This verse is part of the Transfiguration story where Jesus is up on a high mountain and

is transfigured and his clothes become dazzling white and his face shone like the sun.

Peter is impulsive. When he witnesses this event, he understanding something significant

happened and wants to do something. For whatever reason, Peter says ‘let’s make tents

or dwellings.’

Peter wants to commemorate this event. Peter wants to have some marking that lets

others know what happened on this mountain. Peter wants to identify this spot as holy

ground.

This is not unusually, for throughout the Bible we can read of other who did the same

kind of thing. Jacob when he wrestled with God built an altar in that spot. Abraham built

altars at various places throughout his journey. And even to this day, we do the same

thing—think about crosses placed alongside of the road or places like in Oklahoma City

where the Federal building was destroyed or what is planned at Ground Zero in NYC.

When significant events happen, most of the time we want to do something to remember

and mark the time or place. However, even before Peter is finished speaking God

interrupts him with a voice from a cloud that declares ‘this is my Son, the Beloved; with

him I am well pleased; listen to him!’

While Peter wanted to preserve this place, God was instructing him and the other

disciples with Peter (James and John) about what is most important. God is again

revealing the identity of Jesus along with the instructions—listen to him.

The disciples are to go and rather than build dwelling place to mark God’s presence,

they are to be attentive to what Jesus is teaching them and telling them. They are to be

attentive to Jesus’ voice and this is what is important.

I think that within our own lives, we can be the same way as Peter. We can be impulsive

and seek to build something or jump to some type of decision when something happens—

and when we do this we may miss what is most important—listening to Jesus. It is then

after we listen to Jesus that we should then go forward. This story of the transfiguration

reminds us of this important lesson—to listen to Jesus. We do this when we read the

Bible and meditate upon the Word. We do this when we pray and listen for the answer.

We do this when we worship God and seek his presence.

Rather than just do something (which is what society tells to do), we should stop, listen

and then live.