Luke 9 - The Transfiguration

How do you respond to crisis? When things happen that throw us our of our routine our immediate response is often uninformed and emotional. In Luke 9:28-36 three of the disciples were on a mountain with Jesus. They went up there to pray, but with what seems to be a typical practice, Jesus was praying and the disciples were sleeping. They were suddenly awakened out of a deep sleep. In their grogginess they saw Jesus “who appeared in glory” (Lk 9:31). He was talking with Moses and Elijah. That would throw you a bit. When Moses and Elijah turned to leave Peter blurted out, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents” (Lk 9:33). The text follows that with these words, “not knowing what he said.” He felt like he had to say something and so he uttered an inappropriate and impractical plan about building tents and living on the mountain.

It is interesting that when you look at the differences between King Saul and David. Saul was always responding to crisis emotionally. David more often responded to crisis out of faith and prayer. Those responses made all the difference. Later in life, when David’s son Absalom was rebelling, he failed to respond out of faith and prayer. The result? Many of his own people were hurt. Rash, emotional responses almost never result in good plans. God does not honor quick thinkers. He honors those who take the time to listen and discern what he is doing. As believers in Jesus Christ, we need to learn to slow down and listen well.

Father, teach us to listen.