Listen to Him

28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

The Disciples were thinking too small about Jesus the Messiah

There are signs that they thought of him as a political leader who would deliver them from oppression.

Peter knew the correct title for Jesus—that he was the Messiah, translated into the Greek as the Christ. In fact, whenever we say Jesus Christ, we are not saying his first and last name, we are saying his first name and his title. Jesus, the Christ; or Jesus the Messiah.

Sadly, even just a few verses later, they argue over who is greatest among them.

We think Jesus needs a lot of help

Modern people aren’t so different. A certain world political leader currently thinks he is a conqueror who will make his country great by invading and controlling other countries. The leader of the country that has been invaded is saying they will stand and overcome the oppressors. Many are praising him as a deliverer. Here at home we have political leaders on both sides who claim our country is headed in the wrong direction and can be saved by their strong leadership.

Nationalism is taking root. Patriotism is being loyal to the best of your country. Nationalism is valuing your country above all else. The Romans actually worshiped their leader. Christians’ answer was to say Jesus is Lord, above all earthly leaders. He wasn’t interested in a worldly kingship.

Whether its politics or a better job, more money or a new relationship whenever we set our hopes on things or people to deliver us, we underestimate who Jesus is.

Hey Jesus, thanks for the forgiveness, now I’ll take over trying to build my best life. Most of us wouldn’t say: hey Jesus thanks for all the blessings but I’m going to invade a nearby country just to make sure I feel more secure. But would we look for wisdom on facebook instead of digging deeper into God’s Word. Would we manipulate relationships to feel more secure in our family or friendships? You know talk someone else down to make ourselves feel better?

We have another option. We can trust Jesus completely. We can understand that he’s here to encompass God’s long range plan. A plan to deliver human beings from everything that holds us back.

Moses and Elijah

This means the whole old testament. The Torah and the Prophets. The whole history of God working among God’s people. No earthly leader is gonna be greater than Moses, but Jesus is. Moses appears and looks to him. No earthly spiritual leader would be greater than Elijah. But Jesus is. Elijah appears and looks to him. These men aren’t reminding Jesus about what they did, they are talking about him and what he is about to do...

Peter sees them as equals perhaps. But the point of the vision is that Jesus is greater...

Interestingly, in the Greek is says they are discussing his EXODOS… His departure. Jesus was leading his people out of much more than political oppression.

A Voice from Heaven

The voice from heaven is God the Father. This is my Son, my Chosen. Listen to Him! He’s not an interesting voice to lay alongside others. He is a singular voice that reveals God to us. All other voices find their meaning within Him. Anything an earthly leader gets right will only be a slight reflection of Jesus’ glory.

Jesus gets the glory. Not warriors, not leaders. He’s not looking for superstars. But he does invite us to join his mission.

Jesus revealed his transforming mission

Luke 9:37–43 NRSV

37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. 39 Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. 40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41 Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And all were astounded at the greatness of God. While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples,

All were astounded at the greatness of God

And that’s how it should be. There should be no confusion as to who is great—God is great. Leaders are his followers. So we begin with the greatness of God and out of that flows a whole new way of life. Though we are surrounded by ignorance and darkness we have a message to reveal. We have a Messiah to share with those who need to be delivered. And we all need to be delivered.

Jesus invites us to join him on his transforming mission

2 Corinthians 3:12–18 NRSV

12 Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, 13 not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. 14 But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. 15 Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; 16 but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.

We are transformed along the way… As we serve his mission we become more like Him.

A new season is upon us. This Wednesday at 6:30pm we will have a special service to launch an emphasis on prayer and devotion and obedience to God. We will have a devotional guide for daily prayer called These 40 Days. Today in Sunday School we will talk about it. But the point is the same point as always: following Jesus and joining him in his mission. We need all of Jesus we can open ourselves to receive. We know people who need him also.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NRSV

18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.