by Cindy Buchanan

freedomfellowship@comcast.net

"After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, the brother of James, and led them up high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. I you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love. with Him I am well pleaded. Listen to Him!" (Matthew 17:1-5).

Words have a way of affecting us. They can either bind or release you. Words can strengthen or tear down. Words can worry you or set you free. The power of a few words is amazing, and because of this, I want us to take a careful look at the story of the Mount of Transfiguration. Notice something very important as you look into what happened with Jesus and three disciples.

In reading of the transfiguration, I began to question something that I had never given much thought about. Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him to the mountain for a special event in their lives. Something was scheduled to happen that had never happened and these three men are about to meet two others that they had never seen. What was the real reason for this dramatic scene? How did Jesus expect to speak to His disciples through such an experience like this?

I really don’t think the reason for the transfiguration was to get the disciples’ attention as to who He was. They already knew this. Peter had within hours of this scene recognized him and proclaimed him the Christ, the Son of the living God.

I don’t think the reason was to display his power. It had been displayed in such a great way because a few days earlier he had fed the multitude with the loaves and fish.

I don’t really think it was so that the disciples could be mesmerized by his glory. His glory was radiant in the miracles and wonders everywhere he went.

I attempted to analyze this and quickly was drawn to something important. There appeared to them a bright cloud overshadowing them. Out of the cloud came a voice which made a proclamation of great importance. "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; Listen to Him." Not only did He have a message for the Disciples, but He also was trying to get our attention. The voice spoke and the voice gave direction. The purpose was simply that we might know we could hear Him.

This transfigured man was not just a normal man, but He was the Son of God. He was not just flesh and blood, but inside Him was the divine spirit of the Almighty. He did not just have great knowledge, but He knew the end from the beginning. He was not just a great instructor, but he was to be the savior of the world.

So the greatest instruction the heavenly Father could provide to us was that we could hear him. We should hear Him. We must hear him. In this hour, we need to hear from God and listen to his voice: It is necessary for our salvation that we hear and heed the voice of God!

The world has been affected in many ways as a result of people’s voices. Hitler motivated a generation of young men to fight in a tragic war as he spoke words of encouragement and hope into their lives.

The great communicator of the 20^th century, Ronald Reagan, could stand before a nation in chaos and turmoil and at the sound of his reassuring voice and words, a world would become calm and trusting.

All because of a voice.

Jesus was standing with the disciples one day and speaking to the crowd about relationship and discipleship. He said that to be close to him, a person would have to partake of his life. That would not be easy and as a result, the crowds began to disperse. Finally, Jesus looked around and saw only the faithful twelve. He in frustration said, "will you also leave?"

Peter, who was always quick to speak responded, bellowed out these words. "To whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life."

What significant inspiration!

Listen to the words that are spoken to you and around you. Some words will get your out of this world. The person standing before you can speak words that will turn your world around when it is inside-out. A man or woman of God may say things that will remove the doubts and fears that normally creep in a life. God’s words can provide you with a wonderful peace that passes all understanding. Listen to Him! Stop and take the time to follow through with the words of our Lord and Savior.

The voices of this world are making all type claims and statements. Voices speak to us that attempt to sway you from Christ. Voices that discourage. Voices that tear down. Voices that certainly provide little encouragement in this way of life are many today. You hear them on the job. You will even hear them at home.

But there is a voice that can speak to your soul. When it seems your life is bombarded with question after question about your position with God and your soul is weary all you need to do is listen to the voice that speaks clearly.

His voice is calling us to righteousness and consecration. He wants us to be close to him and the only way is to hear his voice speak to us.

· When was the last time you felt him speak to you?

· When was the last time you really touched God and knew it?

· When was the last time you broke on the inside as God moved for you?

· When was the last time you opened up to God and allowed him to communicate with you?

· He is speaking today for each of you. His voice is for you. Listen and be changed. Listen and be restored. Listen and be given hope.

· His voice is the only voice we need to hear in troubled and chaotic times.

· Listen to Him!

(Copyright Cindy Buchanan)