Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. “But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise, the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” (Mat 17:1-12 NKJ)
Jesus takes three disciples up a mountain to experience a deeper spiritual dimension. The very essence of divinity shone through and around Jesus. This new experience allowed them to see into another dimension where Elijah and Moses were, not heaven but Paradise. Elijah and Moses were still waiting for the day of redemption. Then the full weight, power, and presence of God’s glory are revealed, and they fall to the ground, such a presence would have pushed them to the ground, unable to stand in God’s presence.
James and John say nothing, and Peter misses the whole thing completely, his thinking is purely carnal. ‘Jesus, why don’t we build a ministry center here and charge admission and make some good money?’ It’s the same carnality expressed by the Israelites in the wilderness as they chose to dance around a golden calf instead of climbing the mountain.
An old saying goes like this. ‘Some people are so heavenly minded that they’re no earthly good.’ I believe some people are so earthly minded that they’re no heavenly good either.
