Mountain Top Experiences

    As I was driving to the office on Monday morning my mind kept thinking about Jesus and the Mt. of Transfiguration.  On top of the mount, he met with Moses and Elijah.  These two Old Testament leaders represent the law and the prophets.  They are the dominate figures of Old Testament theology.  In addition,  God had spoken to Peter, James, and John directly affirming that Jesus was God’s son.  As I put myself in the midst of Mark’s account of the transfiguration, I see Jesus as being absolutely exuberant.  What a great experience and what a great day!  Jesus had to be asking, “Does it get any better than this?”
    When Jesus came down the mountain, he found a large crowd gathered around his disciples.  Jesus would immediately enter once again into the daily grind of ministry.  A father had brought his son for healing.  His son had seizures which caused the boy great bodily harm.  Jesus’ disciples tried to cast out the demon but their efforts were a failure.  Jesus intervenes and the boy is healed, the demon is gone.
    While the transfiguration happened two thousand years ago, I know that story well from personal experiences.  On Sunday, over 1,100 people gathered at Epiphany to hear about Jesus’ resurrection from the dead through singing, preaching, and the sacrament of Holy Communion.  From all reports, Sunday went extremely well.  On Monday morning, I greeted by three of our members.  The first words out of their mouth were, “Yesterday was just great.  Pastor Sara had a wonderful message.  She brought Jesus resurrection into our day.”  What more could one ask from an Easter celebration?
    As I went to my office, I read the e-mails that had accumulated over the weekend.  We are getting a new server for our computers.  We will not have internet access for several days next week.  How will the staff communicate with each other and all of you?  The first quarter of the year is in the record books.  Financial statements have to be prepare and sent to each of you.  Then there is the letter that accompanies the statements which is my responsibility.  One of my e-mails had suggestions for who we might consider as a candidate for senior pastor.  The e-mail was forward to the Call Committee.  Gary Shooter was in with news about the new roof for the sanctuary.  Then, of course, there is a sermon for next weekend.  As I sat at my desk, I thought that Jesus only had one issue on his plate, the healing of a little boy, when he came down the mountain.
    We all need mountain tops, be they a transfiguration, a great Easter celebration, recognition for a job well done, or a hug from someone who loves and understands us.  We probably would like to have more mountain tops than we actually get.  But mountain tops are not where life is lived or ministry occurs.  It is at that base of the mountain that a boy is healed, the daily operation of the church occurs, recognition and rewards are received and hugs are given.  The mountain top experiences give us a resolve to live at the base of the mountain where we do God’s will for our lives.
    I pray that you all had a blessed celebration of Jesus’ resurrection and that it was a mountain top experience that will be with you at the base of the mountain; i.e., in your home, at you job, with your friends, and in your church.
Pastor Pete