Matthew 17:1-13
17:1After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist. [1]
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The words that resonate with me today are words from the Father “Listen to him!” Everything that happened on the mountain seems as staging to lead to this important imperative, this word from the Father to the three disciples. They were shown Jesus’ divine glory. They were shown His connection to Moses and Elijah, the Law and the Prophets. They heard the words of love and approval from the Father. And it was all leading to these three words: “Listen to Him!”
Maybe Peter especially needed this after disagreeing with Jesus about going to the cross. Maybe all the disciples needed this after failing to understand the meaning of the feeding of the 4000. But when I hear these words today, they are speaking not to Peter and the others, but to me. I need to hear this. Because I need to listen to the Son.
For me this goes beyond merely reading or hearing the Word, but rather hearing it as a Word from the Son directed to me for application in my life. I am not listening merely for information, but rather to be transformed more and more into the image of the one I seek to follow. Jesus the Word is alive in my life when I truly listen to Him to take to heart where He seeks to lead me.
Lord Jesus, open my ears, mind, and heart to truly listen to You as You speak to me in Your Word. Show me what you would have me do, so that I would be more and more changed into who You would have me be.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
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[1] The New International Version. (2011). (Mt 17:1–13). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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