Peter is easy for me to understand. One day I’d like to pull out all the verses that start with “Simon Peter answered” or “Peter said to Jesus”. He seemed to have no problem inserting himself into a conversation! Such is the case in Matthew 17. Peter has just been the one to speak up and declare that Jesus is the Son of God. Then he takes Jesus aside and rebukes Him. If the contrast of those two situations isn’t enough, now he says something I confess leaves me shaking my head. Peter has once again been singled out with James and John for some special time with Jesus. Jesus takes them to the top of a mountain, and there before their eyes, changes. “His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light.” Then Moses and Elijah appear. What a scene! What does Peter have to say now? “I can’t believe my eyes?” “Why did He choose me to see this?” No, he says: “Lord, it’s 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.” Huh? Shelters? What is Peter thinking? Mark says he was so frightened he didn’t know what he was saying. And yet he spoke. Boy can I relate! Words tumble out of my mouth before I can stop them. I don’t know what to say, but I’m uncomfortable saying nothing. Silence is difficult for me. I think it was for Peter too. Even when the “glory of the Lord” was right before his eyes, he could not be quiet! Many times in Scripture, Peter opens his mouth and takes a big bite of his foot! But there is something else that strikes me about this story. Out of all the people around Jesus, he chose Peter to be especially close to him. On many occasions Jesus singles him out and asks him to speak. He does this later in the same chapter. Jesus asks “What do you think, Simon?” This talker finds great comfort in those words. Could the Lord of the earth be interested in what I have to say? Wow! Even in my weakness, Jesus desires relationship with me and assigns value to my thoughts and words. Thank you, Jesus, for hearing all my words and understanding the heart behind them.
Julie Hallman
February 21
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The story of the young rich man in Ch. 19 gets me after reading it sometimes bc I don't think it's asking for us to give up everything or is it? A lot of us have been blessed with so much and "much" can be very subjective so I guess we shouldn't live in excess??? I take it as more of an example instead of being explicit.
ReplyDeleteJulie, that is a great post and I'm sitting here just agreeing with you.....I'm one like that and I'm glad that Jesus realizes it and understands it too.
ReplyDelete