URC Daily Devotion 30 January 2026

St Matthew 17: 1 – 13

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.  Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.  But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”  When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.  But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.”  Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

Reflection

Being on top of a mountain has many attractions.  Firstly you can get a great view. You are able to see things laid out below you. You can see the plans people have laid. You can see the relationship of one thing to another, you can see the links between them. You can draw back from the detail and see the outline and the organisation of things. Things can be seen much more clearly from on top of a mountain. 

Secondly you might see things differently. You may get to see the tops of the clouds instead of just the underneath of them, as we do most days. You can also see further. You get to see what lies beyond our current day to day existence. You get to see the bigger picture. You can see how our daily lives fit into the bigger world around us. Sometimes, dauntingly, you get to see the hills that lie beyond the current ones we are climbing, but at least that allows us to plan ahead.

Every year the Church goes mountain climbing.  Along with Peter, James and John, we follow Jesus up the hill.  On that mountain top Jesus’ figure changes and the outside of him, which had been ordinary and like us, shines as if he is not like one of us. On the mountain top we see him as he really is.  God’s glory is revealed.  

Where is your mountain top? Where do you go to withdraw from the bustle of everyday life to see the fullness of God’s glory. It could be a riverside or a cliff top or a beach. Perhaps it is a favourite view you have of the country, or the coast, or even a city or town. Or is your mountain top found in music – a favourite recording, or a live performance that you can experience in a hall or theatre or even simply at home on your tv or radio. Perhaps your mountain top is found in worship in your local church.  Wherever it is, take time to meet with Jesus and be dazzled by what he is doing in your life.

Prayer

Holy and loving God – whose nature and ways are far beyond our understanding, we thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus – who lets us see your face in his, who shows us your love in his actions, your grace in his manner of being.  In him too, O God, we see ourselves as you would have us be and as your power is able to make us.  Make us more like him we pray.  Amen

Written by John Maynard, and posted on https://re-worship.blogspot.com.