What Jesus Did! 'A Time for Silence' — Luke 9:32-34

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Peter and the others had fallen asleep [at Jesus' transfiguration]. When they woke up, they saw Jesus' glory and the two men standing with him. As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, "Master, it's wonderful for us to be here! Let's make three shelters as memorials — one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." But even as he was saying this, a cloud overshadowed them, and terror gripped them as the cloud covered them.
— Luke 9:32-34 NLT

Key Thought

I can identify with Peter, can't you? He woke up and saw a once-in-a-lifetime event and did not know what to do or say. Humility and awe would suggest that he remain silent and take his cue from Jesus. Instead, Peter talked when it was really a time for silence. [1] However, his impertinent and shallow comments were put in their place as the following event humbled him into terror. Reverence, awe, and listening were the proper responses to a magnificent glimpse of Jesus in his glory!

[1] The need for silence is reinforced in other translations that include the statement that Peter didn't know what he was saying (e.g., Luke 9:33 NIV).

Today's Prayer

O gracious heavenly Father, please forgive my compulsion to speak when I should be reverently silent. Humble me gently and help me see my proper response in the presence of your glorious Son with whom there is no equal, rival, or comparison. In his name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

'Listen to Him!'
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, To whom are you listening? Let Me put that in plainer language, but poorer English: Who are you listening to most in your life? The....."
Sloggin' Through
Article by Phil Ware
How are you going to get it all done? A plan to help us get things done we need to get done in a world of too much to do.

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 9:32-34 NLT — "Master, it's wonderful for us to be here! Let's make three shelters as memorials — one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'False Gods' (1 Co. 8:7-13)
"Dear Father, the one real and only God, Many do not understand that all reality is rooted in you, so they chase the "gods" of this world, the "idols"..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Psalms 22:14
"Did earth or heaven ever behold a sadder spectacle of woe! In soul and body, our Lord felt himself to be weak as water poured upon the ground. The..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by John Irving:
"Without somehow destroying me in the process, how could God reveal himself in a way that would leave no room for doubt? If there were no room for doubt, there...."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'God Our Strength' (Ps. 81:1-3)
"Sing praises to God, our strength. Sing to the God of Jacob. Sing! Beat the tambourine. Play the sweet lyre and the harp. Blow the ram's horn at new....."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!