Listen to Him
Sunday’s Verse:
From Matthew 17:5 ESV
(Peter) was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
Six days after telling His disciples that He would suffer and be killed, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. There, before their eyes, His face shines like the sun, and His clothes become white as light. Moses and Elijah appear and talk with Him. A bright cloud overshadows them, and the Father’s voice speaks: “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.”
Six days after telling His disciples that He would suffer and be killed, Jesus again tells the disciples that He will be killed and then raised on the third day. He leads Peter, James, and John up another mountain. While there, His face glows as the sun, and His clothes are dazzling white as light. Moses and Elijah appear and speak with Jesus. A cloud overshadows them and a voice from the cloud says, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.”
Peter, James, and John get a flash of heaven. The curtain is pulled back for a moment. They see what has always been true: Jesus, the carpenter from Nazareth, is indeed the eternal Son of God.
But…it comes as Jesus approaches His death.
That is important.
We Lutherans confess that Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man. Up until now, the Son of God has worn flesh suit like anyone else. But on the mountain, His divine nature shines through. Soon He will come down the mountain. Soon, He will walk toward the cross, humiliation, rejection, and death. The Transfiguration doesn’t remove Jesus from the necessity of the cross. Rather, it reveals that Jesus, who goes to the cross, is none other than God in the flesh.
Peter wants to build tents. Let’s make this moment last. We know the feeling. We want life to give us more mountaintop moments. But a few things in life can keep us from following Jesus, such as pain and suffering. The Father silences Peter and tells us what to do in place of building tents: “Listen to Him.”
Listen to Him when He talks about suffering.
Listen to Him when He tells you to deny yourself.
Listen to Him when He says your sins are forgiven.
When we are suffering or tempted, the light of the Transfiguration shines on the wood of the cross and reveals that Jesus' humiliation was not defeat. It was the purposeful plan of the Son of God to save you. The Son of God who shines brighter than the sun dwells for you in the darkness of the cross.
After Jesus comes down from the mountain, Peter, James, and John see one thing: “Jesus only.” No comforting presence of Moses. No reassuring words from Elijah. No light brighter than sunlight. Just Jesus.
It is enough.
Through His Word and Sacrament, we are given not a glimpse of heaven but Jesus Christ Himself. Often veiled. Often commonplace in appearance. But no less true. There Jesus sits. We listen to His Word. We look away from our pain and unto Him. In faith, we follow Him down the mountain, trusting that suffering is not the last word. Death is not the end. Christ’s resurrection is.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus Christ, You revealed Your glory to strengthen Your disciples for the way of the cross. Strengthen us also. When our faith feels small and the path feels heavy, turn our eyes to You. Teach us to listen to Your Word and trust Your promises. Keep us steadfast until the day we see Your glory face to face. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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