Scripture:
Mark 9:2-8, 2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son;t listen to him.”8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. (ESV)
Observation:
Peter James and John were a part of something totally unique. We call it the Transfiguration. Jesus was transfigured in all his glory and Elijah & Moses were there with him. Put yourself in Peter, James and John’s shoes for a moment. When they woke up that morning did they ever dream that they would witness something this totally other worldly? I think it’s safe to say it was the furthest thing from their minds. Peter’s suggestion was based on the fact that he was terrified and there was nothing else he could think to say at that moment. Yet there was probably that yearning that this would not go away. That this could be the new norm for these men. And as soon as it happened Elijah and Moses were gone and things were back to normal.
Application:
I had a friend once who used to love to capture the moment. He would say things like, “Isn’t this the most fun we’ve ever had in our whole lives?” Or he would say, “The next forty years every Friday night let’s come and sit at this table at this same restaurant and have a great time!” My friend Bob wanted to hold on to the moment. We can all be that way can’t we? Peter was voicing something to that effect when he made his suggestion. This is so good, let’s do something to artificially keep it this way. I can be guilty of that in my Christian walk. Something happens in a remarkable, miraculous way and I want to bottle it. I want to save it up and keep the feeling or thought going longer than what the Holy Spirit intended. Our lives in Christ are dynamic and moving and not to be bottled up and stored, but experienced and shared with others in the moment.
Prayer:
Father God thank you that you are a God of awesome experiences. Give us the wisdom and discipline to trust you for those special times when it seems more than we can handle. And help us not to work at bottling or hording, but sharing them with those we love and know. I pray these things in Jesus Name, Amen.
dmbaldwin
Sixty-six books in a year 