Altitude - Youth Ski Trip

Common English Bible Chapter 9

28 About eight days after Jesus said these things, he took Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes flashed white like lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with him. 31 They were clothed with heavenly splendor and spoke about Jesus’ departure, which he would achieve in Jerusalem. 32 Peter and those with him were almost overcome by sleep, but they managed to stay awake and saw his glory as well as the two men with him.

33 As the two men were about to leave Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it’s good that we’re here. We should construct three shrines: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—but he didn’t know what he was saying. 34 Peter was still speaking when a cloud overshadowed them. As they entered the cloud, they were overcome with awe.

35 Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to him!” 36 Even as the voice spoke, Jesus was found alone. They were speechless and at the time told no one what they had seen.

Jesus heals a boy

37 The next day, when Jesus, Peter, John, and James had come down from the mountain, a large crowd met Jesus. 38 A man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to take a look at my son, my only child. 39 Look, a spirit seizes him and, without any warning, he screams. It shakes him and causes him to foam at the mouth. It tortures him and rarely leaves him alone. 40 I begged your disciples to throw it out, but they couldn’t.”

Altitude can give you

Place of retreat/safety

Place of perspective / good view / clarity - Altitude can influence your attitude

Luke 6:12 CEB

12 During that time, Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night long.

Place to see the beauty of creation - take some time on the mountain to just look around…you’re blessed to be able to come here, few people on the planet will see these spectacular views in their lifetimes.

dangerous - Have to be prepared. It’s a different environment

air thinner, more unknown animals that are tough, more exposed too wind/elements, wild swings in temperature

Need a guide/trails, someone has done the work ahead for you…if you go “Out of bounds,” going to end up in trouble

going in trees dangerous unless you really know what you’re doing…even then still dangerous

Going into unknown places, doing new things, is scary. Look for those faithful who’ve blazed trails ahead of you

eventually you have to come down

Transfiguration - You can’t make a tent and stay in mountaintop experiences forever.

When you come back down, your old problems will still be there. Evil will still be around…but perhaps you can carry a new attitude gained from your time at altitude.