“Peter exclaimed, ‘Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified.” (Mark 9:5–6 nlt)
Sometimes the words just hang in the air for a moment. That awful moment when you realize too late that you should have kept quiet. That moment when you and the people listening to you silently ask the same question: Why did you just say that?
When was the last time you said something that you wish you hadn’t said? Something that may have sounded perfect in your head as the words were formulating, but somehow turned unbelievably lame as they left your mouth?
It happens to the best of us. It happened to Peter. At just about the worst time imaginable.
Jesus had led Peter, James, and John, the disciples in his inner circle, up a mountain for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The event is known as the Transfiguration. God briefly allowed Jesus’ disciples to see Jesus in His glory. Jesus’ face and clothes suddenly shone like the sun. Moses and Elijah, two of the most revered figures in Jewish history, appeared and spoke with Him.
It would be hard to imagine a more profound, life-changing experience. It would be hard to imagine a scene more fitting for respectful, awestruck silence. It would be hard to imagine a situation less suited for Peter.
Unable to contain himself, Peter interrupted the conversation—once again, involving Jesus, Moses, and Elijah—to blurt out, “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Mark 9:5 nlt). Mark adds this interesting commentary: “He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified” (verse 6 nlt).
I wonder if Moses turned to Jesus and asked, “Who is that guy?”
Or if Jesus rolled His eyes a little and replied, “Oh, that’s Rock. Never mind.”
How easily thoughts can jump into our minds and then out of our mouths before we fully process them. How much better would it be if we could just hit a momentary delay button and ask ourselves, “Is this the right thing to say? Would this be an appropriate statement to make? Would this glorify the Lord?”
As the old proverb says, “Better to be silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”
The author of Ecclesiastes wrote, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. . . . A time to be quiet and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7). If you don’t know how to “tell the time” where your tongue is concerned, ask God to help you. James 1:5 says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you” (nlt).
Reflection question: When is it appropriate for you to be quiet?
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Greg Laurie is the pastor and founder of the Harvest churches in California and Hawaii and of Harvest Crusades. He is an evangelist, best-selling author, and movie producer. His latest film ‘Jesus Revolution,’ from Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company, is now available on-demand worldwide.
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