Conquering through hope

“But I say unto you of a truth, There are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they will have seen the kingdom of God. And it came to pass after these words, about eight days, that taking Peter and John and James he went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed the fashion of his countenance became different and his clothing white and effulgent.” (Luke 9:27-29)

We read quite often that the Lord went up a mountain to pray there (see Luke 6:12; 22:39-41; Matt 14:23). The mountain speaks on the one hand of separation from people and on the other hand of closeness to God. Whoever climbs a mountain leaves the valley behind for a while to be alone and to have a wider perspective. From the mountain, figuratively speaking, one can see some things a little more through the eyes of God (see Deut 34:1).

The path Jesus took led through suffering to glory. On this path He, as a dependent Man, also needed encouragement. Psalm 110 verse 7 prophetically says of Him, "He will drink of the brook in the way; therefore will He lift up the head." The scene on the Mount of Transfiguration was certainly such a drinking from the stream of God, which is, for us also, always full of water (see Ps 65:9). There He discussed with Moses and Elijah His decease, which He was to fulfill in Jerusalem. What an encouragement to know that at that moment the eyes of heaven were on Him. Shortly afterwards it is said, "And it came to pass when the days of His receiving up were fulfilled, that He steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51).

The "leader and completer of faith" had His future glory constantly before the eyes of His heart. This hope helped Him to endure rejection, persecution and suffering here on earth, because we read that, "Who, in view of the joy lying before him, endured the cross, having despised the shame" (Heb 12:2).

It should be the same with His disciples. Straight after the Lord had presented to them the cost of discipleship, there on the mountain God gave them a wonderful prophetic vision of future events. Years later, Peter thought back on this and took courage for the last steps that lay ahead of him on the way to his martyrdom (see 2 Pet 1:14-19). The same apostle writes, "And we have the prophetic word made surer, to which you do well taking heed (as to a lamp shining in an obscure place) until the day dawn and the morning star arise in your hearts" (2 Pet 1:19).

Now we suffer in this accursed world while we follow a rejected Christ. But soon - perhaps even today - He will come again to take us to His Father's house, the eternal dwelling place of God. We also wait for the day when He, Who was rejected and crucified here, will rule over this creation in power and glory - and that with us at His side! God wants us to concern ourselves with the future events that He tells us about in His Word. He wants us to know the things that are waiting for us at the end of the road. The anticipation of this spurs us on to be victorious conquerors every day!

Often the anticipation of the next holiday helps us to pick ourselves up once more, and to tackle the remaining jobs as well as we can. Is that also true in terms of eternity? To what extent does the hope that you will soon be forever with Christ and that God will wipe every tear from your eyes, have an effect on your life today? Do you have moments when you leave the "valley" behind you for a few minutes to go to the "mountain" to talk to God about His interests and goals?

J.P.S.