Word@Work Luke149 - Luke 9:33
Published: Mon, 07/19/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
SPEAKING WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE
Luke 9:33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, 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 he was saying.) (NIV)
Some people seem to have an urge to respond to something they do not understand, by speaking, however inappropriately. That was Peter. The glory covering Jesus and the appearance of Moses and Elijah was way outside his experience, yet he proposed a response.
We do not know the thoughts in Peter's mind, but here are some possibilities: perhaps he felt that he should know what to do, as the most assertive of the three disciples with Jesus on the mountain, and opened his mouth while the others stayed silent. Or, the episode in Exodus 24:9-11 could have been on his mind: when Moses took Aaron, Nadab and Abihu to witness the covenant that God had made, eating together afterwards. Maybe he was fazed by the transfiguration and wanted to find a way of being in control, or to prolong the glorious experience (he spoke as Moses and Elijah were saying farewell to Jesus). Whatever his thoughts, it is obvious that he felt that it was his responsibility to supply traditional hospitality to Jesus (the Messiah), Moses (the Law) and Elijah (the Prophets): yet he failed to see that he was there by God's invitation, and Peter was the guest not the host.
It was not until later that the disciples understood the significance of that day (2 Peter 1:16-21). However, like Peter, we can make similar mistakes when God graciously exposes us to His Word and His power. The truth is that God does many things which we cannot properly understand at the time. Like Job and his companions, God sometimes has to tell us to 'get off the stage', because we are pathetically incompetent to know what God is doing. Rebuking Job, God said, "Who is that that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?" (Job 38:1-2). As Psalm 46:10 says, often our best response to what God allows - is to be still, and know that God is God indeed!
Prayer: Almighty God. I know that You are so much greater than me in every way. Please forgive me when I attempt to define what I do not understand or to manage Your business without Your authority. Help me to be an attentive observer of what I do not understand, treasuring and pondering all Your words and works in my heart, like Mary did, until You reveal their purpose. Help me to learn a new humility about all I cannot see or understand so that I may grow in awe and confidence that You are truly in command. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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Some people seem to have an urge to respond to something they do not understand, by speaking, however inappropriately. That was Peter. The glory covering Jesus and the appearance of Moses and Elijah was way outside his experience, yet he proposed a response.
We do not know the thoughts in Peter's mind, but here are some possibilities: perhaps he felt that he should know what to do, as the most assertive of the three disciples with Jesus on the mountain, and opened his mouth while the others stayed silent. Or, the episode in Exodus 24:9-11 could have been on his mind: when Moses took Aaron, Nadab and Abihu to witness the covenant that God had made, eating together afterwards. Maybe he was fazed by the transfiguration and wanted to find a way of being in control, or to prolong the glorious experience (he spoke as Moses and Elijah were saying farewell to Jesus). Whatever his thoughts, it is obvious that he felt that it was his responsibility to supply traditional hospitality to Jesus (the Messiah), Moses (the Law) and Elijah (the Prophets): yet he failed to see that he was there by God's invitation, and Peter was the guest not the host.
It was not until later that the disciples understood the significance of that day (2 Peter 1:16-21). However, like Peter, we can make similar mistakes when God graciously exposes us to His Word and His power. The truth is that God does many things which we cannot properly understand at the time. Like Job and his companions, God sometimes has to tell us to 'get off the stage', because we are pathetically incompetent to know what God is doing. Rebuking Job, God said, "Who is that that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?" (Job 38:1-2). As Psalm 46:10 says, often our best response to what God allows - is to be still, and know that God is God indeed!
Prayer: Almighty God. I know that You are so much greater than me in every way. Please forgive me when I attempt to define what I do not understand or to manage Your business without Your authority. Help me to be an attentive observer of what I do not understand, treasuring and pondering all Your words and works in my heart, like Mary did, until You reveal their purpose. Help me to learn a new humility about all I cannot see or understand so that I may grow in awe and confidence that You are truly in command. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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