Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. (Mark 9:5-6 NRSV Bible)
It is said that a good secretary is one who often "covers" for the boss, and makes the boss look good when the boss does something stupid. Hence, Mark, the secretary to Peter, tells us that Peter's remarks on the occasion of Jesus' transfiguration were caused by fear. But Mark's report of this incident reinforces Peter's reputation for only opening his mouth at awkward moments. As Halford Luccock says in the Interpreter's Bible, "This was not a particularly bright remark of Peter. Mark apologies for him on the grounds that being afraid he did not know what to say."

Have you ever said the wrong thing at the wrong time? I sure have. I've said a lot of dumb things in my many years in the ministry. I've said things which I wanted to come out one way, but in the pressure of the moment they came out in another way. It is like squeezing out all of the tooth paste and then trying to put it back in the tube. It is hard to do.

I have said some embarrassing things over the years. Therefore, I can sympathize with Peter on the occasion described in our Scripture. I can also sympathize with whoever it was who said, commenting on our text for the morning, "Blessed are they who, when they do not know what to say, refrain from saying it." Thank goodness we have a forgiving God.

Dear God, may I use my words to bring you honor! Amen.

Ron Newhouse

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