The Only Voice that Matters....

Imagine that an elite and healthy Olympic sprinter visits the doctor. By all accounts, he is extremely well conditioned and very healthy. However, this same athlete has been having chest pains that he is ignoring. Sadly, this chest pain is life threatening and must be addressed to avoid fatal consequences. Obviously, in this situation, the doctor’s voice and message is not what this patient wants to hear. However, it is the only voice that matters if his physical life is to be spared. Spiritually speaking, the same principle applies to Christ followers. Often, we do not want to hear what God is telling us. But, what if the one voice you need to hear says what you do not want to hear? More succinctly stated, what if not listening to this voice leads to disobedience and/or grave spiritual consequences? Today’s passage presents two commands that we must follow to properly listen to God’s voice: 1) Do not permit other voices to compete with Jesus’ voice and 2) Do not forget that listening to Jesus’ voice leads to a cross. While both commands are equally important, this posting will focus on the first command. 

Today’s passage, Mark 9:1-13, presents Jesus’ transfiguration or metamorphosis. However, to fully understand this passage, we must comprehend what the “transfiguration” is. To help with this understanding, let us look together at two other verses. The first is Romans 12:2 where believers are told to be “transformed” by the renewing of our mind. The second verse is 2 Corinthians 3:18 that states that, as we behold the glory of the Lord, we are being “transformed” into the same (Christ’s) image from one degree of glory to another. In essence, these verses state that transformation is the slow and natural process of born again believers becoming more Christ-like which, in turn, results in us progressively reflecting more of His glory.  

Now, we must recognize that Jesus did not become the Son of God at the moment that He was transfigured. In fact, He always has been, currently is and always will function as the Son within the Holy Trinity. Instead, Jesus' transfiguration was a change in His physical appearance so that His eternal glory could be revealed and displayed to Peter, James and John. So, what does the glory of Jesus look like? Mark 9:3 clearly says that the clothes of Jesus became not just white, but radiant white. Furthermore, verse 6  describes the three disciples as "terrified" as they fell on their faces in fear. 2 Peter 1:16-18 describes the disciples’ experience as follows:  “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.”  

So, how did the three disciples respond when they witnessed Jesus' transfiguration? Scripture, in Mark 9:5, records Peter’s response: "Let us build three tents, one for Elijah, one for Moses and one for Jesus." However, God the Father rebuffed that response in clear fashion by stating "this is my beloved Son, listen to Him" (Mark 9:7). Obviously, Peter wanted to honor Jesus alongside Moses and Elijah, as if all three were equals. The problem was that Jesus, as God, was greater than both of them and is greater than all of mankind. Now, it is easy for us today to judge Peter and ask how he could have been so foolish by not listening exclusively to Jesus, the one voice that mattered. However, do we not do the same thing today even after both reading God’s word and being taught by Godly teachers? For example, do we not listen to culture’s view of sexuality rather than God’s? Do we not listen to culture telling us not to discipline our children because “I want to be his friend, not his cop." And, do we not listen to our culture rather than God when we pursue climbing the corporate ladder in our chase for more money and worldly possessions rather than serving Him in our church or taking time to shepherd our family in God’s ways? Christian, Jesus is not just one voice among many competing for your attention; He is the voice of the Father. Brothers and sisters, you do not have to navigate a thousand conflicting authorities, wondering which voice to trust. Jesus does not just give commands, He gives grace. He does not just give correction, he provides forgiveness. Jesus' invitation, as stated in Matthew 11:28 is simply this: "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest".  The reason that the Father Commands us to listen to Jesus is this: Because His voice provides life, hope and love. The question is simple: Will you listen to the one voice that matters?....  

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