Transfiguration (6)
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28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, 31 appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36 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.
Focus on listening to Jesus.
A common medical malady among little children is ear infections. As a result of the infection, the ear canal becomes impacted and the child suffers from temporary hearing loss. Because this often occurs at the same time a child is learning how to talk, it can affect their speech so that they are not as precise in their communication as they would be otherwise. Another problem is that there is physical discomfort because of the infection. Our oldest son was affected the most by ear infections and if did impact his speech and his ability to hear. So we consulted with a pediatrician to have this corrected with a minor surgery in which tubes are placed in the ear drums. As we discussed this with him I asked, “Will my son be able to listen after the surgery.” “Oh, yes!” was his reply. He will have markedly improved hearing.
PAUSE
But that is not what I meant. I meant if he would improve in his listening. Would he do what his mother and father told him to do or would he stubbornly refuse and do his own thing? There is a difference between hearing and listening. Hearing receives the information, but listening involves acting on what is heard in the realms of believing and doing.
25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet: 26 “ ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” 27 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ 28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
St. Paul compares the different responses to the Gospel by the Jews and the Gentiles.
The Jews would hear what God had to say but they would not act.
The Gentiles would hear what God had to say but they would act. The English translation interprets this by translating the same word first as “Hear” in regard to not acting and then as “Listen” in regard to acting. An old English word would be “Heed”.
James explains it in this way: James 1:22–25 (NIV84)
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
The point is that we are to demonstrate that we believe in God and what his word says by having the Word speak to us (read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest [take it to heart] and believe and do what it says.
Specific sin: We don’t always hear the Word.
Although we now have more access to the Word of God than at any other time in history, how much time do we spend reading, meditating, and studying the Bible? Most people spend a considerable amount of time in front of a screen (TV, phone, tablet). Perhaps more than ever before. And even though those devices can and do transmit the word of God, how much of our hearing and viewing of it access that powerful message.
And to be in person in a worship service has somehow become “optional” for many Christians based on low attendances in in person worship and Bible study.
We don’t always believe and do what it says.
But even when we do hear God’s Word, are we always attentive to putting it into practice? We must all confess that we struggle with this because of our own sinful nature.
We listen to other conflicting voices.
Another issue we have is that when we do listen to others, we sometimes received conflicting message. This is not only true in the sphere of religious teaching. For the past several years we have heard markedly different messages about who would best be in leadership of our country and how we should deal with the COVID situation. It seems as though there is no truth that can be relied on 100%. This also may seem to be the case with what the Word of God says. Recall when Jesus told Pontius Pilate that whoever is on the side of truth listens to him? What did Pilate respond? “What is truth?”
It is almost impossible to avoid completely what others are telling us.
Attempts such as censorship and undermining other ideas.
We cringe when we hear about attempts to censor certain books like the Dr. Seuss fiasco last year or wonder about whether or not Raymond Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 will ever come true. We may not be aware that in the early centuries of the Christian Church, church leaders banned certain religious books which disagreed with the books of the Bible we now have. Even WELS pastors at times teach a form of censorship. (Illustration with Pearl Jam song --- Last Kiss. ‘She’s gone to heaven so I’ve got to be good, so I can see my baby when I leave this world.)
How can we be sure Jesus is telling the truth?
Confirmation of the Father
One example takes place during the well known even of the transfiguration of Jesus. When did it occur?
Jesus' statements about his upcoming betrayal and death (Matthew 17:22 - 23, Luke 9:43 - 44) places the transfiguration in 29 A.D., the year before his crucifixion. John's gospel also reveals this year's Feast of Tabernacles, celebrated in October, was fast approaching (John 7:2). This explains why Peter wanted to build booths on the mountain (Leviticus 23:39 - 43, Matthew 17:4).
One aspect of this event is the proclamation of God that was heard concerning Jesus. He confirms that Jesus is his Son and that he has chosen him to be the Savior.
15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. 16 He warned them not to tell others about him. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. 19 He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. 21 In his name the nations will put their hope.”
4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—
Later, Jesus’ enemies would mock this truth.
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”
God also commanded the disciples to listen to Jesus. This is emphasized by Jesus as well. We are to listen to Jesus not only because he is chosen by God, but because God sent him to speak to us for him.
Hebrews 1:1–3 (NIV84)
1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
27 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” 30 Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.
And we are to listen to those whom Jesus has sent — Christians sharing the Word of God in its truth and purity.
16 “He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
How can we be sure this is true? (Recall all of the conflicting messages that are present)
16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. 17 If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?”
Did the disciples listen to Jesus? Matthew tells us Matthew 17:9 (NIV)
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.”
Luke tells us Luke 9:36 (NIV84)
36 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.
It may seem like a minor point but they showed that they listened to Jesus on a seemingly small instruction. Before Jesus ascended into heaven he gave his final command to go and make disciples . . . The book of Acts and history shows that these disciples did just that. Those who had been instructed by Jesus listened to him and have been sharing the Good News ever since.
And so, we today have all of these opportunities to read, mark, learn and take to heart the truths of the Bible as we listen to those who listen to Jesus. We fail at times and don’t always listen as we should. But because Jesus listened to his Father and gave his life on the cross, we can be sure that our sins are forgiven and that we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to listen to Jesus even better in the future. Amen.