Snow, shelters, and success

Here is our focus passage again:

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (Mark 9:2-7)

When we stopped yesterday, we mentioned that the Bible tells us that the three disciples who had been chosen to accompany Jesus to the mountain were so astonished, and so overwhelmed, that they didn't know what to say.
Many times, the best thing to do when you don't know what to say, is to say nothing at all. The fact that you're not sure is an indication that you should just not speak. Apparently, either Peter's mom didn't teach him that, or he just wasn't listening . . . so he blurted out, "Hey, it's great that we are here; we can make three shelters -- one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
I was reading in some of the commentaries and I guess the scholars feel there are two possible explanations.
It could have been that Peter was thinking about religious things and dreaming about the kingdom of God that Jesus was teaching them about. You see, during the Jewish harvest festival, which was also called the festival of booths, shelters were built as a symbol of the heavenly places where the righteous would dwell. The booths were visual symbols of where they'd be happy once they reached the heavenly kingdom. Maybe he was just dreaming and anticipating the Kingdom of God.

Or, maybe Peter was so caught up in the moment, that he didn't want it to end. Have you ever been in that situation? Perhaps it's a lovely family moment, where for once, everyone is in harmony and all is well. Certainly don't want that to end.... Or maybe it's in a church situation, and the spirit of revival is on the people, and there's worship and singing. Don't want that to end, either. Or maybe it's just us and the Lord. Maybe the Spirit is near, we feel a sweet peace, and we are aware of the special comfort of His love.
Maybe his thought was, if they erected those shelters to shade Jesus, Moses, and Elijah from the sun, they could linger for a time. The disciples could take pleasure and revel in the presence of these great and godly men.
Well, whatever Peter was thinking, they didn't get any kind of structures built, because a voice from heaven (the same voice that had spoken when Jesus was baptized) spoke, and then Moses and Elijah disappeared.
The three men were left alone with Jesus.
That wonderful, awe-inspiring, mountain-top moment was done.
This next phrase from verse 9 is all-important to our understanding:

As they were coming down the mountain... (Mark 9:9a)

Yes, the mountain-top experience was wonderful, but Jesus knew that they couldn't stay there. It was tempting to bask in it, to discuss it, to ponder its meaning. Jesus knew that they had to come down to the valley. Down to the people who so desperately needed to hear His message.

We all need times like that. We all benefit from being inspired, enlightened, excited, and fired up. We need that refreshment and invigoration.
But, as wonderful as it is, that is not where success lies.
Oh, I "get" that they could have used this. They could have promoted this. The marketing side of the world's viewpoint says some slick advertising could have made them the center of attention. The right word here and there and the world would have been at their feet. This would be success with a capital S, and in neon lights, and blinking!
But I believe Jesus is saying something totally different. He is telling us that we need to come off the mountain to the valley -- meet people where real needs are, and help them.

Moses and Elijah appeared that day on the mountain, and they helped to remind the disciples that they were part of a long line of faith that included Moses, the Law, and the prophets. Jesus' outward appearance changed before their eyes, and served to remind them that they were in the presence of God. They were able to look into the transformed face of Jesus and see God's glory.
But there was no staying on the mountain.
No booths.
No lingering.
There was just too much to be done, down in the valley.
More next time......