God Pause from Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Friday, 24 February 2017 with Scripture Matthew 17:1-9 
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Matthew 17:1
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I love Peter. He can go from saying something quite profound one minute to saying something so naॖve the next. His first inclination after seeing Moses, Elijah and Jesus is to build three tents. He launches into a monologue: "Lord, it is good for us to be here... blah, blah, blah." I don't mean disrespect, because as I said, I love Peter. He reminds me of me. I often have launched into a let's-do-something-about-this mode when the more appropriate response would be to just take in the moment. Peter wanted to act when it was a time of beholding and worship. And God--perhaps with a godly eye-roll--had to interrupt Peter while he was still speaking.
The world's adage is, "Don't just stand there, do something." In some instances God asks us, "Don't just do something, stand there." Be still. Listen. Praise. Then act.
Father, we are so busy talking that we forget to listen. Still our tongue, calm our spirit, and help us to hear you. Amen.
Laurie Neill, '12
Discipleship Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Fargo, N.D.
Matthew 17:1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.
2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.
3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.
4 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!"
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear.
7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid."
8 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."[New Revised Standard Version]
Six days later, Yeshua took Kefa, Ya‘akov and his brother Yochanan and led them up a high mountain privately. 2 As they watched, he began to change form — his face shone like the sun, and his clothing became as white as light. 3 Then they looked and saw Moshe and Eliyahu speaking with him. 4 Kefa said to Yeshua, “It’s good that we’re here, Lord. I’ll put up three shelters if you want — one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them; and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the talmidim heard this, they were so frightened that they fell face down on the ground. 7 But Yeshua came and touched them. “Get up!” he said, “Don’t be afraid.” 8 So they opened their eyes, looked up and saw only Yeshua by himself.
9 As they came down the mountain, Yeshua ordered them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
[Complete Jewish Bible]I love Peter. He can go from saying something quite profound one minute to saying something so naॖve the next. His first inclination after seeing Moses, Elijah and Jesus is to build three tents. He launches into a monologue: "Lord, it is good for us to be here... blah, blah, blah." I don't mean disrespect, because as I said, I love Peter. He reminds me of me. I often have launched into a let's-do-something-about-this mode when the more appropriate response would be to just take in the moment. Peter wanted to act when it was a time of beholding and worship. And God--perhaps with a godly eye-roll--had to interrupt Peter while he was still speaking.
The world's adage is, "Don't just stand there, do something." In some instances God asks us, "Don't just do something, stand there." Be still. Listen. Praise. Then act.
Father, we are so busy talking that we forget to listen. Still our tongue, calm our spirit, and help us to hear you. Amen.
Laurie Neill, '12
Discipleship Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Fargo, N.D.
Matthew 17:1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.
2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.
3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.
4 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!"
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear.
7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid."
8 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."[New Revised Standard Version]
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Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
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