But the Lord Jesus Christ was not an ordinary man. As He reached His intended destination, He was not too exhausted not to pray. We have no idea what time of the day it was or how long the Lord spent with His Father. Perhaps it was at night, or perhaps it extended a few hours into the night. Matthew doesn’t tell us, but while the Lord prayed, the exhausted disciples fell asleep. Luke says, “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.” Just as it will be later in Gethsemane, while the Lord Jesus prayed, the weak and fleshly disciples slept. On that occasion, Jesus “cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?” Perhaps startled by the divine glory – Heavenly glory – Shekinah glory – the disciples awoke. Perhaps they fell asleep listening to the voice of the Saviour, but all of a sudden there were two more voices. Did they slowly comprehend the conversation about the Lord’s upcoming decease – His exodus? Or were they instantly awake, plunged into the middle of a conversation already begun? Who can say? Eventually, as the discussion came to its conclusion, groggy, befuddled, amazed Peter blurted out – “Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.” While we can’t know precisely what was running through Peter’s heart, Mark tells us that “he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.” He thought that he had to say something, and “tabernacles” is what poured out.
Our theme for this evening is Peter’s foolish statement. Now, I don’t know if I am as consistent in this as I ought to be – The Lord is only proper judge of this, although you may be a better judge than I am myself. But when I criticize someone – some song writer, a famous personality, or Peter here in this text…. When I criticize someone, I try never to forget that I, too, have my flaws. For some people, that thought never crosses their minds, but for some it does – even if only for a moment. I can guarantee – if I had been there on that occasion I would have fallen asleep just as they did. The rest of my faults may be different from Peter’s, but that still doesn’t change the fact that I am a sinner and a fool.
I want us to criticize Peter this evening, but not for the fun of it – not for entertainment. Rather, it is for the sake of our instruction and even for our encouragement in the right things. “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” Peter may have been impulsive, quick, boastful, and disrespectful. While you on the other hand – or me – we may be slow, timid, self-centered and inert. Just because our nature and character are different from Peter’s, that doesn’t necessarily mean that we are better people or better servants of God. All of us, no matter what kind of personalities we have; all of us should be able to learn something from Peter’s transfiguration foolishness.
Before I begin my criticism, let me praise Peter and point out some good things about this case.
“Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.” First of all, even though he was overstepping his authority, Peter was somewhat respectful. He called Christ Jesus “Kurios” – “Lord.” As I have often said, I believe that this is akin to “Jehovah” or “Yahweh” the name for God. As far as I am concerned, there probably wasn’t a more respectful word for Peter to use in addressing the Saviour. It is infinitely higher than most of the titles given to the Lord is many modern so-called “churches” today.
But as I compare Matthew to Mark and Luke, I think that I hear Peter stammering just a little. In Mark’s account Peter called Jesus “Master,” which, although it is not disrespectful, is a bit more familiar. “Master” is the Greek word often translated “Rabbi” – speaking of Christ as Peter’s teacher. But then Luke adds even a different word “epistates” (ep-is-tat’-ace) still often translated “Master.” “Epistates” speaks about a superintendent or overseer. It appears to me that Peter began stammering out titles – “Sir, Rabbi, LORD, It is good for us to be here.” All of these show respect, although one is clearly more respectful than the others.
A second good thing about this is that Peter did ask permission to build his three tabernacles. “Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.” Here comes your 8-year-old son, saying, “Dad, I think that we ought to buy the beautiful, vacant house on the corner of 5th street and 7th avenue.” You smile, and thank him for his wonderful suggestion, but the decision is yours, not his. “Thank you, Peter. You may think that this is a good idea, but it isn’t.”
And what about the idea of three tabernacles? Of course, the word “tabernacle” refers to a shelter – a temporary shelter made of canvas, tree limbs or whatever might be handy. I am not smart enough to either affirm or refute the idea, but some experts say that the transfiguration took place in Autumn, just prior to the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles. They say that Peter, not knowing what to say, blurted out something about celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles right there on the top of the mountain. Who am I to contradict the idea. Besides, whether it is true or not, it doesn’t really matter.
Another suggested purpose, related to the first, is that Peter was saying, “Lord, I can’t bear the thought about danger in Jerusalem, and your possible death there. Let’s not go to Jerusalem. We can celebrate Tabernacles right here.” Could this be the explanation, even though Peter was hearing a heavenly conversation about Jesus’ purpose in going to Jerusalem? For a long time I had it in my mind that the three tabernacles were meant as some sort of memorial of the event, but how can temporary shelters be a memorial?
But there is a third possible explanation – Perhaps the disciples were getting chilled up there among the clouds and possible early snow. Peter may have been thinking that the Lord and His visitors might have needed some protection from the weather. He may have been thinking only of the Lord, when he made this suggestion. But then, doesn’t God’s rebuke imply that this isn’t the explanation? And then why three tabernacles rather than just a large one, if they were to continue their conversation? And besides, weren’t the two visitors already returned to Heaven? Whatever he actually meant, Peter certainly didn’t mean any harm by blurting out his suggestion.
I think that there are things which are commendable about Peter’s outburst.
But based on God’s rebuke, it seems obvious that there was foolishness in what Peter said.
“Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.” Obviously what was said was spoken in haste. “He wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.” Again, this is not an area of life in which I excel, but I am aware of the problem, and I try, however unsuccessful I am. I am talking about controlling my tongue – unless I try really hard, sometimes I speak when I shouldn’t. I am so glad that none of you have this problem that Peter and I have.
It seems to me that Pastor James ran into someone or several of the saints who had the same problem. Three times in the third chapter of his book he spoke of the dangers of quick and glib speaking. “The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” “The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” “The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” Peter, put a bridle on that tongue; put a muzzle over your mouth. Earlier James said, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” Listen to wise Solomon – “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” If you keep talking without quoting scripture, eventually you will say something wicked or sinful. “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.” ”He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” Perhaps, if Peter had remained quiet for a few minutes like James and John, he might have had something more profitable to share with us.
Of course, in Peter’s lack of fuller consideration, what he said was based on misconceptions. He may have assumed that glorified beings could feel cold air, or were bothered by rain or snow. Yes, there will be “mansions” – “dwelling places” – in glory, but will they be there to shelter us in our glorified bodies? Did Christ and His guests need some sort of protection provided by Peter and his friends? Peter may have assumed that Moses and Elijah had returned to earth to stay, and needed places to stay. He may have thought that the six of them were going to be on the mountain throughout the week of Tabernacles. How many times in general conversation has someone started telling you something, or perhaps it was you who was speaking, and before the sentence was finished, the other party had concluded something other than the original intention? Not only must we learn to control our tongues, but even before that we need to control our minds, not to jump to conclusions before hearing all the case.
Perhaps this next point, should have come under the commendable column, but it has it negative side. What Peter said was well-meaning in its intention. The point is, when God is not in something, even our good intentions may turn out to be bad choices. Just because what you are considering is excellent, it may not be excellent for that moment. It may not be the Lord’s will for you to do it, or for you to do it then.
And in the same sort of way, didn’t the blessing of it all, make Peter’s faux pas even more condemnable? If Andrew had known what his brother was experiencing in the transfiguration up there on the mountain, would he have responded in the same way. As they say, “To whom much is given much is required.” The blessing not only contributed to the confusion, but it made Peter’s mistake even worse.
It was probably not intentional, but Peter inadvertently robbed the Lord Jesus Christ of His glory. “Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.” Peter may have entertained angels unawares a few times during his life, but he was unaware of it still. Now, there on the top of this mountain, there were no angels, but two beings of even greater prestige. They had come all the way from Heaven. They had once been something like himself, but now they had been glorified. Wow!!! Wow, indeed! Without a doubt, to see or meet Moses and Elijah glorified, but on earth, was a marvelous thing. However, no angel and certainly no glorified saint should be considered greater or even on the same level as the Lord of Hosts and the Saviour of sinners. I can understand how Peter might have gotten excited about seeing these visitors, but the expression of his excitement brought down the Lord Jesus.
We won’t study it tonight, but the words were barely out of Peter’s mouth before he heard the voice of God. “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” Among the other things God was saying, “Peter, hold your tongue and listen – for a change.” “Your opinions and suggestions have no place in any of this.” And likewise, your opinions and my opinions, are not to be compared with the word of the Lord.
Peter, as a representative of us all, acted somewhat foolishly. God grant us all wisdom enough to learn from his mistake.