Do You Have The Courage To Speak?

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, I will make three shelters here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Matthew 17:4 

We often deride Peter for being impetuous. For speaking before thinking. For making bold promises which he is not able to fulfill. We could view Peter’s response at the Transfiguration under that same light. After all, Luke mentions in his gospel that Peter did not know what he was saying when he said it. He had just awakened from a deep sleep of exhaustion to behold His master in His divine glory. 

What joy must have entered Peter’s heart! There before his eyes was his Teacher whose face shone as light and whose robe was a brilliant white. There before his eyes Elijah and Moses spoke with Jesus. Emotion overwhelmed Peter. Judah had been awaiting the time of Elijah’s return. Was this the moment? Was this the time that the kingdom of God would be established on this earth? Wanting to remain in this glorious moment, why wouldn’t Peter have responded as he did? 

But this amazed joy gave way to fear. A bright cloud enveloped Peter along with John and James. The voice of the Father thundered from the cloud. The three apostles fell face down. Fear of being in the Father’s presence consumed them. They trembled until the voice of Jesus comforted them, “Get up. Don’t be afraid.” The time had come to return from the mountain of Jesus’ glory. 

The time had come for Jesus to ascend the mountain of sacrifice. Jesus instructed the three that they did not need to wait for Elijah to return. The prophecy of Elijah’s return was fulfilled in the ministry and death of John the Baptist. And now Jesus told them that He, too, would go on to His own execution. 

The Father had prepared the three apostles for what lay ahead. He reminded the three that He loved His Son and that they would be wise to listen to Him. The road ahead would be filled with doubt and fear, but Jesus would and must go to the cross. The Father had willed it to happen. 

In time, the Transfiguration would embolden Peter to speak. In his second epistle, Peter encouraged believers to trust his gospel message because he had been a witness of Jesus’ glory. His words were not simply the words of a man, an opinion or, worse yet, a deception. He spoke of what he had himself witnessed. He had heard the Father giving honor and glory to Jesus. 

What about us? We have not been privileged enough to witness the Transfiguration. We, ourselves, have not heard the voice of the Father declaring that He is well pleased with His Son. But Peter reminds us we are not without our own encouragement to speak. We have the completely reliable prophetic word of God. We have the testimony of the Holy Spirit through the prophets and the gospel writers and the epistle writers. Having led us to faith, the Holy Spirit can empower us to share the gospel with the impetuous zeal of Peter. Go and make disciples.

Blessings, 

Frank Van Brocklin 

Staff Minister/Principal 

Coming up at Immanuel Lutheran School: 

❖ Saturday, February 18 Child Development Expo at MAES 

❖ Monday- Friday, February 20-24 Spirit Week at ILS 

❖ Tuesday, February 21 School Board Meeting 

❖ Tuesday, February 21 Parents’ Night Home Basketball Game ❖ Wednesday, February 22 Junior Choir Sings at 1:00 PM Ash Wednesday Service ❖ Wednesday, February 22 ILSA Serves Lenten Meal for Ash Wednesday ❖ Thursday, February 23 Faculty Meeting 

❖ Friday, February 24 Pep Rally 

❖ Saturday, February 25 NLHS Basketball Tournament