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And as [Jesus] was praying, the appearance of His face was altered, and His clothing became dazzling white. And … Moses and Elijah … who appeared in glory and spoke of His departure, which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. … And as the men were parting from Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” … a cloud came and overshadowed them … And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” (Luke 9:29, 30b-31, 33a, 34b, 35)
Peter makes his suggestion about the tents “as the men were parting from” Jesus. That sounds like Peter realized they were saying goodbye, and wanted to stop them—wanted to prolong the glorious moment with Jesus and the others, up on that mountain.
But it doesn’t work that way, does it? Even in our own lives, we get brief glimpses of the glory of God—and then we’re right back in the middle of chores and work and appointments. Or worse than that, we’re walking the road to Calvary—facing a kind of suffering that makes the glory seem like a distant memory.
When that happens, all we can do is obey God the Father who said, “This is My Son, My Chosen One: listen to Him!” Jesus knows the road to the cross very well. He knows suffering and death, and He knows resurrection, too. And when we have to walk those roads as servants of Jesus, He promises to be with us—because He has redeemed us. We are His.
WE PRAY: Lord, when trouble overwhelms me, help me listen to You! Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- What “glory moments” have you known in your life?
- Jesus says, “A servant is not greater than his master” (John 15:20b). What does this tell you about suffering in our own lives?
- How do you listen to Jesus in your daily life?
Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
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