7July2010 Matt 17:5

^5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"

The most difficult thing for us to do in life is to listen to the Lord. We get busy, like Peter, and want to do things for the Lord. Peter is on the Mount and Jesus is transformed. He gets a glimpse of Jesus in His divine glory. For a few short moments the reality of God in the flesh is seen. Peter knows something unusual is happening and he wants to do something. He wants to make some tents to shade Jesus and His visitors, Moses and Elijah. I really think Peter is trying to be helpful. But in the middle of his being helpful, Peter misses the main point of what is happening. God is validating Jesus' person and ministry in yet another powerful way. There have been the miracles and words that have validated Jesus' ministry as Messiah. But the Lord provides yet another proof for Peter. Sometimes we get caught up in trying to help and we miss opportunities to listen. When people are grieving we so often want to say something that will help, but nothing we say will help. We just need to be there to listen. The voice from this bright cloud says four things. First is that Jesus has a special relationship of Son to the Father. Fathers and sons share the same genetics. Jesus and the Father are both divine. Their uniqueness as Creator God binds them together. Next, the Father says that Jesus is His Loved One. We are all loved by the Lord, but there is only one Loved Son, and that is Jesus. The third thing the Father says is that He is well pleased. Jesus is acting in accordance with the will of God. He is doing everything He is supposed to be doing. And that pleases the Father. When we are obedient, it also pleases the Father. Finally, the Father says that Peter is to listen. Peter was so busy proposing action plans that he was not listening. Just imagine if he had been listening. Peter could have heard and recorded some very deep theological truths. But instead, he was busy. Today, don't let busyness get in the way of listening to the Lord.