Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men [Elijah and Moses] 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.)
While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen, listen to Him.” (Luke 9:32-35)
This is Luke’s account of the Transfiguration of Jesus (i.e., the full display of Jesus’ glory which was normally veiled by His human flesh). Peter, John and James were privileged to see Jesus in His glory and get a foretaste of the kingdom of God (9:27).
I love Peter in this account. When he fully awakes from his sleepy condition, he is surprised to see Jesus in His glory talking to Moses and Elijah. I am not sure how he recognized Moses and Elijah. Either God simply revealed to his mind who they were or Peter picked up on who they were based on their appearance and their conversation with Jesus. In any case, Peter is totally blown away by what he sees.
Not knowing what to do, Peter speaks. The silence is too much for him. He has to say something. So he does. “Master, let’s build three shelters so each of you can stay here for awhile.” I like how Luke puts it…”He did not know what he was saying.”
Sometimes our mouths speak before our brain is engaged. We speak because the silence is too much for us. We somehow think that saying something is better than remaining silent. Unfortunately, in this case, Peter should have stayed silent. Luke says that while Peter was speaking suddenly a cloud enveloped them and a voice said emphatically, “This is my Son…Listen to Him!”
It is a simple fact of life that when we are speaking we are not listening. On the Mount of Transfiguration, the revelation of Jesus’ glory, all God wanted the disciples to do was to stand in awe and listen. To soak in the moment, to realize who Jesus was, and to allow God to transform their hearts. Peter’s talking interrupted this process. It prevented him from hearing God and caused him to say things that were entirely inappropriate. Elijah, Moses, and Jesus were not on the mountain to stay, they were on the mountain to talk about Jesus’ departure (9:31).
By not listening, Peter was missing the point. Peter wanted them all to stay; Jesus knew that to fulfill God’s plan He needed to depart. This is the same problem Peter suffered from when after declaring, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” he immediately begins to rebuke Christ for talking about His rejection and death. Jesus sternly replies, “Get thee behind me, Satan!” Peter’s failure to listen and penchant for talking actually put him in spiritual jeopardy.
I wonder if I talk too much (don’t answer anyone :>). I wonder if instead of simply listening to God I spend too much time trying to figure out what to say and what to do for God. “God, can I build You some shelters? What can I do now, God?” Instead, God replies, “This is My Son. Listen to Him.” Just listen. Learn to stand in awe and listen. Then I will hear and then I will follow as God wants me to follow.
Lord, teach me to stop talking and learn to listen to Your voice.
BTW…let me put in a little plug for the movie, The Nativity Story. It is a faithful depiction of the biblical story and it impacted my heart, reminding me of the beauty and reality of Christ’s birth. I would encourage you to see it before Christmas.