I saw something new from the story of the Transfiguration:

As Moses and Elijah were about to return to heaven, Peter impetuously blurted out, “Master, this is amazing to see the three of you together! Why don’t we stay here and set up three shelters: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah?” While Peter was still speaking, a radiant cloud of glory formed above them and overshadowed them. As the glory cloud enveloped them, they were struck with fear. Then the voice of God thundered from within the cloud, “This is my Son, my Beloved One. Listen carefully to all he has to say.”(Luke 9.33 – 35, Passion Translation)

Usually, I make two points about Peter: one from Mark’s account that “He did not know what to say…” Apparently Peter’s not knowing what to say didn’t stop him from saying something anyway! The second point is that Peter seemed enamored with the spectacular. Let’s set up some shelters and just stay here!

But I’ve been studying John 15.1 – 17 about Jesus explaining that we need to “abide” in him. For example:

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15.5, ESV)

And Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration wants to build three shelters. For what? For abiding! So what’s the problem? Why did the Father reject Peter’s idea?

The answer is clear. Note what happens:

The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a massive crowd was waiting there to meet them. (Luke 9.37, Passion Translation, emphasis mine)

We are to abide with Jesus…where? In everyday life! In the midst of real people. Abiding with Jesus doesn’t occur primarily in church or even primarily in our daily time with God, as important as those are. Our abiding has to occur after we come down from the mountain.

Listen to this portion of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples:

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world…As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. (John 17.15 – 18, ESV)

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20.21, ESV)