Matthew 17:5

“Listen to him.”

It is the voice of God Almighty, heard in both heaven and earth.  “Listen to him.” I remind myself of the setting.  On the mountaintop with Jesus, the venerable Moses appeared and the miracle working Elijah, both holding conversation with Jesus, urging him to carry through no matter what. The salvation of mankind hinged on Jesus’ willingness to pay a price that we can barely even begin to understand. From the standpoint of those disciples who had been raised to revere Moses and Elijah, it was all too quick and confusing. It was a scene that needed interpretation.

Before them were those who might answer their questions, all legal questions to Moses, all miracle questions to Elijah. Moses had something to say and Elijah had sometiing to say and these disciples were ready to hear, eagerly ready.

At that moment a heavy cloud descended upon the mountain, so heavy that they could barely see. Then, as the cloud slowly lifted God’s voice broke the eerie silence, “Listen to Him.”  I note, not “To them.”  Only one is the Word of God. Was it Moses – or Elijah?  As the cloud lifted the three saw one person only. It was their Jesus. In him was the fullness of God. He is greater than Moses  and superior to Elijah.

All of life changed as it did for me when I realized that the entire focus of my life will be centered on Jesus Christ, God’s Lamb and Savior of mankind. When the cloud lifted, they saw “Jesus only.”  Oh, for a daily reminder of that! Only one person matters, Jesus. All other voices are commentary.

May his kingdom come on earth, beginning with me.