The Grand Understatement

"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. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
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.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus."
Mark 9:2-8

The story is told of the little boy making his first ever visit to see Niagara Falls. His parents were very excited to show him the grandeur and awesome size of this natural wonder of the world. Well the parked their car and began to walk over to the viewing area. As they walked nearer to the spot the noise of the water began to increase, and the cold mist began to dampen the little boys hair. The little boy was so small that he couldn't see the Falls at all as they walked up because he was unable to see over top of the protective barrier. Upon reaching the premier viewing area, the little boys Dad picked him up and set him upon his shoulders, and said, "well Son, here's Niagara Falls, what do you think?" The little boy, sat there eyes wide open and mouth slightly agape as he drank in the sight before him. It took him a while, before he replied awestruck..."It looks really wet Dad."

A grand understatement if their ever was one. :) The scripture above includes one of my favorite lines in all the Bible - one that just happens to be another grand understatement.

Quick recent history update: Peter had just figured out on his own that Jesus was in the fact the promised Messiah, and he said as much. Jesus followed that up by plainly divulging the extent of His suffering and death to come. Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked Him. Then Jesus put Peter in his place and clearly laid out the tough road ahead to be a follower of Christ. Here's what comes next - the Transfiguration.

Jesus takes Peter, along with James and John, up on to the mountain, and while there He chooses to fully reveal His glory before them. The extent of His holiness, grandeur, beauty and awesome power was laid before them. They even witnessed glorified Jesus hanging out with faith hall of famers Elijah and Moses. In this very instance, Peter and the other two were given a sample taste of what heaven itself is going to be like. They were treated to one of the most amazing moments in the history of humanity - the pleasure and privilege of being in the presence of the glorified Christ.

Peter, overwhelmed by this moment, and unsure of what to say, spits out this great line all the while with knees a' knocking - "It's good for us to be here, lets put up some tents and stay for awhile." That's great, a classic understatement - "good to be here?" How's about the best and only place to be. How's about the place that we were meant to be, and will be someday in heaven for more than just a taste, but for the whole enchilada.

Here's the neat thing - as you enter church tomorrow morning, bear in mind that you are entering the glorious presence of the risen Christ. You are ascending the mountain with all those other church attenders, and Christ will be there in all the splendor of His majesty. How often do we neglect to notice the fact that Jesus is there and that He wants to show us the extent of His glory. The glory that we were made to know and experience.

As you attend your various houses of worship tomorrow, may you be blown away to the point of grand understatement at the very real and glorious presence of Jesus. May we all leave church tomorrow uttering, "It is good for us to be here, lets put up some tents..."

Be God's, Scott