As we observed the Feast of the Transfiguration, our Gospel reading often took us to a remarkable scene. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, where He is suddenly transfigured before them. His face shines like the sun, and His clothes become as white as light. Moses and Elijah appear, talking with Him about His upcoming “departure” in Jerusalem.
It’s an astounding, dazzling, mountaintop moment, a glimpse of Jesus’ divine glory. And Peter, in his characteristic impulsive way, blurts out, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Matthew 17:4).
Peter wanted to stay. He wanted to set up camp, to prolong that moment of divine ecstasy, to build a permanent dwelling where everything was perfect, glorious, and completely unburdened by the messy realities of the world below.
I can completely relate to Peter’s sentiment. My family and I love to camp. There’s something truly special about being out in nature, away from the hustle and bustle, under an impossibly starry sky. The routine simplifies, responsibilities feel lighter, and everything seems to slow down, and part of me thinks, “Yes! This is it. I could stay here forever.”
But the practical reality always sets in, doesn’t it? despite how much we love it… we can’t stay there. We have to pack up, come down the mountain (or come home from the campground), and return to “real life.”
And that’s exactly what Jesus knew. Peter wanted to live on the mountaintop, but Jesus knew He had a mission waiting in the valley. The disciples found their moment of glory, but they soon descended to a world of sickness, doubt, and suffering, a world where the cross awaited their Lord.
The Transfiguration was a precious gift, a glimpse of glory designed to strengthen Jesus and His disciples for the difficult journey ahead. It wasn’t the final destination. As one scholar puts it, “You don’t live on the mountain. You live from the mountain. You descend from the mountain, strengthened by the vision, to serve in the valley.”
This truth resonates deeply with our Christian lives. We long for those mountaintop moments – powerful worship services, profound Bible studies, moments of intense joy or peace. And in those moments, we might echo Peter: “It is good for us to be here. Let’s stay!”
But just like my family eventually packs up our camping gear, and just like Jesus and His disciples descended from the Mount of Transfiguration, we are called back to our valleys. We are called back to our daily lives to our families, our schools, our workplaces, our responsibilities – to the places where there is still messiness, struggle, and work to be done.
The good news is that we don’t return to the valley empty-handed. We return strengthened by the glimpse of God’s glory, filled with the hope and peace received on the mountain. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit and nourished by God’s Word and Sacraments to live out our faith in those valleys. The glory we saw, the strength we received, is meant to equip us for the journey.
Let us cherish our mountaintop moments, but let us also embrace the call to serve in the valley, knowing that Christ Himself descends with us, empowering us for every step of the way.
Pastor Shawn Kitzing