Devotionals by Dr. M. Craig Barnes
When they looked up they saw no one except Jesus himself, alone. --
When Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" it was Peter who knew the right answer. "You are the Christ. The Son of the Living God." But moments later when Jesus began to talk about going to a cross, Peter said, "God forbid."
Of all the disciples, it's easiest for me to relate to Peter. He has committed himself to following Jesus. When called upon, he can usually come up with the right answer. And he loves Jesus. But he doesn't always understand him, especially the part about going to a cross.
So when Jesus invited Peter to climb a mountain with him, it was a troubled disciple that followed. That is the por-trait of most followers of Jesus: confused about where Jesus is leading us, disappointed that his dreams always include a cross. On the mountain Peter heard a voice from heaven saying, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him." This terrified Peter so much that he fell on his face. It wasn't the voice that scared him as much as the message. If Peter had to listen to Jesus then he had to accept the cross.
We are told when Peter lifted his eyes, he saw only Jesus. Not the right answers, the fears, or even the cross. Just the Savior he didn't understand. But then Peter knew he would be okay, precisely because he did not understand. That's how salvation works. Nothing you understand is ever going to save you.
-- Craig Barnes