A story about being very, very close to God
From the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 9, verses 28-36
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 especially close to God was on the top of mountains. This was because mountains - especially very tall ones - seem to reach up toward heaven. Jesus knew that God lived in many places, and that heaven was one of those places. Being up high, 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. (These were the three men who had caught so many fish with Jesus' help, do you remember?) "Look at the day that God has made!" he told them. "Isn't it beautiful? The sun is shining, the sky is blue, the birds are singing. Let's enjoy it together!"
Peter, James, and John happily agreed to go with Jesus. It took them several hours to make their way to the mountain top, but they passed the time by talking together and telling stories about their lives. The three men were so happy to have Jesus all to themselves!
Finally they reached the top of the mountain. 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 against them, inviting them to rest and relax. Jesus sat quietly, closed his eyes, and began to pray silently. Peter and James and John settled down, too. They watched Jesus pray. They knew that these times he spent in silent prayer were very important, so they didn't bother him. 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 anyone dazzle like this before. Look at his clothes! They're bright white!"
He had no sooner gotten these words out of his mouth when they saw something else that totally surprised them. Two men appeared, standing on either side of Jesus. Jesus sensed their presence, too. He got up and started talking with them in a low voice.
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.
Peter dared to speak up. "Jesus," he began. Jesus stopped talking and looked at him. "What is happening up here is amazing. Let us set up three tents - one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
Just then a huge cloud appeared overhead. It covered the mountain top, blocking out the sun. It was so thick that no one could see anything. But everyone heard the voice that came out of that cloud: "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" And then the cloud lifted, the sun began shining again, and there was Jesus 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, and they never told anyone of the things they had seen or heard that day on the mountain.
Questions to ponder:
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.