Mark 9:5-6

Passage

Peter says to Jesus, “Teacher, it is good that we are here.”  Then, Peter tells Jesus that he thinks they should build three portable buildings.  One building would be for Moses, another for Elijah, and another for Jesus.  Peter said this not because it was from God but rather because he was scared and didn’t know how to respond.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Peter opens up his mouth and speaks.  While doing so, some foolish things come out.  Peter doesn’t speak out of his wisdom.  He certainly doesn’t take time to discern God’s will and speak out of that.  Rather, Peter speaks out of his fear.  He doesn’t understand what he is seeing so he feels like he has to say something.  In the end, he just ends up looking stupid.

Why do we usually say things that we regret when we don’t think first?  Why is it sometimes hard to think before we speak?

Second Thought:

Peter asks to build three portable dwelling places.  Now, Peter’s heart – from a human perspective – is absolutely in the right place.  Peter knows that something cool is happening.  In recognizing that God is at work, he wants to stay here and dwell in the moment for as long as possible.  From a human perspective, this is true.

Why is it good to recognize that fundamentally, Peter’s error in these verses is not all bad?  What is the advantage to looking at and critiquing past actions and determining where the good can be found?  Specific to this passage, how do you recognize when God is entering into your life and doing something cool?

Third Thought:

However, from a godly perspective this is absolutely another “Get behind me, satan” moment for Peter.  If God were to listen to Peter and let this moment continue on into perpetuity, the crucifixion would never happened.  The Gentiles would never hear about the grace of God.  The advancement of the Kingdom of God must take precedence over all things – even our desire to stay in the spiritual moment.

Why is it easy to want to stay in the spiritual moment with God?  Why is it necessary to move beyond the spiritual moment and get back to life? 

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 9:7-8