Matthew 17:1-9 NLT‬
[1] “Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. [2] As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. [3] Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. [4] Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” [5] But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” [6] The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground. [7] Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” [8] And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus. [9] As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Have you ever pondered the significance of this incident? Jesus takes three of His disciples up the mountain, reveals His glory to them in a shockingly physical manifestation, and then tells them not to talk about it to anyone. What was the point?

Paul found himself in a similar situation. He was given an out-of-body experience of the glories of heaven that could have set him apart from all other humans…someone so special that he had privileges no other could enjoy but…

‭2 Corinthians 12:2-7 NLT‬
[2] “I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. [3] Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know [4] that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell….

[5]…That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. [6] If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, [7] even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.”

What was the purpose of these excursions into the spiritual realm that sent them reeling? The natural inclination would be to run around telling everyone about what they had seen instead of keeping quiet as they were instructed to do.

Why would God show these things to them if they were not to share their experiences with others? I have learned that sharing my high moments with someone else often gets the wrong response. Instead of focusing on God, the attention shifted to me and I became the object of admiration and even jealousy.

I think that Peter, as spokesperson for his fellow disciples, and Paul give us the answer.

‭2 Peter 1:16-19 NLT‬
[16] “For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes [17] when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” [18] We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. [19] Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.”

This was not a ‘holy moment’ to boost the disciples’ ego but to convince them that Jesus is the Son of God and to confirm their confidence in the message foretold by the prophets. How they needed the imprint of this vision to steady them in times of great trial and testing!

For Paul, his out-of-this-world experience had a different purpose. His upbringing, training, and religious fervour put him in a dangerous position. Only after his conversion did he realise how much pride in who he was had become his spiritual `war zone’.

Paul was a Pharisee, the ones with whom Jesus battled the most. They were unteachable bigots and hypocrites, to the extent that they had Jesus executed to protect their interests. Paul was one of them, so confirmed by his persecution of the early church.

All his standing as a revered religious leader came to nothing when Paul came face-to-face with Jesus. However, in his position as the spiritual father of many, he still had authority. How would he use it in his leadership role? On top of this, he has visions of glory that set him apart from all other believers! What an opportunity to get the attention and admiration of the church!

So, God intervened with a knockout blow….suffering! Paul pleaded with him to get this burden of his back so that he could get on with his ministry unhindered.

And God said, “NO!” Suffering was the perfect way to keep Paul where He wanted him, on his knees in utter dependence on Him for grace. Paul’s danger zone was pride…that attitude that says, “I can do this on my own.” it’s the way he had lived before his conversion, self-righteous and self-sufficient. Now he had a new reality to face and overcome, two natures locked in mortal combat, and he had no power to win the fight.

‭Galatians 5:17 NLT‬
[17] “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.”

So, much about what Paul wrote came out of his own spiritual journey. The whole of Romans 7 is auto biographical. Imagine how his fleshly nature would rise up in anger, indignation, and thoughts of retaliation at the treatment he was receiving for preaching the truth about faith in Jesus alone.

‭Galatians 5:11 NLT‬
[11] “Dear brothers and sisters, if I were still preaching that you must be circumcised—as some say I do—why am I still being persecuted? If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended.“

The Jews hated him for preaching a message that took away their self-righteous works for salvation upon which they so fervently depended. Circumcision was their passport to God’s favour but Paul’s preaching negated circumcision.

So, you see, God will use the most effective means in our lives to deal with our pride. Since pride killed Lucifer and Adam, and kills all humanity, pride will destroy our fellowship with God and separate us from Him, if He does not intervene to destroy our pernicious and arrogant self-sufficency.

Jesus said, “Apart from me, you can do nothing!” and He meant it.

Let’s not despise suffering. Let’s welcome and rejoice in God’s goodness because He uses our struggles to hold us close to His heart.