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I must admit to being an avid fan of the Tour de France. I am in awe of anyone with the ability to ride up very high mountains and sprint fearlessly toward a distant end point. I have often wondered how they felt when they reached the summit; exhausted, relieved, joyful, even fearful of the steep descent. Mind you, it is never just one mountain they must climb. There are always more; some bigger, some less punishing on weary
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bodies. Isn’t that like life? Some days you feel like you are climbing Everest. We could look at mountain top experiences as important, life changing events, places where we glimpse possibilities and feel good about the road ahead, so good we may not want to leave these happy places. It is only when you have been in the troughs and valleys of life that you can really appreciate mountain top euphoria.
The evangelist, Matthew, located numerous events on mountain tops. Jesus met Satan on a mountain, he fed thousands, he prayed, and he gave great sermons on mountains. A mountain is like a flashing neon sign saying this is important, take note. And so, we hear about Jesus taking Peter, James, and John up a mountain in Galilee. Not only a mountain, but Matthew throws in the sun, clouds, prophets, and the voice of God. Every sign that Jesus is the new Moses, the promised one, the Messiah.
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In Matthew’s Gospel this is the turning point. From now on, Jesus is on the perilous downhill journey to Jerusalem and death. Just as Elijah and Moses sought reassurance from God about their own difficult pathways, so too does Jesus. Elijah experienced the close presence of God in sheer silence (1Kings 19:12). Moses, protected in the cleft of a rock, did not see the glory of God’s face, only God’s back (Ex 33:20-23), but this reassured him for his journey. Jesus often withdrew to pray, he needed guidance and courage, he was human. Yet, this time, his divinity, his close relationship with the Father is evident to his followers, he is transfigured. We may experience transforming moments in life, but they are not as physically obvious to others as Jesus’ transfiguration.
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Jesus, now reassured by the voice of God speaking words of love, is strengthened for the ride down the mountain and beyond. His support vehicle provided him with the energy drink he needed. Jesus then turns to his loyal team who are terrified, and he reassures them, “Stand up, do not be afraid.” When Jesus is gone, they too will have to stand up and face difficult decisions if Jesus’ mission is to continue through his followers. Do we climb the mountain through prayer to be close to God? Do we seek God’s love and support when we face trials, need courage, struggle to find a road that leads to our destination? Are we really listening? If so, do we hear the words “Stand up, do not be afraid” whispering in the breeze?
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