During the Transfiguration (see Mark 9), we see this
interaction:
“[Jesus’] clothes became dazzling white, whiter than
anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah
and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good
for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and
one for Elijah.”
Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came
from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
Father showed me some more of me in this story, today. It
wasn’t about Pete freaking out by his mentor glowing in the dark. It wasn’t
about him consulting with a couple of (presumably) dead guys. That’s gnarly,
but we’ve seen that for years.
We know that Pete proposed putting up some buildings
because he was freaked out. But I’d never before noticed that the fisherman was proposing a construction project to Jesus who was a) a trained carpenter, and b) the Master
Builder of … well, of everything.
And I realized how many times I’ve done that: offered to
do “something that I can do” to my king and mentor who a) can do it better than
I can, and b) has seen this opportunity from before the foundation of the
world, and already has a plan for taking care of it.
But I come toddling along, feeling kinda powerless in the
situation, wanting to find SOME way to be useful: “Here, let me do that for
you.” Kinda missing the point.
One of the main reasons for this whole experience was
that JC wanted his friends to see this thing happen. He wanted to be more fully
known by them. He’s not showing off; that’s humility: being known as he really is.
And another of his reasons for this encounter was that he
wanted counsel from a couple of guys who had been trail-blazers in their own
day, and who had already made their own way through death (in two completely
different ways) to the other side. He needed their support.
And here comes Pete, toddling along, feeling kinda
powerless in the situation, wanting to find SOME way to be useful: “Here, let
me do that for you.” Kinda missing the point of what was happening there.
As I read the story from Pete’s perspective, I reflect on
how he could have been less stupid here. Maybe he just shuts up and takes it
all in. Maybe he waits until the meeting is over and shakes hands with Mo &
Eli. Maybe he just makes a list of questions he wants to ask on the way down
the mountain.
I dunno. I’m still working on that, because I want to
learn how I can avoid cramming my foot in my mouth the way I’m good at doing
(and the way Pete is good at doing).
I sure love Father’s gentle reminder: “Guys, this is
where your attention needs to be: Listen to my Son!”
This is an awesome family relationship that I’ve been
brought into. I’m loving he (hard) process of learning how we do things in this
family.
Thursday
Assisting During the Glory
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