The Bible records in the gospel according to Dr. Luke, the account of the transfiguration of Jesus, wherein he was glorified and affirmed of his sonship by God (Luke 9:28-36). But what is often missed are the action and words of Peter and the other disciples, which is of significance, during Jesus’ transfiguration. First, the disciples of Jesus, Peter, James and John, awoke from their sleep. Second, they saw the glorified Jesus and his servants, Moses and Elias. Third, Peter responded by saying to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make you and your servants tabernacles.”
Many continue to be heavy in sleep, even as Jesus is being transfigured in all of his glory in this world. We must first awake, but awaking alone is not sufficient. We must seek to see and see Jesus in all of his glory that is implicit in his creation and explicit through his character as revealed and evident in the Holy Bible. Third, we must recognize Jesus to be our Master. In other words, we must recognize our place as faithful servants of his, ready to serve him at his call and command. Fourth, only when we experience and enjoy his communion and fellowship with us, we can say “It is good for us to be here (in his presence)”. Finally, we must be zealous about building in ourselves first and then in others, the tabernacle for Jesus to reside.
Points to ponder:
Are you/Am I sleeping or awake?
Are you/Am I seeing Jesus in all of his glory or have we been blinded by the devil, lest we see the glorious truth of the gospel in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4)?
Are you/Am I recognizing that Jesus is the Master and that we ought to be his faithful servants?
Are you/Am I experiencing God’s presence with us in the person of Jesus Christ, so much so that we can truly tell him, “Master, It is good for us (not anyone else) to be here.”?
Are you/Am I zealous about letting Jesus tabernacle in our hearts?
As disciples of Jesus, we must be able to say to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here”, but what is more important is, can Jesus, our Master and Savior, who tabernacles within us (for we are the temple of the Holy God – 1 Corinthians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 4:7) say of you and me, “Servant, It is good for us* to be here (in you).”
* = The Triune God in One; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Luke 9:28-36 (KJV)
28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.
