Mountain Top Experiences in Matthew
The expression “mountain top experience” actually comes from Matthew (and the other gospels) which relate the joy and amazement of the disciples when they saw Jesus being transfigured, but then found themselves in immediate conflict when they descended. It occurs to me that there are several “mountains” in Matthew.
At least one of the temptations happened on a mountain. (Matthew 4:8). Many have opined that this would not have been a literal mountain since there is no mountain high enough to see the entire world but may have been a vision or some other type of temptation experience. In any event, this mountain experience is hardly a good one!
Shortly after the temptation scene, Jesus gathers his disciples together on a mountain to instruct them. Large crowds also gather to overhear what Jesus teaches his disciples. One might say that the temptation to follow Satan in chapter 4 is being appropriately answered and countered with chapters 5-7. Jesus will not force the world to worship him by coercion, and divine (or demonic) power. Instead, he gathers disciples and teaches them in front of a watching world. This is still the model for how Jesus will have power over all the nations.
In Matthew 14:23, Jesus sent away the crowds and went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. Again, I love to see this peaceful scene in contrast to the first experience with Satan. Instead of being alone with Satan, he is now alone with his Father. What a wonderful contrast!
Later, Jesus again climbs a mountain and is followed by large crowds. He heals many before becoming concerned that they would need to be fed before he sent them home. Thus he fed 4,000 with 7 loaves of bread and a few fish. (see Matthew 15:29-39)
Of course, the mountain top experience we usually are referring to when we use that moniker is found in Matthew 17:1ff, where Jesus is transfigured in the presence of Peter, James, and John.
On Thursday night of the week Jesus was killed, he gathered with his disciples and had a meal, which he gave new meaning as the “Lord's Supper” or Eucharist. When the meal concluded, they sang a hymn and then went to the Mount of Olives. In the mountain top experience described above, the divinity of Jesus was firmly established. In this mountain experience, we see his humanity on clear display. The Mount of Olives becomes a place of great grief for him, just as it had for his ancestor King David centuries before.
After his resurrection, Jesus gathered his disciples to a certain chosen mountain. There he identified that he had accomplished the goal Satan held out to him. He had all power and authority. He was properly worshipped by his disciples. He did not reach this mountain through demonic means, but by the unexpected divine means of self-sacrifice. He did not force anyone to believe but was himself the victim of violent coercion. His conquering resurrection demonstrated that worship truly is the proper response to his person. With that in mind, the mission to the world began on that mountain.