Thursday, May 14, 1998
Thursday, May 14, 1998
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)
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 dumb 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 to change feet. As
Halford Luccock says in the Interpreter's Bible: "This was not a particularly bright remark
of Peter's and Mark apologizes for him on the ground 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 another. Many years ago I was giving a sermon on love
around Valentines day. I wanted to make the point that love is more than an emotion. I said that
my wife and I love each other, but sometimes we cannot stand to be in the same room. Then there
other times when we couldn't want to get to the bedroom! I meant to say there are times when
we couldn't stand to be apart.
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.
Prayer: Dear God, may I use my words to bring you honor! Amen.
Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA