until the time was right.
Now, in time, those same disciples would write about their experience on that mountain top. They would tell the world how Jesus revealed His glory to them — and encouraged them to be bold and not to fear the things of this world. But for a while — they had to wait…to wait until the moment was right!
I want you to know that God has a perfect timeline for each of our lives. In fact he holds time in His hands. Yours time and mine. Every moment of our lives are in His hands. He’s beyond the confines of time.
Peter didn’t understand that on the mountain—but later he would. In 2 Peter 3:8, he writes:
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” 2 Peter 3:8
in other words, God is greater than time. He owns time.and we can trust Him with the TIMING of things.
So, I challenge you — learn TO WAIT ON THE LORD THIS WEEK!
Refuse to get in a hurry, don’t get pushy with Him. If you’ve got something you need—ask and wait. Pray and wait. If you need a miracle, cry out to Him i prayer— and the trust him with your life. Don’t give up. And don’t get angry…trust him! He’s a good God. He can be trusted. So…Wait on His timing.
And as you do — you’ll find that HE IS WITH YOU! And Be won’t leave you! Ever!
CONCLUSION
There isn’t a person alive who isn’t acquainted with trouble. Tough times, hardship, failure, struggles, temptation, pain — these things are common in the valley. But remember the lessons from the mountain top. God is with us.
Maybe that’s why David said in Psalm 23, “Though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.“
In John 16:33, he said, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.”
That’s the message of the MOUNTAIN TOP! So, remember, just as Jesus overcame the world, and His story ended with a resurrection — so will ours!
So, TRUST HIM. GET ALONE WITH GOD, LISTEN FOR HIS VOICE, and WAIT ON HIM!
And as you do…the MOUNTAIN TOP will help you learn to live IN THE VALLEY!
CLOSING PRAYER:
As we close this morning, I want to give you the opportunity to trust in Jesus. So, if you’re not living for Him…why don’t you start today.
If you would like to be saved and forgiven — would you join me in prayer? Let’s pray:
HeavenlyFather, I admit that I am a sinner and I’ve chosen my way over yours too often. But all that changes today. Because, I believe in Your Son, Jesus. I believe that He came from Heaven to earth to pay for my sin. I believe He died on the cross, shed His blood, was put in a grave — and rose again. So, today — I put my faith in Him. Forgive me of my sin. Save me and give me new life in you forever. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.
If you prayed today and made a decision to follow Jesus — would you let us know? We are so proud of you. This is the greatest decision you’ll ever make.
INVITE FOR PRAYER:
And now, before we go — let me pray for you.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for those mountain top experiences that we experience in life from time to time. But more than that — we thank you for the mountain top moments we can have when we met You in Your Word.
It’s our prayer that you would allow those moments and our time with you to encourage us as we prepare to walk those low places in this world. May you continue to speak to us by Your Spirit. Encourage and strengthen us with your abiding presence. Let your glory flow through us — and teach us to wait up you…and that promise of victory that will one day be ours through the power of your resurrection.
We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.