The Experience Of A Lifetime

Have you ever had an experience in your life that you have never forgotten? I have. I lived in Yakima, Washington, when the Mt. St. Helen’s volcano erupted  on May 18, 1980. As the ash cloud approached the city, it became as dark as night at noon. As people awoke the next morning there was ash covering the entire town, which took a month to clean up. It was an experience of a lifetime.

Seeing a mountain blow up, however, is nothing compared to what three of the disciples of Jesus experienced on a mountain when Jesus displayed his glorified body, in what is referred to as the transfiguration, recorded in Matthew 17:1-3. “Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.”

With this experience Peter, James, and John, saw both the humanity and the divine nature of Jesus. Not only that, but they also saw two Old Testament people talking with him, living proof that there is eternal life.

We will never see the glorified body of Jesus until we meet him in heaven, but we can partake of his divine nature now. 2 Peter 1:3-4 says, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature…”

However, there is coming a day when Christians will also have glorified bodies like Jesus revealed at the transfiguration, “who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body…” (Philippians 3:21). This is too much to comprehend with our human mind.

Until that happens, in the here and now, are we spending time with the Lord, not on a mountain, but in our homes with our families, taking time out of our daily activities to seek more of the glory of Jesus through reading the Bible and prayer? Are we worshiping in the beauty of his holiness?  Do we see our sinful nature in comparison to his holiness? Do we focus on the unique qualities of Jesus, like his love, his grace, his mercy, and his power? If so, we might have an experience with Jesus, not like the three disciples had on the mountain, but one that we will never forget.

Perhaps you have had a spiritual experience in the presence of the Lord. Share it with others to encourage them in the faith. We can all use more of God’s presence and peace in our lives.