The transfiguration of Jesus had provoked Peter into an inappropriate response (Luke 9:33). He spoke without any understanding of the situation.  However, it was not his fellow disciples who rebuked him, or even Jesus, but Father God Himself.  As Peter's words were making a mess of that sacred moment, the disciples were engulfed by the awesome stillness of a dense cloud.  Within minutes they had moved from the brilliance surrounding the transfigured Jesus to relative darkness.  Fear seized them.  At last they knew they were on holy ground (Exodus 3:1-6): and God had their full attention.

Father God made three statements.  The first was about the identity of Jesus: He was the Son of the Father.  The second was about the commission of Jesus: He was the chosen, anointed Messiah.  The third was about the authority of Jesus: His words were God's message to the world (as prophesied in Deuteronomy 18:15). And Peter knew that the message was for him.

God did not need any advice or bright ideas from the trainee apostles - He wanted them to know that Jesus was greater than Moses and Elijah, and had the full authority of Father God to be in command.  Although the apostles were being trained to take that message to the world, first they had to listen and understand it; not make it up as they went along. That day, Peter, James and John understood the awesome message, and kept their mouths shut.

Somebody once said that human beings have been given two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak!  The biological importance of having two ears is to enable us to determine where the sound is coming from. Both these thoughts may be helpful.  Firstly, we are not God, and we can never invent truth: truth is a part of God's nature and unless we receive it from Him, we cannot know it or pass it on.  Secondly, it is important to know that Jesus is uniquely authorised to speak for Father God, and only Jesus can authorise others to relay His messages (Matthew 28:18-20). As followers of Jesus we first need the humility to listen, and secondly the discipline to submit our lives to what He says so that we develop transformed minds which are able to discern the will of God (Romans 12:2), before we can pass it on authentically.