2 Peter 1:17 KJV
[17] “For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Peter was on the Mount of Transfiguration and saw Jesus in all of His glory. He also saw Moses and Elijah, and they, too, were glorified before him. Peter was not alone because James and John were with him. Probably the most startling event that took place on the mountain that day was the fact that Peter, James, and John were asleep. I’ve often read the text and wondered how they could have slept with everything that was taking place? Perhaps they fell asleep as Jesus was praying before He was glorified. We know that this was the case when Christ was praying in the garden.
Had the disciples stayed awake on the mountain of transfiguration, they would have understood the cross, because Jesus, Moses, and Elijah discussed the death of our Lord. Can you imagine that conversation? I would love to have been there and heard them discussing Calvary. If they had been awake, Peter would not have drawn his sword to defend Jesus, but would have rejoiced all the way to the foot of the cross. They would have known that victory would be won at Calvary. They would have known that Hell would be defeated, and death would be conquered when Christ died. They would have never been sad, but would have anticipated the third day after His death. They would have looked forward to the Resurrection rather than being sorrowful that He had died.
When Peter awakens, he finally speaks and wants to build tabernacles for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. This prompts the Father to speak out of Heaven and declare that there is only One who is worthy to listen to, and that is His Son. Peter never forgot the words or the voice that he heard that day. He called it in our text verse “such a voice.” The message was loud and clear as the Father praised the Son before all of them. The same praise was heard as Christ was baptized. God, the Father, was pleased with His Son throughout His entire life here on earth. The life of Christ reminds us that pleasing the Father is the highest praise and honor that we could ever receive. This is what Jesus lived for on earth, and it is what we should strive for as well. We should not desire the praise of men, but we should desire the praise of God. We should be like Christ and desire to please only our Heavenly Father. Honoring Him and pleasing Him should be our ultimate goals in life. May we strive to hear Him say “well done” to each one of us.