We read in Luke 9 that Jesus took three of His disciples up the mountain to pray. It was the usual three – Peter, James and John. The appearance of Jesus’s face changed and with Him stood Moses and Elijah, all appearing in glorious splendour. The disciples had been feeling groggy but when they came to themselves Peter, the impetuous one, blurted out, ‘It is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters, one for You, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ As the Bible explains, he didn’t know what he was saying.
We can understand Peter feeling as he did. He wanted this miraculous moment to last, as if putting up three shelters would prolong the visit! There must also have been times like that for us. When we have had a time of great blessing or spiritual experience, we want it to last. I remember many years ago where a time of worship had been so uplifting and other-worldly that when I came out of the building I couldn’t think why the world was going on in the same way. Shoppers were still shopping and traffic was still proceeding. I had had a taste of heaven but the world was just the same.
That’s the point, the world is still the same with its sin and problems. But we thank God that just sometimes, we have a glimpse of what life here on earth could be like. And what it will be like in the world to come.