# 525 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 9:5-6 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" because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.
Good old Peter. Open mouth, insert sandal. This Gospel of Mark is basically the Gospel of Peter as told to Mark. And so Peter here tells us why he spoke so foolishly. He and the other disciples were literally, “frightened out of their wits.” (Remember some of the stupid things you said on your first date out of fear as you desperately tried to impress your date?)
Don't forget, he and the disciples had not been transfigured. They were still stuck in their unholy, sinful earthly tents. The old man in them was still present, and the old man would quite naturally try to say something impressive. And out of this backdrop comes the stupid suggestion of constructing tabernacles.
One can hardly blame him though, for this incident was as close as anything has been to heaven on earth! Why not keep it here as long as possible!
One thing I think we could learn from this is that the old man in you and I, is full of stupid suggestions! And one of those stupid suggestions is that he can somehow impress God with what he does in the flesh. How did Isaiah put it?
Isa 64:6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.”
The old man IS a filthy rag, and that's all he can produce. The only thing that impresses God is perfection, and that is only found in those who by faith are in Jesus. So bring that filthy rag to Jesus every day. Allow Him to cleanse it, then submit yourself to Him, and allow Him to use you as a vessel for God's glory.
Father, my flesh wants so much to impress You as if in impressing I may be worthy of salvation, forgive me, and help me to rely on Jesus alone, for He alone is worthy.
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