Coming Down from the Mountain
14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. 17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
See also ‘Only Believe’ Mark 9:14-29
14th November 2024: Horsham
We join Peter, James and John, walking down from the mountain where the transfiguration of Jesus has just taken place. They have just witnessed the most extraordinary scene where, on the mountain, Jesus met with, and talked with, Moses and Elijah. They heard the voice of God affirming Jesus as His Son. It is difficult to imagine a greater ‘spiritual high’ than being present at that moment. Why would you ever want to come down from such a place.
‘But it is the very essence of life that we must come down from the mountain top.’
Wm Barclay: New Daily Bible Study, Gospel of Mark Kindle Ed Loc 4385
Jesus leads the way to this encounter with a child suffering from what looks very like epilepsy.
There is no greater example in the Gospels to demonstrate that, however attractive it might seem, the spiritual high which will come from a prayerful encounter with Christ is not intended to bring us a permanent state of ecstasy. We should hope that it is a moment through which the Holy Spirit will encourage, empower and energise us to continue in his service. Like every generation of his disciples, we are called to serve. We are called to follow in the steps of our Leader into the situation to which He has directed us, on the path which He has prepared for us, confident that He goes before us.