Luke 9:28-36
Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
There are any number of places we could land in this scene that is so rich in detail. The dazzling clothes, for instance, that perhaps offer a foretaste of Jesus’ resurrection. The “departure” of which Moses and Elijah speak, surely referencing Jesus’ impending crucifixion. Peter’s connection between the appearance of these two figures and the Jewish festival of booths, which is why he offers to make booths (translated here as “dwellings”) for these impressive guests.
But the one that stands out to me this morning is the imperative spoken by the voice from heaven. After restating the baptismal affirmation offered Jesus at his baptism, the divine voice commands the disciples to “listen to him.”
Such a short, simple command. And yet also so difficult. So much distracts us from even hearing, let alone following, Jesus’ voice. It might be the glory of opportunities or persons near us. Or perhaps it’s the challenges or suffering we and those we love are enduring. Or maybe it’s the day-to-day cares of work and family and all the activities that make up even the most ordinary of lives.
Yet the command persists: “Listen to him.” Why? For he is the one that offers us an identity that transcends opportunities or challenges or suffering or activities. He is the one who invites us into the same identity that was given to him: beloved child. He is the one who includes us in his mission to share God’s love and blessing with all the world. That’s why we listen.
There are a variety of ways to attune ourselves to this message. We can go to church. We can pray. We can read the Bible and devotions. We can share our faith and our doubts with those near us and receive and listen to their confessions as well. In each of these ways and a myriad of others we, like Jesus’ first disciples, attempt to listen to him.
However you may go about it, I hope that above the cacophony of voices in which you will surely be immersed this day, you will also detect the voice of the one who lived, died, and was raised again that you might hear and believe that you, also, are a beloved child of God, and that with you God is well pleased.
Prayer: Dear God, speak a word of mercy, love, and acceptance to us that we may, in turn, share that love with all those we meet this day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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