Listen to Him

This week's hospitality-driven Bible reflection (Hard-wired) provides and excellent backdrop for the time when Jesus got all shiny.  And that's a simple preview of the Sunday sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL
"Listen to Him" text
"Listen to Him" podcast 

Hard-wired

It’s not every day that you hear about a person shining and famous dead people appearing. I know we get to see our share of Zombie movies – including the most recent one where love brings Zombies back to “non-zombie” life, and  most of us have probably seen the scene from The Blues Brothers where Jake proclaimed “I can see the light!”, but shiny people and dead people appearing are still not all ‘common’ – even in the movies.  But in this week’s Bible reading from Luke 9:28-43, it happened. Jesus started shining and his clothes got really bright. Moses and Elijah – two famous dead guys – appeared.

Peter, James, and John must’ve thought they were dreaming. 
“Wait a minute – how can we all be having the same dream?” they might have said.

Peter didn’t know what to make of all it. He didn’t know what was going on. He didn’t know what he was supposed to do.

So he offered to set up three tents.

Set up tents? The Bible says that he didn’t know what he was saying.  But . . .

• It may have been that Peter thought that the three would need shelter.
• It may have been that Peter wanted each of them to have a prayer tabernacle.
• It may have been that Peter had no idea what to say, but offering hospitality was hard-wired in him.

Oh that we would all, whether we are confused, completely understanding or anywhere in between, offer hospitality because it is hard-wired in us.