Mountain-top experiences are wonderful, but they don't last forever. Most of life is lived in the mundane rather than on the mountain. But the mountain times certainly help us get through the mundane! Chapter 17 starts with such a mountain-top experience, literally. Jesus is transfigured ("His face shone like the sun and His clothes became as white as the light") on a high mountain in front of Peter, James and John. Not only that, but Moses and Elijah appeared as well. Wow! What a day that must have been! No wonder Peter didn't want to leave--he wanted them to set up camp on the mountain. But alas, the experience ended and it was back to reality. They came off the mountain and were immediately faced with a problem that the remaining disciples could not handle. It was the kind of problem that could only be solved by "prayer and fasting" (v21). Then Jesus reminds them again of the reality of His impending death. If that wasn't depressing enough, when the disciples get back to their "base" at Capernaum, the tax collectors where waiting to collect. Remarkably, Jesus tells Peter to go fishing and get the needed tax money out of the mouth of a fish! Jesus even made the mundane task of tax paying interesting. The bottom line is this: enjoy the mountain top experiences of life and let them be refreshing times, but don't get discouraged when you have to face the everyday challenges. You can't live forever on the mountain, but you can through faith conquer the mundane and live a successful life for God's glory.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.
