Mk.9:5-8 – Peter responded and *said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here; let’s make three tabernacles, one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” For he did not know how to reply; for they became terrified. Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud: “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him!” And suddenly they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone.

Not having a real awareness of God’s presence can put us into some interesting and embarrassing situations. Peter was so confident and self assured but as usual he ended up with his foot in his mouth. He thought building three memorial tabernacles on the mountain was a grand idea, at least it sounded good until he was interrupted by the Father’s voice from heaven. This moment was bigger than tabernacles or any other kind of building, this was about the unveiling of the very glory of God. Here is how Watchman describes this moment.

“God was always having to interrupt Peter! On the Mount of Transfiguration, “while he was yet speaking,” the Father spoke. “This is my beloved Son,” He said. “Hear him!” Back in the house at Capernaum, when he had just committed his Lord to payment of the temple tax and was about to tell Him so, “Jesus spake first to him” to correct Peter’s false ideas on the matter. And there in Caesarea, while Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit broke into the sermon with His mighty acts, so that Peter’s six companions “were amazed,” and so could be appealed to in support of his testimony on their return to Jerusalem. Father, Son and Holy Spirit each intervened to interrupt Peter. We may welcome any check upon our flow of words when it is God Himself who breaks in!”

So apparently Peter would have to get comfortable with these divine interruptions, this wouldn’t be the last time. Maybe today’s church could use some of these interruptions, predictable services are far too over rated. When was the last time church meetings were overwhelmed with a holy silence or a burst of joy that fell on the congregation? Or even a change in the flow of the service for someone to tell of something the Lord has done? Or maybe even a pause for the Holy Spirit to speak through a prophetic word or tongues and interpretation? Maybe we all need a good interruption as the Lord begins to move in our midst.