Listen to Him
One day Jesus took three of his closest friends up to a high mountain away from everyone else. Something happened to Peter, James and John on that mountain that defies description. We call it the transfiguration. Their senses were dazzled. They saw Jesus as they had never seen him before. Babbling away, Peter offers what appears to be a magnanimous gesture:
“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.” 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 17:4-5
Whatever happened on that mountaintop, the disciples of Jesus understood, for a moment at least, that God was with him; that when Jesus spoke they needed to listen, because it was God speaking. They also needed to watch what he did, watch very carefully from then on, in him God was acting.
What does transfiguration have to do with us? First, the miracle of Jesus is that he comes not at our invitation, not because we have earned the right. He comes to us because that is what love does. In addition, it means that he has revealed himself to us for who he truly is. Every other altar or tabernacle; shelter or idol is to be removed in the presence of the One, and only One, to whom we listen and follow. Yet, how do I know if there are competing altars in my life? Am I certain that those altars, however good or benign they may be, have not become my idols? Have I truly been honest with myself about my altars? Have they become idols? As honestly as you can, consider these questions:
- Am I content at this stage in my life with the money and possessions that I have or do I feel I need more?
- Am I seeking more power and control in my life or do I feel this is sufficient for me at this time?
- Do I have or am I pursuing a relationship in my life that I feel that I must have for my life to be truly fulfilled or meaningful?
- If no one would find out or I would not be caught, is there anything that I am willing to betray my values to obtain?
- What craving is so strong that it can distort my thinking and make me engage in denial, self-justification, and secrecy?
- Am I able to identify the things that keep me from following Jesus fully? Are they, in my life practice, sufficiently stronger to influence or control me than what I profess to believe?
God gives us those rare moments in life when there is no fog, no haze, no trees, no obstructions where you clearly see the truth about Jesus, and the truth about yourself. He gives those moments of clarity where you know something is the way it is supposed to be. He has revealed himself to you for a reason. Have you surrendered yourself to it and to Him? That is our moment of truth. Listen to Him. Just listen to Him.
Jesus is all we need. “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3).
Jonathan Milliner said this on March 12, 2011 at 3:36 am |