We Need Special Times With God
What a joy it is when Jesus calls us “up” to Him for a time of learning and spiritual refreshing. These times may be during a church retreat, revival meetings, times when we fast and pray, or during small group meetings, to name a few. These special times are vital for us.
It’s no surprise that Jesus set this example for mountain top experiences. We can read about an instance in Mark 9:2-4 (ESV):
On the Mountain
After six days, Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them. And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus. – Mark 9:2-4 (ESV)
Reentry
Here’s an overview of what happened with Peter, James, and John when they came down from their mountain top experience with Jesus: “On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain… (Luke 9:37 ESV)” Jesus is confronted by a desperate Dad who is angry at His disciples – “…I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not (v40).” No doubt, the disciples were embarrassed.
Hang on! We’re not done yet. Then Jesus foretells His death to His disciples (Luke 9:43-45). Then an “argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest” (Luke 9:46 ESV). Then the Apostle John tells Jesus that they tried to stop a person from using Jesus’ name. John finds out that was the wrong approach (Luke 9:49-50). Next, a Samaritan village rejects Jesus (Luke 9:51-55). The ninth chapter of Luke wraps up with three different people half-heartedly asking Jesus if they could join His disciples.
Watch Out
It must have been a rough reentry for the Apostles Peter, James, and John. Having a bumpy reentry when you come down from a Spiritual mountain top experience is very common. The enemy knows our hearts and minds are on what we’ve just experienced; that’s when he often bombards us in an attempt to trip us up.
I pray that we all seek alone times with Father God, and I pray we watch our step during our reentry into our daily lives.
Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash
You may like:
https://rockexcavationservice.org/2019/06/12/when-they-had-sung-a-hymn/