Page 57 - Living Light Spring 2024

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Steve Maltz and are based on Luke 9:28-36 (NIV)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
Luke 22:39-46
28About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30Two men, Moses and Elijah, 31appeared in glorious splendour, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfilment at Jerusalem. 32Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
33As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
Sunday May 5 - Let us go to the mountain
About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with
him and went up onto a mountain to pray. Luke 9:28
Sometimes you just need others with you when you pray. At other times you also need to be reminded of the grandeur of God’s creation, to help bring you into his presence. On this occasion Jesus did both. He climbed what was probably Mount Hermon with three of his closest friends, Peter, John and James, to pray. These three were very special to Jesus; they would later be trusted enough to share his difficult night in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Praying with trusted friends is truly a gift, particularly when you really mean business with the Father. It is accountability in action; it is a measure of your intent to really commune with the Divine. We may not have a convenient mountain, but perhaps a quiet corner in the woods, a meadow, even a park will suffice. Choose your environment, choose your companions in this great adventure (which prayer really ought to be), and God will reward you by bestowing on you his fullest attention.
This year I was in a quiet place with a group of friends, with the intention of opening our hearts to God. He rewarded us with a wonderful time of natural communion that affected every one of us, and this touch of the Divine was to inform our thoughts and actions for a long time afterwards. Take this seriously. Have expectations. God may very well surprise you!
Father in heaven, please bring others to me so that we can pray together in unity. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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