After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. ... Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah" (Matthew 17:1-4, NIV)

This passage from Matthew's account of the life of Jesus is usually described as "The Transfiguration." While translations and commentaries vary in their description and explanations of this event, one thing seems to be clear: Peter did not want the moment to end. When Peter experienced the presence of the Lord in this place in such a new and powerful way, he seems to be so overwhelmed that, in his typical fashion, he speaks from his heart: "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." "The Message" has him saying, "Master, this is a great moment!"

My paraphrase would have Peter saying, "Master, this is a great moment! It is so nice here. This is the best I can imagine. Could we just stay here? I wish this time didn't have to end."

The same statement could have been made at other times we find described in Scripture.

• When Adam was presented with a "suitable" mate, he could have said, "Master, this is a great moment!"
• When Moses led his people across the Red Sea on dry ground, he could have said, "Master, this is a great moment!"
• When Nehemiah saw the wall around the city completed, he could have said, "Master, this is a great moment!"
• When David defeated the giant Goliath, he could have said, "Master, this is a great moment!"
• When David was restored to the Lord after he had repented of his adulterous and murderous behavior, he could have said, "Master, this is a great moment!"

There may have been other occasions in the New Testament when these words would have been appropriate.

• When Mary realized that she had been chosen to give birth to the Lord she could have said, "Master, this is a great moment!"
• When Zacchaeus entertained the Lord for dinner, he could have said, "Master, this is a great moment!"
• When the Leper was healed, he could have said, "Master, this is a great moment!"
• When the blind man was given his sight, he could have said, "Master, this is a great moment!"
• When the disciples were having their last supper with the Lord, someone (maybe Peter) could have said, "Master, this is a great moment!"

We have moments in our lives when we could say these words.

• When we propose marriage and the proposal is accepted, we could say, "Master, this is a great moment!"
• When the doctor tells us we are going to be parents, we could say, "Master, this is a great moment!"
• When that child is born, we could say, "Master, this is a great moment!"
• When that child is healthy and happy we could say, "Master, this is a great moment!"
• When we are enjoying a vacation, we could say, "Master, this is a great moment!"
• When we are lost in the freedom of worshipping the Lord we could say, "Master, this is a great moment!"
• When we are enjoying time with family and friends and we cannot imagine life being any better this side of heaven, we could say, "Master, this is a great moment!"

We have these moments in our lives!

There are times and events that are so special, so tender, so God-touched, that we do not want them to end. We wish the feeling to go on and on. We avoid looking at a clock because we do not want to leave or say good-bye. We wish we could sit around the table forever. We may say, "Master, this is a great moment!"

The Lord wants to bless us with great moments. If we are not paying attention we may miss them. However, when we are in step with His Spirit and aware of His presence, we can realize that something special is happening. Even though we may not fully understand all that it means or where it may lead, we can know that we are in the presence of God and squarely in tune with His will. When we do, we should say, "Master, this is a great moment!"

I hope you will have an occasion today that causes you to say, "Master, this is a great moment!"

 

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Title: "A Great Moment!"
Author: Tom Norvell
Publication Date: August 16, 2005

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Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the Hermitage Church of Christ in Hermitage, Tennessee.

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