Listen to him

[1] After 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!”

Matthew 17:1-5

I do enjoy reading Which? Magazine. My wife subscribes (well, I think it’s more a case of she’s forgotten to cancel her trial subscription of some years ago!) Whenever I’m planning a purchase I consult Which? to check for their reviews. If they recommend a product, or have selected it as a Best Buy, then it is highly likely that it will make it to the top of my list of possible purchases. An endorsement from Which? is a big deal as far as I’m concerned!

In today’s reading, Jesus receives three endorsements, one of which truly is the ultimate endorsement; from God himself!

Jesus has headed up a mountain with three of his closest disciples, Peter, James and John. Whilst he was there the disciples were absolutely stunned to witness his transfiguration – defined by my dictionary as “a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state.” Then Moses and Elijah appeared, and talked with Jesus! What a completely remarkable sight that must have been! Here we see Jesus meeting with Moses, the deliverer of Israelites and lawgiver, and Elijah, the great prophet. Jesus is the ultimate fulfilment of their work – pointing people to God, reaffirming God’s law and rule, and delivering all of humanity from their sin. Moses and Elijah therefore could be seen to endorse Jesus’ work.

Peter, keen to extend this amazing moment for as long as possible, offered to put up shelters for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, but this clearly wasn’t the time – he was interrupted by none other than God!

God endorses his son, Jesus. He declares him to be his son. He declares his love for him. He affirms that he is pleased with him. And he issues an instruction: “listen to him!” Through God’s interruption of Peter it is clear that Jesus is above even the law and the prophets. He is like Moses, but better. He is like Elijah, but better. He is better because he is the son of God. He supersedes all others. He is greater than all others.

Yesterday we considered that great question that Jesus posed to his disciples: “who do you say I am?”

Today we find an answer to that question. Jesus is God’s son.

The question for us today is, do we obey that instruction issued by God during the transfiguration? Do we listen to Jesus? Do we study his words in the Bible and seek to apply them to our lives? Do we strive to live by his teachings?

If God commands us to listen to his son, perhaps we should make sure we do just that.