Luke 9:28-36 (NRSV)
Read Luke 9:28-36 on biblegateway.com
Verse 28Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. Verse 29And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Verse 30Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. Verse 31They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Verse 32Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Verse 33Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" -not knowing what he said. Verse 34While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Verse 35Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" Verse 36When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
Devotion
“Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”
One of my teachers said, “I can’t learn anything new, when I am the one doing the speaking.” I am a preacher. Quite often, I am the one doing the speaking. The temptation is to fall in love with the sound of my own voice — to speak more than I listen.
I understand why Peter started to make suggestions in the middle of his experience on the mountain top. I believe that I understand why God silenced him. Peter could not speak and listen at the same time; neither can you or I.
Through the words of his Son, God gives us new life. There is a time to be still and listen. There is a time to speak and proclaim the Good News, which we have received in our stillness.
Prayer
Lord, open our ears to hear your word; open our minds to understand; open our hearts to believe. Amen.