Here are links to articles that update us on some of the recent events in GCI-Philippines:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
My close friends are amused knowing I’m no fan of mountain climbing (nor hiking, for that matter). When asked if I want to go for “a walk,” I typically ask a few questions before answering. Will it be a brief, casual walk, or a hike (and do they know the difference)? If it will be longer than a Sabbath day’s journey, it falls into the category of a hike. If it requires changing into another style of shoes, it’s a hike. If it requires walking on an incline for more than 25 feet, it’s a hike. I developed these qualifying criteria (along with a few others) after starting out on too many walks only to discover they were actually hikes. I’ve done my share of hiking, including some mountain climbing, and for me the thrill is gone. While my friends take their hikes, I’m happy to sit comfortably sheltered with a good book and a nice beverage, awaiting their return.
That being said, there was a journey about 2,000 years ago to the top of a mountain that perhaps gave rise to the common phrase, “mountaintop experience.” What happened there is known as the transfiguration—an event recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Had I been invited to take part, I assure you I would not have hesitated (despite my no-hike rule!). Why? Because the leader was none other than the one who calmed storms, pulled money from a fish’s mouth, fed masses, and healed all kinds of diseases. I gladly would have climbed the mountain of transfiguration with Jesus. I’m sure you feel the same.
On Transfiguration Sunday (February 7, this year), many Christians commemorate the transfiguration as an event of great significance in helping us understand our new covenant relationship with Jesus. I believe one of the best ways to understand that event is to be reminded of the prominent role that mountains play in several of the Old Testament stories. Mt. Ararat is where Noah’s ark came to rest. Mt. Moriah is where God provided a lamb for Abraham to sacrifice in place of Isaac. Mt. Sinai is where the Ten Commandments (the covenant between Israel and God) were given. Mt. Nebo is where Moses was allowed to see the Promised Land before he died. Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal together formed an amphitheater where the people heard proclaimed the old covenant blessings and curses. Mt. Carmel is where the showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal took place. Mt. Zion is where the city of Jerusalem was built. When mountains are part of the story, something big is going on!
According to the New Testament, Jesus took Peter, James and John to a mountaintop to pray. Luke tells us that as Jesus was praying there, his appearance changed, and his clothes “became as bright as a flash of lightning” (Luke 9:29). And if that isn’t mountain-topping enough, Moses and Elijah suddenly appeared, also in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus about his death, resurrection and ascension—the text says, “They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:31). Luke then adds this:
Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his [Jesus’] glory and the two men [Moses and Elijah] standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. (He did not know what he was saying).” (Luke 9:32-33)
Talk about the ultimate mountaintop experience! Having just awakened, Peter likely could not believe his eyes, and can you imagine what he was thinking at the time? “This is great… I don’t want this to end… let’s stay here awhile.” In the midst of his excitement he suggested the immediate building of “three shelters” (booths or tabernacles). But before Peter could say more, a cloud appeared and covered them and they became frightened. And if that wasn’t amazing enough, they heard a voice from heaven saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him” (Luke 9:35); or “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5); or “This is my son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (Mark 9:7). According to Luke, when the voice finished speaking, the disciples “found that Jesus was alone” (Luke 9:36). The point being made for the benefit of these three disciples (and all others both then and now) is this: Jesus is supreme. He is superior to the Law (represented by Moses) and the Prophets (represented by Elijah). These twin pillars of the old covenant administration not only point to Jesus, but pale in significance before him.
As the old covenant faded from view, Jesus, the new covenant, remained with them. Only one luminary was now present for the disciples to honor and, with Jesus revealed for who he truly is, for them to worship. Given that revelation, there was no need to erect a shelter (a tabernacle, which is an old covenant custom). I believe this revelation also was showing these disciples something of the mysterious reality that theologians refer to as the hypostatic union—the miraculous joining of two natures (human and divine) in the one person of Jesus—a joining that (in the words of the Council of Chalcedon of AD 451) is “without confusion, without change, without division, without separation.”
Though it’s hard to know exactly what James, John and Peter understood at that moment, over time, through the illumination given by the Holy Spirit, they clearly got the point as we see in their New Testament writings. In his epistle, James alludes to the transfiguration in referring to “the Lord of glory” (James 2:1 ESV). In his Gospel, John refers to the transfiguration in writing that, “we have seen his glory” (John 1:14 ESV). And in one of his epistles, Peter refers to the transfiguration this way:
For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. (2 Peter 1:16-18)
What a journey (what a hike) these disciples had with Jesus! And our Lord continues to move his followers forward, “from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV). We journey on as we participate with Jesus in his ongoing ministry, through the Spirit, to the world—a life that includes sharing in both his joys and sufferings. Let us keep our hiking boots on so we may continue following, knowing that he is leading us toward the mountaintop experience above all others—the moment of our glorification when we’ll see Jesus “face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12). God speed that day!
Hiking with you,
Joseph Tkach
In last week’s issue of GCI Weekly Update we announced the availability of a new tri-fold evangelistic brochure with an invitation to attend that can be adapted by congregations or ministries for their own use. Since that post, we’ve made some improvements and corrected a couple of errors.
To download the revised version, click here.
This update is excerpted from a report prepared by Leslie Asare Akoto and Francis Ablordeppey.
GCI’s YEP youth camp in Ghana recently held a two week session with about 150 campers and 60 staff members. The camp theme, based on 1 Peter 2:9, was “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood.” The campers, who came from different parts of Ghana and Nigeria, included refugees from Liberia and the Ivory Coast who are staying in a refugee camp in Ghana.
Camp activities included Bible Study, Christian Living classes, fireside chats, hiking, swimming, softball, batik tie & dye, initiative training, cooking & nutrition, and volleyball. A “YEP awareness time” enabled campers and staff to go into communities around the camp to inform parents and their wards about the youth camp and its benefits and also to invite them to attend the camp’s opening day set aside for visitors. As a result, about 37 children visited the camp and a local TV news crew also visited, covering some of the camp’s activities that occurred on Christmas Day. What they filmed was aired on national TV later that afternoon.
The campers enjoyed a Christmas Eve praise and worship session that included praising God in song and dance. A similar session was also held on New Years Eve. The campers were spiritually filled, pleased and blessed to usher in the New Year in this way (which included fireworks to thank God for keeping them through another year). The campers also enjoyed a party at the Tills Beach Resort.
On the last day of camp, 17 youth accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior through baptism. The baptisms were performed by pastors Emmanuel Okai and Francis Ablordeppey.
On the last evening of camp there was a beautiful banquet where campers and staff were awarded certificates for participation and for excelling in particular activities.
Last week in GCI Weekly Update we featured the topic of evangelism. We continue that focus here with an Alliance Life article from Steve Irvin who notes that some Christians give up on evangelism due to a perceived lack of fruit. But Steve urges us to not give up, and instead rethink our approach to evangelism, “giving the Gospel a chance” in light of the fact that “Jesus earned the right to be heard.” To read his thought-provoking article, click here.
Here is a prayer request for Donna Bechthold, wife of Glenn Bechthold who formerly pastored one of GCI’s congregations in the San Diego, California, area.
In 2009, Donna was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Then in 2011 she had a bout with bacterial meningitis, resulting in a coma that she miraculously pulled out of. She had been holding her own for a while, but just after Christmas 2015, she began having cognitive difficulties and went to the hospital for tests. An MRI revealed five tumors in her brain that could be melanoma. The largest is about the size of a grape (2.5 cm). She started a round of five radiation treatments on January 20. The treatments are going well, and on January 28 a PET scan appeared to be clear. One more treatment was to have occurred on February 1, then they will wait two months and have another MRI. Please pray for Donna, Glenn and the whole Bechthold family.
Cards may be sent to:
Glenn and Donna Bechthold
2420 La Costa Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92009-7301
