Standing on Temple Mount in Jerusalem, I was surprised to see and hear many birds. The entire rock structure is home to numerous species of birds singing in chorus. Much of the Judaic/Palestinian landscape is desert which made the music of the birds a surreal moment of intense presence. I often think of that vivid moment in time when I am trying to calm an ever-busy mind.
I’ve had a working theory for years that what culture often calls “nostalgia” is actually a deep desire to be wholly present in life. Someone might say they miss the “good ole days” and then reminisce about a particular moment in time that floods them with warm and emotionally satisfying memories. For some, this nostalgic longing for better days and a time that has passed is possibly a desire in the present to be as completely present in this moment, alive and undistracted by anything else, as they were on that day that they remember so vividly.
In today’s culture, stripping our heart, mind, and soul of the anxiety for tomorrow and the regret of yesterday takes determination and discipline. To “set your mind on things above, not on earthly things” (Col 3:2) is a skill that takes consistency and practice to master. For many, it is a lifelong struggle.
Do I have to travel all the way back to Jerusalem to experience a moment when life is vividly real, and I am intensely present? Why do we long for and search for these moments? I believe it is because when yesterday and tomorrow are put in their place, the present is where we most powerfully encounter the presence of God.
The Disciples on a Different Mount
In the Gospel of Matthew (17:1-8), the disciples Peter, James, and John climb with Jesus to the top of a different mountain. Although not named in scripture, many scholars believe the location was Mount Tabor, which stands some 1,800 feet above sea level and roughly 95 miles from Jerusalem.
When they reach the top of the mountain, Jesus is transfigured to a bright, divine appearance. Moses and Elijah appear alongside Jesus and begin talking with him. A bright cloud engulfed the mountain top where they stood, and the voice of God tells the disciples that Jesus is God’s Son. The disciples are instructed to “listen to Him” (Mat 17:5).
I note several things about this passage:
· Jesus took only Peter, James, and John. It was a “by invitation only” event.
· Moses and Elijah are sent to strengthen Jesus, discuss upcoming events, and act as a miraculous confirmation that this is a true act of God. In Jewish thought, truth is established by three witnesses- Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.
· God specifically identifies Jesus as His Son and commands Peter, James, and John to listen to Jesus. God spoke directly to the disciples, not to the men standing on the mount. There is purpose in the moment. They were an invited audience meant to be eyewitnesses of God’s declaration and the glory of Christ. They were instructed not to speak of this event until after Christ's ascension.
The Purpose of Presence
How did these three disciples find themselves present in the presence of God? They followed Jesus. I’m only assuming that it is an exhausting effort to climb 1,800 feet to the top of a mountain in the wilderness. They followed Jesus to a secluded place of solitude. They left their homes, careers, calendars, and worries to follow Jesus’ invitation to know Him better.
Two takeaways:
1. When I am present with Jesus, God is present with me. It’s not easy to walk away from our TVs, computers, friends, family, work, hobbies, worries, and comforts. Sometimes, Jesus asks us to do without and to be uncomfortable so that we can be fully present with Him.
2. The moment of presence the disciples enjoyed had a purpose. They were eyewitnesses to a supernatural experience that prepared them for future events. In the weeks and months to come, these three disciples would witness the traumatic and horrific death of Jesus. They would then be sent into a hostile world with a hard-to-believe story that Jesus rose from the grave. If they ever doubted the identity of Jesus, they could remember that vivid experience on the mountain in the presence of God.
If you’re ever feeling nostalgic for former days in your life, consider why that time was so important to you. Was it a moment when you felt so present and aware of the goodness of life that you want to go back?
May we each allow Jesus to lead us into solitude so that we may experience the joy of being in his presence. For myself, I pray that I am everyday conscious of the goodness of life and God’s presence so that I feel like I am back on Temple Mount in Jerusalem, listening to the birds singing in chorus.
Lord All-Powerful,
how lovely is your Temple!
I want more than anything
to be in the courtyards of the Lord’s Temple.
My whole being wants
to be with the living God.
The sparrows have found a home,
and the swallows have nests.
They raise their young near your altars,
Lord All-Powerful, my King and my God.
Happy are the people who live at your Temple;
they are always praising you. Selah Psalm 84:1-4
.Copyright @ TA Boland 2025
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