Luke 9:28-36 (The Transfiguration)
The Problem with Spiritual Highs
Ever had one of those moments where everything felt right? A retreat, a worship service, a moment in prayer—where it seemed like heaven cracked open, and God was right there?
Peter had one of those moments. So did James and John. They climbed a mountain with Jesus, and suddenly—there He was, glowing in divine brilliance, standing with Moses and Elijah. It was breathtaking, overwhelming, undeniably real.
And Peter, bless his heart, did what we all tend to do: he wanted to stay there.
“Master, it is good that we are here. Let’s set up some tents and settle in!” (Luke 9:33, paraphrased).
That’s us, isn’t it? We crave those spiritual highs. We want to freeze time, bottle up the moment, and live on the mountaintop forever.
But Jesus had other plans. And that’s a key point. We often evaluate what we read in scripture in terms of our experiences. That’s understandable. But when our assumptions and expectations don’t align with the plain meaning of God’s Word, guess what has to be adjusted?
Because faith isn’t meant to stay on the mountain. Faith is meant to walk into the valley.
The Transfiguration: A Preview, Not a Destination
What happened on that mountain wasn’t the moment. It was a preview. A glimpse of Jesus’ full glory—a sneak peek of the kingdom. But it wasn’t the end of the story.
In fact, Luke 9:37 tells us what happened immediately after the transfiguration: “On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him.” And right away, Jesus is back in the mess of human suffering, casting out demons, healing the sick, dealing with faithless crowds.
Mountaintop moments are great. But real faith is forged in the valley.
Chasing Jesus vs. Chasing Feelings
We live in a culture that chases the next big experience. The next conference, the next book, the next worship set that gives us goosebumps. But when the excitement fades? When Monday morning hits and real life kicks in?
That’s where the real question is answered: Are we chasing Jesus? Or are we chasing a feeling?
Because if faith is built on emotions alone, what happens when life gets hard? Many of your have taek wedding vows. You know the reality that there are often times when the only thing keep a couple together is the choice to honor those vows. There are times when ‘all the feels’ will let us down if that’s all there is.
The disciples had to come down from the mountain. They were feeling amazing! But they soon had to dela with the hard reality of daily life. And so do we. The Christian life isn’t lived in spectacular moments but in ordinary faithfulness.
Why the Mountaintop Moments Matter
Now, before we go too far the other direction—those moments DO matter.
Peter, James, and John saw something that shaped them forever. John would later write, “We have seen His glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father” (John 1:14). Peter, in his epistle, would recall the moment as undeniable proof of Jesus’ identity (2 Peter 1:16-18).
The mountaintop moments remind us of what is true. They show us that Jesus is who He says He is. They strengthen us for what comes next. They form memories that we can recall when life gets hard. These memories can be powerful encouragement.
But those memories of mountaintop highs aren’t where faith is lived.
Faith That Walks Down the Mountain
So, how do we live faithfully after the mountaintop moment fades? How do we walk down the mountain without losing sight of Jesus?
1. Remember Who Jesus Is
The Jesus who shines in glory on the mountain is the same Jesus who walks with you through the valley. When the emotions fade, when life gets hard, when the high is gone—He has not changed.
God’s voice from the cloud was clear: “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to Him!” (Luke 9:35). That command still stands. Listen to Him. Trust Him. Keep walking.
2. Stay Anchored in the Word
Feelings will come and go. The emotional experience of faith ebbs and flows. But God’s Word remains.
Mountaintop moments fade, but Scripture never does. The Bible is God’s voice, steady and unchanging. If we only seek spiritual highs but neglect hearing from God daily, we’re missing the point.
Discipleship isn’t built on a string of one-time experiences—it’s built on daily, steady obedience. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
3. Be Faithful in the Small Things
Real faith isn’t just about how we feel on Sunday—it’s about how we live on Monday.
The test of discipleship isn’t found in the moments of spiritual euphoria. It’s found in the unseen, unglamorous, daily grind of faithfulness.
- Showing up for prayer when you don’t feel like it.
- Loving your neighbor when it’s inconvenient.
- Choosing obedience even when no one is watching.
These small, daily choices shape us far more than any single mountain-top experience ever could.
What If We Lived This Out?
Imagine a church full of people who don’t just chase spiritual highs, but actually live faithfully in the valley.
Imagine if we followed Jesus on Monday with the same passion that we worship Him on Sunday.
What would our marriages look like?
What would our workplaces look like?
What would our neighborhoods look like?
The Christian life isn’t about getting back to the mountain. It’s about walking faithfully wherever Jesus leads—mountain or valley, high or low, joy or struggle.
One Small Step This Week
So here’s the challenge: What’s one small act of faithfulness you can commit to this week—even if you don’t feel it?
Maybe it’s opening your Bible on a random Tuesday morning.
Maybe it’s praying for that difficult co-worker.
Maybe it’s showing up for someone else, even when you’re tired.
Whatever it is—do it.
Not because you feel inspired.
Not because of an emotional high.
But because Jesus is still worth following—even when the moment fades.
Closing Prayer
“Lord, help us to trust You beyond the moment. Give us faith to follow You, not just when we feel it, but when we don’t. Teach us to walk with You in the valley, knowing that You are the same God who shines on the mountain. Amen.”
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