From the desk of Pastor Ben
Peter Testifies of Jesus

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
                                    (Matthew 17:4)

Luke gives us the additional information that Peter spoke “not realizing what he was saying” (Luke 9:33). Peter completely failed to comprehend the significance of Jesus’ glory or of Moses’ and Elijah’s testimony. In his combined bewilderment and fear, Peter could think of nothing but making three tabernacles with his own hands in which Jesus and the two Old Testament saints could dwell.

We can only guess at Peter’s motive for making the suggestion. He had no interest in Jesus’ going to Jerusalem or in His coming again. He wanted the Lord to stay, not leave and return. He especially did not want Him to leave by way of death (Matthew 16:2). As usual, he was caught up in his own plans and his own will rather than the Lord’s.

Peter’s idea was not so much wrong as foolish. He was foolish in perhaps thinking that Jesus might not have to die after all, that there was now opportunity to fulfill His mission by avoiding the cross and therefore avoiding the need of later returning. Peter was also foolish in placing Moses and Elijah, great as they were, on the same level as Christ by wanting to build tabernacles for all three of them. Only Christ is supreme.

Ask Yourself:
If you were able to take a brash, reactionary approach to the issues in your life right now that seem too big to handle, what would you probably do? And looking back from a point in the near or distant future, how do you think that action would appear? It is always better to wait and worship.