What should you say?
Because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid. Mark 9:6
Have you ever had a friend or a loved one who was uncomfortable with silence? Anytime there is a gap in conversation, they feel the need to fill it? They take it on themselves to keep control of any downtime or lull in social situations and speak whatever comes to their mind. Usually it is useless information, gossip or boasting about their own accomplishments. It can be more awkward than the silence and even annoying at times.
As we read through the gospel accounts of Jesus’ life here on earth, we get a little hint that Peter may have been that kind of person. In today’s reading it says that he didn’t know what to say. It implies that he felt like he had to say something because he was afraid and didn’t understand fully what he was seeing and hearing.
An interesting thing happened though, God speaks over Peter and tells them that they should listen to His Son Jesus. Basically, telling the disciples that were there that day to stop talking and listen. I’m sure they were very afraid then, in fact in another account of this scene, it says they fell on their faces because they were greatly afraid. (See Matthew 17)
The point is, you do not need to feel pressured into speaking, just because there is a quiet time in conversation. It is ok to sit and listen. Check inside your heart to see if there is any prompting from the Holy Spirit. Wait for others to share what is on their heart. It might be an opportunity for you to show interest in what others are up against right now and to encourage them in their journey.
Today I want to encourage you to first of all, listen to what the Spirit of God is impressing on your heart. Don’t just plan on doing and saying everything that pops into your head. Make your conversations and attentions be on what God is doing in other people’s lives and take time to listen to the wisdom that other people may be speaking into your life and consider that. Make your words count for all eternity and use them to encourager and inspire those around you.
Today’s scripture reading: Mark 9:1-13
1 And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”
2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.
3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
5 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—
6 because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.
7 And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
8 Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
9 Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
10 So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant.
11 And they asked Him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
12 Then He answered and told them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt?
13 But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him.”
The Daily Dose 