Any Proposals for King Jesus

Rev. Enoch Thompson | June 6, 2023 | Matthew 17:1-8

KEY VERSE:

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Matthew 17:4 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

Every business enterprise thrives on ideas, proposals that are captured in business terms, accepted by the business owners and implemented for the profit of the company. We must be alert for opportunities that will work for our personal, familial enterprises and the Church of God. We must not miss out on the opportunities. Peter seemed to be up and doing in capturing the moment and maximizing the opportunity.

The Apostle Peter was an astute fisherman with a business consciousness. He saw in the Transfiguration experience an opportunity to promote the Kingdom of God he was following in the ministry of the Lord Jesus. Being impressed with the wonderful scenes he had just been seeing, ‘Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (NIV). This might be called Peter’s Proposal. Our reflection today is to inquire about what factors motivated Peter’s Proposal. Motives and intents are important for the best proposals we may ever make, especially in relation to our life of discipleship of the Master Jesus.

In the first place, the Apostle Peter proposed a tabernacle for the holy men who appeared with the Lord, Moses and Elijah. It would be good to possess specific individuals whom God used in our lives, ministries, or denominations, and make them patent properties that we uniquely own and have access to. He forgot that those who have been tabernacled by Heaven do not need the tabernacles of humans.

In the second place, Peter seemed to be proposing a counter-motion against the declaration of the Lord about His impending suffering and death. Maybe if the Lord accepts the proposal of the tabernacles on the mountain, He might begin to forget His readiness to go and die at Jerusalem or, at least, it would be difficult for His prophesied arrest and crucifixion to take place.

Thirdly, maybe, like the sons of Zebedee, Peter would want the crown of a settled glory without the pain of drinking the bitter cup of suffering. Settled on a mountain barricade with a supernatural covering, how would he (and James and John) not be renowned as the most honourable among the Apostles? He would want to sit on a mountain of glory when he had not faced the trials of the divine mission.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

What proposals do you have to present to the Lord on this holy mountain of reflection? You must present some responses to the divine revelation in His Word to you. What are the factors that are determining what you are proposing to the Lord on His demands on your life, or for the Church where you serve or for your family or your job?

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, I am grateful to you for having revealed yourself to me. I want to see your glory, whatever form it will take, and I want to stay with you, in that place of revelation. But please keep me from the temptation to monopolize you, package you and make a name for myself, when I should be seeking the expansion and betterment of the Kingdom.

Lord, take your Church to the mountaintop and prepare us to descend into the valley of human needs with the Kingdom of God as the answer they seek. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!