The Master's Voice: Obedient Listening Matters
Daily Scripture
Luke 9:28-36
28 About eight days after Jesus said these things, he took Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes flashed white like lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with him. 31 They were clothed with heavenly splendor and spoke about Jesus’ departure, which he would achieve in Jerusalem. 32 Peter and those with him were almost overcome by sleep, but they managed to stay awake and saw his glory as well as the two men with him.
33 As the two men were about to leave Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it’s good that we’re here. We should construct three shrines: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—but he didn’t know what he was saying. 34 Peter was still speaking when a cloud overshadowed them. As they entered the cloud, they were overcome with awe.
35 Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to him!” 36 Even as the voice spoke, Jesus was found alone. They were speechless and at the time told no one what they had seen.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
This week we will look at lessons we learn about God and ourselves from animals. Our pets may not always “get down” the moment we tell them to or instantly stop (over)reacting to animals they see outside. But for their own safety, and that of others, there are times when pets really need to listen to and obey their master. Today’s reading told of a dramatic event (we often call it “the transfiguration”) when God certified Jesus as God’s son. Then came the terse but significant command, “Listen to him!”
- The amazing change the disciples saw in Jesus’ physical appearance seemed to show vividly that he was more than just one more roaming rabbi. But, as though to leave no doubt, God’s voice said of Jesus, “This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to him!” What are some of the main ways you can listen to Jesus today (e.g., thoughtful Bible reading, prayer, meditation)? Are you willing to actually do it?
- Can you recall a “mountaintop experience” in which you felt particularly close to God? If so, in what ways did that experience stay with you when you had to leave the “mountaintop” and go back to everyday life? In what ways does what you “hear” from God in the intense spiritual high moments shape the way you live your life in the “ordinary” day-to-day moments?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, keep my spiritual ears always attuned to listen to you. Help me not only to listen, but to obey you in the ways of living to which you call me. Amen.
GPS Insights
Angela LaVallie Tinsley
Angela LaVallie Tinsley, who served Resurrection faithfully in various capacities, including from her new home in Indiana, until her official retirement a few months ago, first wrote today's Insights in 2014. She oversaw our Facilities ministry and various other worship activities with skill and dedication.
I attended the funeral of a long-time Resurrection member who had served as a pilot in the military during World War II and later went on to seminary to become a United Methodist pastor. I heard stories about this man’s life from his son, grandson, and the pastors who were officiating at the service. As I listened to the ways he had inspired his family, friends, and countless others, I thought to myself, “I hope I can influence even just a small fraction of the people he did.”
The thing is, he didn’t always go around doing heroic things (although piloting airplanes during a war is pretty heroic by most people’s standards). He lived to follow Jesus and to serve God and his fellow man. His son used this quote attributed to St Francis of Assisi to describe his father: “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
I didn’t have a chance to get to know this man until roughly a year before his death, and even then, I didn’t know him well. It struck me as I heard others who were close to him explain that the reason people respected and loved and followed him was because he loved and followed the Lord. He lived out the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels. He listened to his Master.
The world judges greatness and success by a different set of standards than God does. The world sees power, profit, strength, beauty, and popularity as greatness. God looks for humility, service, and love. The world would only see as great Jesus during the transfiguration. Yet his true greatness was evident off the mountain when he healed the sick, ate with sinners, stood up for the marginalized, and died a humiliating death on a cross to save the world.
If we want to be great, it would behoove us to ignore what the world says and ask that clichéd but always-applicable question–what would Jesus do? And what would Jesus, my Master, call me to do when I listen?
