We’ll come back some very important elements of Matthew chapter sixteen in part four, but in this third installment in this subject of getting our heads into God’s game plan I want to skip ahead. There is a very significant experience noted in chapter seventeen that I want to appeal to you from. In Matthew 17:1-3, we have the following narrative: And after six days Jesus took with Him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him.
These three guys (Peter, James & John) were like the inner circle of the disciples. They were the ones that were the closest to Jesus. It wasn’t that Jesus wasn’t good friends with each of the twelve, but He was especially close to these three. As we observe what transpired in this story, I am struck by a thought that I believe to be true, and that is: there are special things and greater revelations that God will share with those that are closest to Him. It’s not like some people are more special to God than others, but those who take the time to become really intimate with Him will find themselves in the midst of amazing experiences with Him. In this case it happened on a mountain top.
Where I grew up in Alaska, we lived at the base of a mountain. It wasn’t particularly high, but it was a mountain nonetheless. For a good reference for Washington residents, Mount Si in North Bend would be about the equivalent. Now, although thousands of people live in the general vicinity of this mountain and are acquainted with its location, probably less than 2% of these people have ever experienced the view from on top of it. I had the privilege of climbing to the top of this mountain on several occasions and can say that the view is spectacular. Similarly all Christians have access to amazing revelatory experiences with Jesus but few will put forth the needed effort to encounter them.
These three men invested the time in a close relationship with Jesus and they also exerted themselves by making a climb with Him. Directly after witnessing this amazing transfiguration Peter remarked, “It is really good that we came up here” (my paraphrase); but they would never have experienced it had they not positioned themselves for it. I find myself both attracted as well as deeply convicted by this colorful event. I want so much to experience God sharing Himself with me like this, but I also know that I must invest myself much more in the relationship and exert myself to climb with Him. I wonder if I want it enough. I wonder if you want it?
The reason that I wanted to expose you to this story before we finish chapter sixteen is to tempt you with what you will find on top of the mountain. We’re going to be getting challenged with the subjects of denying ourselves and being too worldly minded, but it’s important for us to recognize that there is a reward for our efforts. Serving God is not just about discipline and rigorous effort. There are some amazing, off-the-charts experiences in store for us. It is of absolute significance that we grasp the merits of investing ourselves. God wants to expose us to revelatory perspectives and supernatural insights, and He will if we will go with Him.
Getting our head into God’s game means taking this very seriously; what He wants to do through us will require more than a casual attitude of fellowship with Him. We must see that being related to Him is a call to be continually related to all that He is working at in the world around us. In this relationship that only a small percentage of Christians will actually thrust themselves into, there will be some amazing views to behold. These views and the efforts that we exert in positioning for them will launch us into great kingdom productivity. I invite you to come with me and make the climb, it will be worth it!
