A story about being very, very close to God
From the Gospel of Mark, chapter 9:2-9
Jesus loved God and felt so close to God that he called God "Abba," which means "Daddy." Jesus knew that God had given him important work: to teach about God's love and to bring hope to people. So every day of his life he tried to do this work, knowing that God would help him and never be far away from him.
One of the places that Jesus felt very close to God was on the top of mountains. So one day Jesus decided to hike up a mountain to spend some time with God. He asked Peter, James, and John to come with him.
It took them a while to get all the way to the top of the mountain. They passed the time by talking together and telling stories. They were all happy to be together!
Finally they reached the top. It felt great to be up so high! They could see for miles in all directions. They were hot and tired from their walk, but up on that mountain the breeze blew gently. Peter, James, and John lay down to rest.
Jesus sat quietly, closed his eyes, and began to pray silently. His friends watched Jesus pray. They were beginning to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, the Chosen One of God. As they rested and let the sun shine down on them, they each thought about what that might mean.
Suddenly John whispered, "Look! Look at Jesus! He's all lit up!"
Peter and James sat up. John pointed at Jesus, his hand shaking.
"Whoa! This is weird!" said James. "I've never seen anything like this before. Look at his clothes! They're bright white!"
He had no sooner said this when they saw something else that totally surprised them. Two men were standing on either side of Jesus. Jesus got up and started talking softly with them.
Peter, James, and John could catch only a few words from this conversation, but what they heard made them realize that the two men were Moses, the great leader who had brought God's law to the people of Israel, and Elijah, the great prophet who spoke God's truth. Moses and Elijah had been dead for hundreds of years.
Finally Peter spoke. "Jesus," he began. Jesus stopped talking and looked at him. Peter continued, "What is happening up here is truly amazing. Let us set up tents for you, and Moses, and Elijah."
Just then a huge cloud appeared overhead. It covered all of them. It blocked out the sun. No one could see anything. But everyone heard the voice that came out of that cloud: "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" And then the cloud lifted. The sun began shining again. Jesus was all alone, looking at them.
When God comes very, very close to you, it's usually a good idea to be quiet so that you can just be with God. And that is what Jesus, Peter, James, and John did that day as they walked back down the mountain. They kept silent, remembering God's closeness. They didn't tell anyone of the things they had seen or heard that day on the mountain until after Jesus' resurrection.
Questions to think and pray about:
I wonder if you have ever been on the top of a mountain.
I wonder what you would tell Jesus about yourself if you and he were hiking together.
I wonder where you feel close to God.
I wonder what you call God.
I wonder how long you can stay absolutely quiet.