A Series on Lent: Peter’s Journey
(Click
on the link below to read the verses.)
Matthew 17:1-9
[Lent is a time of reflection. During Lent, we will be looking at Peter’s Journey to learn how his reflections on his own life, his culture, his religion and his savior changed his life forever.]
Have you ever gone
to the circus? Even better, have you ever taken your kids or grandkids to the
circus? Recently, my wife and I did just that. With great anticipation we took
our three grandchildren to the Aladdin Shrine Circus.
I was expecting a three-ring circus with simultaneous acts in all three rings; elephants
lumbering behind one another holding onto the tail of the one in front of them;
a lion cage with a lion trainer cracking their whip and holding a chair to fend
off the ferocious beasts... none of these happened!
The kids seemed
excited when we picked them up. But as soon as we arrived, their focus was on
getting an Icee that cost $15, or going down to the carnival area where each 30
second ride cost $5, or for $25 you could buy a plastic toy that lit up.
Afterwards, my
daughter reassured me that, despite my unmet expectations, the kids would have
great memories of the night. I’m not so sure. But I’m pretty sure that Jesus
experienced heart breaking, unmet expectations.
Within a week of
Peter’s bold statement that Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus took Peter, James and
John on a mountain to pray. No doubt Jesus needed this time of solitude, prayer
and the support of his closest friends as he contemplated going to Jerusalem
where he would “suffer many things, be killed and then raised to life”.
While praying,
Jesus was miraculously transfigured. Then he was joined by Moses and Elijah where
they discussed his impending mission. Meanwhile, Peter, James and John had
fallen asleep. When they woke with a start to this amazing scene, Peter blurted
out that he should build three shelters. Here’s what followed.
5 But
even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud
said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to
him.” 6 The disciples were terrified and fell face
down on the ground. NLT
As they descended
the mountain, Jesus instructed them not to tell anyone what they had seen until
the Son of Man had been raised from the dead. The disciples didn’t understand
what he meant by “raised from the dead”.
Apparently Peter,
James and John missed everything during this once-in-a-lifetime mountain top experience.
In fact, they might as well have gone to the circus.
From one mountain
where Jesus was transformed to another mountain where he was crucified, the
contrast is startling. But through it all, Jesus remained steadfast
and faithful to his Heavenly Father. This gives us eternal hope that we
too can be transformed as he continues to be steadfast and faithful to us.
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