This past Sunday we covered the Transfiguration account (Matthew 17.1-13). Jesus was revealed in His divine glory, and the 3 disciples who were with Him were not sure how to react. How should they respond to seeing the glorified Son of God? James and John are silent, as far as we know; and Peter, not knowing what else to do, offered to build tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. He was not able to sit still at the sight of this glory and felt that he needed to respond in some way. In the midst of this confusion, God the Father speaks. He silences Peter and confirms that Jesus is the Son of God and He is well pleased with Him. Then He simply says, “Listen to Him.”
We are often like the disciples. We may be like Peter, distracted by what we see and so caught up in our plans that we lose sight of what God wants from us. Or we may be more like James and John, overwhelmed and not sure what do or say. However we may react, God’s message to us is the same— listen to Jesus.
How do we listen to Jesus today since we do not get to audibly hear His instructions as the disciples did? Listening to Jesus involves reading God’s Word and following His commands for us. John would write a letter later on his life, likely with the Transfiguration in mind. He writes, “That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). John was an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry and His glory. He is writing so that we can share in the fellowship he has with God the Father.
John continues to explain how we can be sure that we know God; “And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. Whoever says, ‘I know Him’ but does not keep His commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3-4). God gave us His Word so that we could know Him and follow His commands for us. He gave us His Word so that we can listen to Jesus. If we say that we know Jesus, yet our actions are continually contrary to Him and His will, then we need to evaluate if we truly know God. You cannot consistently reject God’s Word yet claim to know Him. Fellowship with God is not something out of reach; it does not involve elaborate gestures. It starts by simply listening to Jesus.
“Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same in which He walked” (1 John 2:6).
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