Title: Let's Experience Mt.
Let's experience the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8)
The first of the five major events of Jesus' life is the incarnation, the second is the transformation of the Mount of Transfiguration, the third is the crucifixion, the fourth is the resurrection, and the fifth is the ascension. The text records the second event, the event of Mt. It is recorded that this event occurred six days after Peter's confession of faith. After this confession, Jesus spoke of his own death and Peter was rebuked by Jesus after saying that it would not happen. How disappointing must it have been to the disciples when Jesus said they had to take up their cross and follow them? This atmosphere lasted for 6 days. Jesus showed the glory of the kingdom of heaven by taking them to the Mount of Transfiguration in order to give courage to the confused disciples and to become disciples who could lay down their lives.
We do not know how much power these spiritual and mystical experiences can be in our religious life. Let's look at how Peter and James John were able to experience the mysterious scene on the Mount of Transfiguration, and look at the secret of how to become the protagonist of the spiritual experience.
1. Who can experience the mystery of Mt. Transfiguration?
Few of the disciples had a divine experience. There were only a few 12 disciples, and among them were Peter, James, and John. These three were taken and trained by Jesus five times. Why did Jesus bring these three disciples especially closer? Perhaps it was because of their dedication. This was not because of favoritism, but because they loved Jesus more.
Moses said to those who made the golden idol, anyone who is on the Lord's side should come to me. Then the Levites came and told them to put their swords around their waists, and to kill their brothers, their neighbors, and all their friends. At that time, 3,000 people died (Exodus 32:29), and this was called devotion. Devotion is the slaughtering of idolatry and all that obscures the glory of God. Do you want to be loved by Jesus? Please commit yourself thoroughly.
2. Where did they experience the transfiguration?
Today's text says it is a high mountain, but I do not know which mountain it is. Since the exact mountain is not known, it is commonly called a metamorphic mountain. There are many records of mountains in the Bible. The first garden of mankind is the Garden of Eden, and the mountain where Noah's Ark stayed is Mount Ararat. The place where Abraham sacrificed his son was Mount Moriah, Moses received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, Elijah saw the fire of prayer on Mount Carmel, and Jesus taught the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount. He prayed with blood and sweat in Gethsemane, was crucified on Calvary, and ascended to heaven on the Mount of Olives. Mountains have an important meaning in the life of faith. Climbing the mountain here means going to a quiet place, avoiding the crowded places.
It means to cut off all worldly things, to look only to God, to depend only on God, and to go to God.
If you have never been to a mountain and prayed one-on-one with God, I hope you will climb the mountain and have a wonderful spiritual experience. Even if it is not a physically high mountain, I hope that you will become believers who come up to the temple, the house of prayer, and experience the presence of God.
What did Peter, James, and John do to experience the Mount of Transfiguration? Mark and Luke record that they went up to pray. If we pray, we too can have these experiences, these experiences. Prayer is the hand that receives God's blessing.
Are there any blessings that I did not enjoy because I did not pray for the blessings God had prepared?
James 4:2 says that what you do not have is that you do not ask. God wants to show glory and He wants to bless. You want to solve your anxiety and problems, and you want to be happy.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6,7).
I hope that we can go up to the Holy Mountain to pray with Peter, James, and John.
<Concluding remarks>
Spiritual and mystical experiences are necessary for a powerful life of faith. These mystical experiences do not occur continuously, but once in a lifetime is sufficient. You must not abandon your family and pursue mystical experiences. Paul's encounter with Jesus in Damascus was very personal. Even if there was someone next to me, I couldn't hear the voice. I want you to have this mysterious spiritual experience as well. I pray in the name of the Lord that I may receive this blessing while going up to the holy mountain and praying in a secret place.