#DailyDevotion Your Experience Won’t Create Saving Faith. Listening To Jesus Does That.
Matthew 17:1–9
After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain to be alone with them. 2He was transfigured before them, His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light. 3And there Moses and Elijah appeared to them and were talking with Him. 4“Lord,” Peter said to Jesus, “it’s good for us to be here. If You wish, I’ll put up three shelters here, one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5He was still speaking when a bright cloud suddenly overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud: “This is My Son Whom I love and delight in. Listen to Him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell face down; they were terrified. 7But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” He said, “and don’t be afraid.” 8They looked up and saw no one but Jesus.
Yes, it must have been such an impressive audio-visual experience. The three disciples go up the mountain to pray with Jesus. While he was praying he was transfigured before them. His face shown like the sun and his clothes became dazzlingly white. He was showing forth the glory that was his that was from the beginning, the glory of the only uncreated God, the glory of YHWH. On top of that, Moses (who died on the other side of the Jordan) and Elijah (who was taken to heaven in a fiery chariot) stood before Jesus and were talking with him. How did they know who they were? Was this a little bit of heaven and in heaven you just know everyone? Did they ask Jesus later and that is how the Gospel writers know? What were they talking about? Matthew doesn’t tell us. Luke tells us they were talking with Jesus about what was about to happen in Jerusalem and his departure, Jesus death, resurrection and ascension.
Now Peter, like most people are experience junkies. He does not want this to stop. He wants to makes tents for the three they are seeing so they will stay longer. Now doubt they have questions and want to ask Moses and Elijah things. But the Father will have none of that. The attention needs to be on Jesus. The Father confesses concerning Jesus as He did when Jesus was baptized, “This is My Son Whom I love and delight in. Listen to Him!” Yes, our attention needs to be on Jesus. Particularly it needs to be on what Jesus says. More on that in a minute.
Well the disciples fell to the ground with a great fear and rightly so, even as Isaiah did when he saw the LORD in his glory. Jesus though bids the disciples to get up and don’t be afraid. Now you would think this would have had such an impact on the disciples for the rest of their lives. But what happens when Jesus is arrested? The disciples flee. Peter who has seen and heard this denies the LORD Jesus Christ three times. They hid behind locked doors. Having an experience like this doesn’t change who you are. It doesn’t change your heart.
Then what will change you and change your heart? Listen to Jesus. We are called to listen to the Word of God. With the Word of the Holy Spirit comes. He creates faith in us through this Word of Christ. Baptism is the water and Word. Absolution from the Pastor is Word of God from Jesus in John 20. The LORD’s Supper is the Word of Christ with the elements and gives what Jesus says, his body and blood given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Don’t focus on the fantastic. Focus on the Word of God and believe it. It is the Word that gives you life, gives you a new heart and changes you through the Spirit who comes with that Word.
Heavenly Father, give us your Holy Spirit through the Word so we may have faith in Christ, listen to him and then do what he says. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.