Listen to Him
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
Peter said to Jesus, “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!”
When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,”he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. Matthew 17:1-8
Insight
In today’s passage, we read about a powerful moment when Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain. While they’re there, Jesus’s appearance changes—His face shines like the sun, and His clothes become as bright as light. Then, Moses and Elijah show up beside Him. As if that’s not enough, a voice from a cloud says, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him.”
It’s a jaw-dropping experience, but what stands out is God’s clear message to the disciples: listen to Jesus.
God wants them to focus on Jesus because everything He does and says reflects the heart of God. If we want to understand who God is, we just have to look at Jesus.
But what does this mean for us today?
Sometimes we think encountering God means having some big, emotional experience. But it’s more than that—it’s about what we do after we hear from Him. When we encounter God, He’s calling us to respond. He wants our lives to reflect His love, His grace, and His truth in practical ways. It’s not about being perfect or doing everything “right” but about being faithful with the moments we’re given.
Jesus helps us experience God in every part of our lives.
Whether we’re at work, taking care of our families, or just going through our normal routines, we can connect with Him. The challenge is to slow down enough to actually listen and respond. Being faithful in the moment isn’t about striving for perfection; it’s about living from a place of freedom, knowing that we’re loved by God no matter what.
We were made to dwell with God, to draw strength from Him, and to let our relationship with Him shape how we live and love others.
It’s about allowing His presence in our lives to be the foundation for everything else. So when we listen to Jesus and trust in Him, we’re not just living for ourselves—we’re showing the world what life under God’s loving rule looks like.
Reflection
How can you make time to listen for Jesus’s voice in your everyday life?
How does knowing that Jesus shows us who God is impact the way you live out your faith?
Where in your life do you feel God calling you to live more freely and faithfully, rather than perfectly?
Prayer
God, thank you for sending Jesus to show us who You are. Help us to hear His voice in our everyday lives and to trust in Your love and guidance. Give us the courage to live with faithfulness and freedom, knowing that You’re with us in every moment. Let our lives reflect Your love to those around us. In Jesus’s name, Amen.