Saturday 14th June
Read Luke 9:34-36
“While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.’ 36 When 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.” (NIVUK)
At one level it would be amazing to have witnessed such a meeting. It would transform one’s understanding of the way the world works now and in the afterlife. It fulfils the hopes of all spiritual Christians to see the beatific vision, the face of God. At another level, the level recorded in the text, it was terrifying. The disciples were so shocked they made absurd suggestions about camping out on the mountain, they, like Israel before them, were terrified at the sight of the cloud – long held to be a symbol of God’s presence amongst His people. Afterwards they told no one what they had seen. Would anyone have believed them?
Why was their experience so similar to that of Israel at Sinai? We only have to read the summary in Hebrews to see the correspondence. Cloud, darkness, voice, mountain and terror…
“You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.’21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, ‘I am trembling with fear.’” (Hebrews 12:18-21) (NIVUK).
Their fear, though real and entirely appropriate, will ultimately lead to thanksgiving and praise.
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’” (Hebrews 12:28-29) (NIVUK)
