Transfiguring our thirst

Jonathan Fleming March 18, 2025 5 2

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Luke 9: 28-36 (NRSVA)

28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

I often wonder what it must have been like for Peter, James, and John, when Jesus took them up that mountain to pray. What must it have been like to watch Jesus transfigure before their eyes — His face shining like the sun; His clothes dazzling whiter than Daz could ever bleach them… 

I love Peter. Maybe it’s because I see a lot of him in me… I often engage mouth before brain as well! In his excitement, Peter wants to build shelters. And I can understand why… he wanted to prolong this incredible moment! But before he can act, a cloud envelops them, and God speaks: “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” And when the cloud lifts, they see Jesus alone. What a moment!

Do we not all long for mountaintop experiences — those moments where God’s presence feels close and undeniable? Do we not all thirst for encounters with the divine and when we get one, hope to stay in those moments forever? But just as Jesus led the disciples back down the mountain, the reality is we are called to bring His light into the valleys of everyday life…

Spiritual thirst is not just about longing for powerful experiences. It is about a deep, ongoing desire to know and follow Jesus, even when life feels ordinary or challenging.

And God’s command in this? It’s simple yet profound: “Listen to Him.”
 

Let us pray…

Lord Jesus,

You revealed Your glory to Your disciples on the mountaintop,

awakening in them a thirst for more of You.
We, too, long to see You more clearly,
to experience Your presence in a life-changing way.

Help us to listen to You — not just in the moments of wonder,

but in the everyday rhythms of life.

May our longing for You deepen,

shaping us into people who bring Your light into the world.

And when we grow weary,
refresh us with the living water of Your love.

So be it. Amen.