In The Holy Mount

by J. Miller | Category: Voices From The Past - Extracted From Jottings | Jan 1981

The words in Mark 9:2, "apart by themselves" find a fitting complement in the words of Peter in 2 Peter 1:18, "when we were with Him in the holy mount". Peter, when he wrote these words, was nearing the end of his earthly pilgrimage, of which he wrote, "Knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle cometh swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ signified unto me" (v.14). Peter's second epistle is one of calling things to remembrance, and, as he calls upon others to remember, he himself remembers that never-to be-forgotten experience of being with the Lord in the holy mount. Do we remember any such times in our Christian life when we knew we were with Him? When we knew that Christ was not merely a name, or a figment of human thought, but a living, loving Saviour and Master, One with whom we may commune, One who is not in a far away heaven, but whose presence is assured to His own by Him who is another Comforter. He said, "I will not leave you desolate (orphans): I come unto you".

Peter says that the Lord "received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased". Twice has the Father spoken thus of the Son; once at Jordan when the Lord was baptized by John the Baptist. Now, again, in the Transfiguration, which was close to the end of the Lord's ministry, the Father speaks of the pleasure He found in the Son.

The lasting effect of the experience on the holy mount is expressed by Peter thus, "We have the word of prophecy made more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts". Whilst the Transfiguration was a precious experience it had a purpose in view. It was not that the apostles should build tabernacles and that all those who participated in that scene should remain there in holy blessedness, oblivious to the needs of a world of men beneath. A professed communion with the Lord that does not produce greater assurance of the need of the Scriptures and of the power of God's word is a false communion. If our communion with Christ does not bring us to where the Lord brought the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, then it is time to reconsider and to take stock of that in which we are engaged.

J. Miller | Jan 1981
Voices From The Past - Extracted From Jottings