October 24, 2005

 

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.

--Mark 4:1-6

 

There they stood—Peter, James, and John—on the mountaintop watching the transformation of Jesus in all of His resplendent glory. Everything that Christ was on the inside was demonstrated on the outside—His inherent, intrinsic, and incarnate glory. And there with him: Moses, who represented those who die in Christ and then are raised on the last day to be with the Lord; and Elijah, who represented the ones who are alive and will be taken to heaven in glory when Christ returns.

 

I agree with Alexander McClarion, the great Bible teacher of yesteryear who said he’s not looking for a grave in the ground, but for Glory in the sky. Peter wanted to remain on the mountaintop, but you and I can’t continue gazing into the heaven simply waiting for Christ to come again.

 

Peter is like a lot of us—he couldn’t get his faith translated from the mountaintop to the valley. He wanted to stay on the mountaintop with the Lord Jesus, but that was impossible. Just the same, God doesn’t intend for us to simply buy ascension robes and wait on a roof somewhere for Jesus to return. He’s called us and challenged us to be on mission for the Lord Jesus Christ and to share His message of truth with a waiting world.

 

Some of you would have to admit that you’ve not yet been able to connect your faith with how you live every day. Faith is not just for the saints in church. It’s for the saints in the streets. You and I should daily strive to translate and transfer our faith to the world around us. Ask God to help you come down off the mountain and share His truth with those in the valley.

 

TO WIN THE DAY-TO-DAY BATTLES OF LIFE, YOU MUST TAKE YOUR FAITH DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINTOPS AND INTO THE MISSION FIELD.