Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion is Matthew 17:1-8 which contains the historical account of the Transfiguration, the mountain-top experience in which Jesus was transfigured before his disciples Peter, James and John;  and “…His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.  And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.”  Matthew 17:2-3. 

 

The verses upon which I want to comment are the following verses 4 and 5.  

                                       

^“4  Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

 ⁵  While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!”  Matthew 17:4-5. 

 

Isn’t Peter’s response so typical of our response to a “spiritual experience”. 

First, we feel compelled to rush to encapsulate it in woefully inadequate words:  “it is good for us to be here”, rather than let the experience “speak for itself” or let someone else more qualified describe it.  Does it really add anything, or rather distract from the experience to tell everyone “it is good for us to be here”? 

Second, we feel compelled to rush to do some work also woefully inadequate.  “I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

Notice God’s response.  “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!”  (Emphasis added.) 

“Cease striving and know that I am God;
         I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  Psalm 46:10. 

But, how we strive!  Whether it be by words or by works, we strive. 

Be silent!  Be still!  Don’t worry!  God will be exalted among the nations.  “Listen to Him!”