While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Matthew 17:5 NABRE
Matthew shares the scene of Jesus and three apostles climbing a mountain and being greeted by Moses and Elijah from the Hebrew Scriptures. Moses represents the law and salvation, Elijah the prophets. Jesus is greeted by a voice, God the Father, and the Spirit in the form of a cloud. The three witnesses fall in fear and honor at what they are seeing. The voice seems to be speaking to them, much as Jesus heard at his baptism, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;” The voice continues by informing those apostles they should listen to him. Of course the apostles knowing their Hebrew history will see Jesus as a new type of Moses who went up a mountain and met God, taking along three friends (see Exodus 24:12-18) Moses receives the stone tablets with the commandments intended for the instruction of the people. The trip up the mountain by Jesus and apostles is intended to affirm Jesus as the Savior, ordained by God and the Holy Spirit, witnessed by Moses and Elijah. Jesus would come down from the mountain and begin His journey to the cross. The three apostles would have this memory of God glorifying Jesus as His Son and Savior, it will confirm in them Jesus’ Messianic identity, particularly in the face of this approaching crucifixion. This “listen to him” confirms Jesus authoritative teaching in the Gospels.
We get to hear these words thousands of years later and take in what is affirmed, Jesus is the Son of God, come to fulfill God’s plan of salvation and we should listen to everything He has to say, in word, deed, and even in His moments of silence.
Do you listen to the Word of God? Do you trust what you see in the word?
Jesus is the Son of God, come to fulfill God's plan of salvation and we should listen to everything He has to say, in word, deed, and even in His moments of silence. Share on X#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #glory #trust #Matthew #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways