"And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, 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 to say, they were so frightened.)"
- Mark 9:4–6 (NIV11)
Jesus led Peter, James and John to a high mountain where Jesus was transfigured before their very eyes. The Jesus whom they had known for the past three years was suddenly, mysteriously, gloriously transfigured in dazzling brilliance as the prophets Elijah and Moses appeared with him. What do you say when the Jesus you have come to know, renders you awestruck once again by revealing himself in a way you have never experienced before?
Well ... Peter babbled. Frightened and unable to process the magnitude of this mystical moment, Peter was trying to do something, anything to feel useful and proactive: "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Now-a-days we might say, "Let's get a picture or selfie to memorialize this special occasion."
Well ... Peter babbled. Frightened and unable to process the magnitude of this mystical moment, Peter was trying to do something, anything to feel useful and proactive: "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Now-a-days we might say, "Let's get a picture or selfie to memorialize this special occasion."
As was the case with Peter, James and John our mystical encounters with Jesus, in prayer and in worship, can also leave us at a loss for words. In those moments of divine revelation our first instinct is to want to do something. Our brains race to find something to do, something to say, something to make the encounter more meaningful, memorable and productive. And so we busy ourselves ineptly babbling to God about doing this and that, when maybe we should be silent and mindful in his presence, allowing God to transform us anew through a refreshing revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer:
Loving Father through whom we are introduced to the saving work of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, prepare our hearts and minds for the journey set before us, as we travel with Jesus into Jerusalem to face the cross that would make redemption and life eternal possible to all who believe in him. Amen.
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