Reading 18
High on the Mountain—Matthew 17
There is a lot going on in Matthew 17. The chapter begins with a narrative of the Transfiguration, Jesus curing an epileptic man, and forewarning the disciples about what would happen to him, among other things; but the high point (pun intended) for me is the experience on the mountaintop. Many important things happen on mountaintops. Moses received the tablets containing the law on a mountain. Jesus was tempted by Satan high up on a mountain peak. And Jesus preached a sermon from the mountain, commonly referred to as the Sermon on the Mount.
I love going to the mountains of North Carolina, driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and looking at the vistas below. High on the mountain, you can see for miles down into the valley. On a clear day, you can see the skyline of Charlotte, fifty or so miles away, from the top of Grandfather Mountain. Just as we can see far distances from the top of the mountain, Jesus could see into the future. He knew they had to go back down the mountain.
As much as Peter wanted to remain on the mountaintop, they had to return to the valley. J. William Harkins, III writes, “The valley is where Jesus continued his ministry.” As much as we would like to remain on the mountaintop, we too must return to the valley, where our work continues. We all know that life is not lived only on the mountaintop. In fact, a lot of life happens in the valley.
Our lives often seem like mountains and valleys, a roller coaster, if you will, with highs and lows, ups and downs; but Jesus is with us on the mountain and in the valley also. As much as we long to stay on that mountaintop, we must go into the valley, to feed the hungry, to clothe the poor, to welcome the stranger. We all occasionally need a mountaintop experience; but then we must return to the valley, to face the reality of life—with Jesus always by our side
To Consider:
- Have you ever had a “mountaintop experience?”
- How, if at all, did it change your life?
God, you come to us you on the mountain, in the valley, and everywhere in between. Walk with us as we go up and as we come down. Open our eyes to see the realities of life. Amen.
Susan Harris is a lifelong member of Salem, Lincolnton. She is married and has two grown children and five grandchildren. Susan and her husband divide their time between Lincolnton and Blowing Rock. She previously served as president of the NC Women of the ELCA and currently serves on the NC Synod Council.
