Listen to Him

"Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. " - Mark 9:5-8

This time, it's not Jesus instructing us, it's not one of his followers, it's God. God has given us three words that literally changes our lives forever - "Listen to Him."

For everything Jesus says, everything he preaches going forward - from how to pray, to how to love each other - God entrusts Jesus enough to command us to Listen to Him. It's why our laws as Christians are so different from those of the past. Jesus's word becomes Word. His laws become the Law. And his life becomes an example for us all.

The transfiguration - of which this describes - is more than Jesus being bathed in white linens and chatting with old prophets - it's literally a transfiguration of our lives forever - in how we see and know our Heavenly Father; how we speak to and understand God. It is one of the most powerful accounts within the Gospels, and one that, up until now, has never given me such pause.

This is the moment - the pivotal moment - that Jesus' three followers - and us - see Jesus for who he really is. The Son of God.

That should give everyone some pause.