Monday, February 20, 2006
Matthew 17:5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"
LISTEN UP!
Think back on your childhood or think back on the last week in your parent's home. How often was it necessary for your father to say: "Hey, Listen up! Stop talking. Listen to what I have to say!" Why was it necessary to say so? Perhaps you were not listening or perhaps it was simply vitally important that he receive your undivided attention.
Peter had just finished floating his idea to put up three tents, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah -- when a bright cloud overshadowed them and the Heavenly Father called for His undivided attention. What did the Heavenly Father want Peter to take special note of -- did He have detailed tent-building plans for him? Nope. He wanted Peter, and you and me, to set aside whatever we are doing and look at Jesus. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Look at Jesus -- He is God's one and only beloved Son. God is well pleased with Him, because He was perfectly faithful to Him. Look at Jesus -- not at yourselves or what you might construct for God. Look at Jesus -- and see in Him the one who perfectly kept God's Law as your substitute and then laid down His Life to wipe your corrupt record clean. Yes, look at Jesus, but don't stop there, because your Heavenly Father says, "hear Him."
Listen to Jesus and what He has to say to you in the Bible. It is vitally important to your life here on earth and your life that is to come with Jesus afterward. Listen to what your Heavenly Father says about His Son, and listen to His Son who speaks to you in the Scriptures. Listen because Jesus is the Son of God who came down from Heaven and dwelt (tented) among us. Listen, because He has the words that impart spiritual health and eternal life.
