Pilgrim Soldier

It was my turn to lead morning prayers again today and as I lay in bed last night thinking about it (couldn’t get to sleep for some reason) my thoughts went to Mark 9:2-13, The Transfiguration.

I don’t know about anyone else, but for me its been a long time since I’ve had a real Mountain top experience like those you get at events like Roots and other big Christian events. That doesn’t mean to say that I’ve not been touched by the Spirit, or have felt distant from the Lord, I’ve just not had one like those you get at events.

In the story of the Transfiguration, it’s mentioned that Jesus goes up onto the mountain with the disciples so that they can pray. This was a common thing for Jesus of course, but I’m not sure the Gospels mention another occasion of Him taking any of the disciples. Up there an amazing thing happens and afterwards Peter once again opens his mouth without thinking, in fact the Bible says that “he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.” vs 6. His suggestion? That they build a tent to commemorate the experience. I might be reading more into this but it suggests that he felt that by building a tent he could somehow capture that experience he had on the mountainside.

The next story in Mark 9:14-29 is probably the most telling bit about the whole experience. Jesus comes down off the mountain and meets up with the other disciples only to discover that they have failed to cast out a demon. He goes on to teach all His disciples a valuable lesson. That it is only possible to drive out that sort of spirit through prayer.

I reckon that we get the mountain top experiences once in awhile, but they aren’t the most important thing. The most important thing is that we do what Jesus did and keep in close contact with God. Yes the mountain top injection is great, but most of our work is done with people down in the valley!