We often hear people speak of "mountain-top experiences" -- certain memorable high points that can change you and how you see things. For Christians, it can be an experience where God seems especially close; where we can feel as if we have seen "the face of God." These moments can give us much hope and encouragement, especially during difficult times. But much as we would love them to last, they don't, and aren't meant to.

In this week's lesson, we find Jesus in a time of transition. He is concluding his time of teaching, and preparing to face his final, challenging days on earth. As part of that transition, he takes three of his disciples with him to the mountaintop, where they see him in a whole new way, and hear the voice of God. Of course they can't stay, and soon they are headed down the mountainside to face challenges they can't begin to imagine or anticipate. It is only later that they will begin to understand.

We, too, have difficulty understanding. We can become confused and think that if God loves us our lives should be easy; that if life is hard, he has forgotten us. But God meets us in the challenges, and very often, that is where he shows us His face. Where will you see the face of God?

The message for March 6th is now ready for download.

You may also be interested in reading an article mentioned in the message -- Why Evangelicals Hate Jesus, from the Huffington Post: "Evangelicals don't exactly hate Jesus -- they do love him dearly. But not because of what he tried to teach humanity. Rather, Evangelicals love Jesus for what he does for them..."