Word@Work Luke150 - Luke 9:34-36
Published: Tue, 07/20/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
LISTEN TO THE ONE WHO KNOWS
Luke 9:34-36 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him." When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no-one at that time what they had seen. (NIV)
The transfiguration of Jesus had provoked Peter into an inappropriate response. He did not know what he was saying. 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, they 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: and God had their 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). Peter knew that the message was for him: God did not want 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 the only spiritual leader who is authorised to speak for Father God, and only Jesus can authorise others to relay His messages (Acts 28:18-20). As followers of Jesus, we first need the humility to listen and 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.
Prayer: Father God. Thank You that I can be confident of the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. Forgive me when I assume that I know better than Him, or when I allow any other influence in my life to contradict Him. Please help me to learn to listen to Jesus and His appointed representatives, the apostles, so that I may be able to relay Your messages with integrity and authenticity. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
The transfiguration of Jesus had provoked Peter into an inappropriate response. He did not know what he was saying. 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, they 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: and God had their 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). Peter knew that the message was for him: God did not want 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 the only spiritual leader who is authorised to speak for Father God, and only Jesus can authorise others to relay His messages (Acts 28:18-20). As followers of Jesus, we first need the humility to listen and 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.
Prayer: Father God. Thank You that I can be confident of the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. Forgive me when I assume that I know better than Him, or when I allow any other influence in my life to contradict Him. Please help me to learn to listen to Jesus and His appointed representatives, the apostles, so that I may be able to relay Your messages with integrity and authenticity. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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