A story about being very, very close to God
(From the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 9, verses 28-36)
Jesus felt so close to God that he called God "Abba," which means "Daddy."
One of the places that Jesus felt very close to God was on the top of mountains. This was because mountains – especially very tall ones – seem to reach up toward heaven. Being up high on the top of a mountain near heaven, made Jesus feel like he was right next to God.
One day Jesus decided to hike up a mountain to spend some time with God. He asked three of his friends to come with him – Peter, James, and John. It took the four men a long time hike to the mountain top.
Finally they got there. They were all very tired from their walk. Jesus sat down, closed his eyes, and began to pray silently. Peter, James, and John knew not to bother Jesus while he was praying. All three of them lay down to rest. They were beginning to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, the Chosen One of God. The sun shown down on them and the cool breeze blew across their bodies as they each thought about what that might mean.
Suddenly John whispered, "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. "Look at his clothes! They're bright white!"
He had no sooner spoken when they saw something else that totally surprised them. Two men were standing on either side of
Jesus. Jesus saw the men, too. He stood up and started talking with them in a low voice.
Peter, James, and John could catch only a few words of what they were saying, but what they heard astonished them. One of the two men was Moses, the great leader who had brought God's law to the people of Israel. The other was Elijah, the prophet who had spoken God's truth to the Jewish people. Moses and Elijah had been dead for hundreds of years.
Peter dared to speak up. "Jesus," he began. Jesus stopped talking and looked at him. "Let us set up three tents – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
Just then a huge cloud covered the mountain top. It blocked out the sun. No one could see anything. But everyone heard the voice in the cloud: "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" And then the cloud lifted. The sun began shining again. Jesus was all alone. He was 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.
Questions to think and pray about:
I wonder if you have ever been on the top of a mountain.
I wonder what Jesus, Peter, James, and John talked about as they walked up the mountain.
I wonder what you would tell Jesus if you and he were hiking together.
I wonder where you feel close to God.
I wonder what you call God.