The Key Message Is, Listen to Him!

Mark 9:7 (NIV) – Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. LISTEN TO HIM!”

Matthew 17:5 (NIV) – 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!”

Luke 9:35 (NIV) – A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; LISTEN TO HIM.”

The story of the Transfiguration is told by the Synoptic gospels. The three writers wrote three different accounts at different times for different purposes. The details are not exactly the same, except what the voice from Heaven said. LISTEN TO HIM!

Matthew and Mark record that Jesus and the three disciples went to the Mountain after six days. Luke records that it was after about eight days. Were they six or eight days? We don’t know. What we know they are all in agreement is what the voice from heaven said. LISTEN TO HIM!

Luke records that they went to pray and as they were praying, Jesus was transfigured. Matthew and Mark do not mention the prayer aspect. Was Jesus transfigured during prayer or just upon arrival? We don’t know. What we know they are all in agreement about is what the voice from heaven said. LISTEN TO HIM!

Matthew records that Jesus turned white like bright light. Mark records that the whiteness was more than bleached cloth. Luke records that Jesus became like lighting. What kind of brightness or whiteness did Jesus become? We don’t know. What we know they are all in agreement about is what the voice from heaven said. LISTEN TO HIM!

Matthew and Mark record that Jesus was talking to Moses and Elijah, but they don’t tell us what they were talking about. Luke records that Jesus was talking to Moses and Elijah, and they were talking about Jesus’s departure that was coming soon from Jerusalem. Was that what they were talking about? Was that the only thing they talked about? We don’t know. What we know they are all in agreement about is what the voice from heaven said. LISTEN TO HIM!

Luke records that Peter, James and John were sleepy, hence they couldn’t fully comprehend what was happening. Matthew and Mark record that it was the transfiguration that mesmerized them and they didn’t know what to say. Were they sleepy or mesmerized? We don’t know. What we know they are all in agreement about is what the voice from heaven said. LISTEN TO HIM!

There are so many tiny details that vary yet it’s the same story. The differences do not affect the fact that the Bible is God’s word. God did not dictate the Bible. God’s people experienced God and then in their own way and language and even limited memory they wrote God’s word. The message from God is not distorted even when details do not agree. If a friend sends you a gift, and those who received the gift do not agree on the color of dressing of the messenger, that detail is inconsequential to the key message of the gift. Many conflicting details in the Bible where same story is narrated, are inconsequential to the key message intended for us. In fact the differences confirm that these writers acted independently from each other in delivering God’s word to us, and we remain in awe at how consistently true the key message is!

Matthew and Mark record that Jesus told them not to tell anyone about what they had experienced. Luke records that it was the disciples who just went mute about the event, he doesn’t record the instructions from Jesus. Did Jesus give such instructions? We don’t know. What we know they are all in agreement about is what the voice from heaven said. LISTEN TO HIM!

We can choose to focus on either the inconsequential differences or on the consistent message. The voice from Heaven advises Peter, James, John and all of us who read the story – to listen to Jesus! This is the secret of a better life and a solution to everything that bedevils us. If there is one prescription we should be faithful to, it is this one. LISTEN TO HIM!

John 2:5 (NIV) – His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

When the wine at the wedding in Cana ran out, the mother of Jesus told the people to listen to Jesus. Do whatever He tells you. LISTEN TO HIM! If you LISTEN TO HIM, the problem of the shortage of wine will be addressed. The solution to the problem is to LISTEN TO HIM!

Is it a spiritual problem? LISTEN TO HIM! Is it an academic problem? LISTEN TO HIM! Is it a physical health problem? LISTEN TO HIM! Is it a relationship problem? Dating problems? Single people problems? Marriage problems? Parenting problems? LISTEN TO HIM! Is it a financial problem? Lack of money or failing investments? LISTEN TO HIM! Out of the many things you should do to address your challenges, this is also very important. LISTEN TO HIM!

Listen to Him by reading the Bible and praying. Listen to Him by attending worship. Listen to Him by listening to His legitimate servants (many are misleading and masquerade as God’s people but are not – be careful). It shall be well, if you LISTEN TO HIM!

Help me dear God to LISTEN TO HIM. Give me a listening spirit. Give me the desired focus and ability to obey what He says. May my water turn into wine. May my difficulties and challenges dissipate as I listen to Him. May I grow spiritually and closer to you as I listen to HIM. In Jesus name, Amen!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE RIGHT NOW. Someone you know will only know about this article if you share with them. Someone you know needs this article. Share this with one more person. Don’t copy the text. Copy THE LINK or send the website address which is reikesis.com so that they too read the word of God FROM THE WEBSITE and access more. YOU CAN COMMENT on this article at the bottom of the article. Also remember this author has a YouTube channel @ReiKesis which has hundreds of videos for you! Thanks for your loyal support of this ministry!