Mark 10:44-45 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

His ways definitely aren’t our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. Why would a King – the Saviour, Messiah, and Creator of the universe, come – not to be ministered unto, but to minister? Why did He wash men’s feet, one of the lowest and menial tasks? Why did He choose to have no permanent place to lay His head? Along with the Scripture we read today, we see in 1 Peter that He did it, “leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”

Three times in this chapter we’re reminded that the greatest is the servant. He reminds us that the first shall be last. My natural inclination is to desire to be ministered unto. But my prayer today is that I’d be like Christ, and seek to minister – to my wife, and my children, and those in my ministry. Might I minister to the saints, and to the sinners. Might I look for ways to give my life, as Christ did, for many.  For that’s who is chief in God’s economy. That’s who’s greatest – the servant, and minister.

Mark 9:5-7 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Mark 9:5-6 shows us the account of the transfiguration. This would have been an amazing thing to see. Jesus’ raiment was shining brighter and whiter than any fuller could make it shine. Moses and Elias, their heroes, were right there with them, talking to Jesus. And to top it off, they heard the voice and saw the glory of God right there in front of them. In that moment, Peter, who many times spoke up when it wasn’t necessary, said: “Lord, it’s good for us to be here. Let us build three tabernacles.” The Father’s response was classic. He pretty much ignored Peter’s comment as if He didn’t hear what he had said. Then He said, “This is my beloved Son, hear ye Him”. Peter was one to get his size 9 1/2 sandal in his mouth many times. But despite that, the Father wanted to make a point. “No, you don’t need to build three tabernacles” (besides the fact that it wasn’t His will, and the world might not have been turned upside down if they were busy building three monuments). No, you don’t need to try to figure things out. Here’s Jesus. Here’s His presence. Be quiet, and listen to His voice. He’ll tell you what you need to know and what you need to do.

I like to criticize Peter for this sometimes, because his comment was actually hilarious (at least to me). In my opinion, it was really uncalled for. In addition, what He desired to do was kind of ludicrous, and way out in left field. There are two reasons Peter did this. One, he got his mouth and actions ahead of what God wanted to do and wanted them to know. Secondly, He neglected to do the “necessary part” – be quite, and listen to the Son. I can learn much from this passage. My prayer this morning is two-fold. First, that I’d not let my mouth, my actions, or my will ahead of what God wants me to do. Though – this is so easy to do in this fast-paced society and fast-paced ministry. And secondly, my prayer is that I’d be like Mary, who, instead of “go-go-go”, she sat down and enjoyed the presence of the Lord, listening to His voice. For the voice of the Father still rings out to us today – “This is my beloved Son, hear ye Him”.