What Jesus Did : Mark 9:5-6 - Speaking Without Knowing
by Phil Ware
Speaking Without Knowing - Mark 9:5-6
Peter said to Jesus, "Teacher, it is good that we are here. We will put three tents here—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." Peter did not know what to say, because he and the other two followers were very afraid. (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
Peter's words, though well intentioned, are ludicrous. Some moments need to be held in silent awe. Words shouldn't desecrate the moment. Rather than trying to be the wise one, the outspoken one, and the one who leads the pack, sometimes we need to be silent and let God reveal the meaning and the power of the moment. Peter couldn't grasp that Jesus was so far superior to the others. Even with that ignorance, however, he should have waited in awe until God's will was revealed rather than trying to speak when he didn't know what to say!
Today's Prayer
O God, forgive me for trying to always have words when my awe-filled and reverent silence should be the gift I offer in the presence of your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Then Jesus said, "I tell you the truth. Some of you people standing here will see the kingdom of God come before you die. The kingdom of God will come with power." Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John and went up on a high mountain. They were all alone there. While these followers watched him, Jesus was changed. Jesus' clothes became shining white. The clothes were whiter than any person could make them. Then two men were there, talking with Jesus. The men were Elijah and Moses. Peter said to Jesus, "Teacher, it is good that we are here. We will put three tents here—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." Peter did not know what to say, because he and the other two followers were very afraid. Then a cloud came and covered them. A voice came from the cloud and said, "This (Jesus) is my Son and I love him. Obey him!" Then Peter, James, and John looked, but they saw only Jesus there alone with them. Jesus and the followers were walking back down the mountain. Jesus commanded the followers, "Don't tell any person about the things you saw on the mountain. Wait until after the Son of Man rises from death. Then you can tell people what you saw." So the followers obeyed Jesus and said nothing about what they saw. But they discussed what Jesus meant about rising from death. The followers asked Jesus, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" Jesus answered, "They are right to say that Elijah must come first. Elijah makes all things the way they should be. But why does the Scripture say that the Son of Man will suffer much and that people will think he is worth nothing? I tell you that Elijah has already come. And people did to him all the {bad} things they wanted to do. The Scriptures said this would happen to him."-- Mark 9:1-13 (ERV)
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