Dana Visneskie tells the true story of a Native American and his friend who were in downtown New York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening.
Suddenly, the Native American said, “I hear a cricket.”
His friend said, “What? You must be crazy. You couldn’t possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!”
“No, I’m sure of it,” the Native American said. “I heard a cricket.”
The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed. “That’s incredible,” said his friend. “You must have super-human ears!”
“No,” said the Native American. “My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you’re listening for.” “But that can’t be!” said the friend. “I could never hear a cricket in this noise.”
“Yes, it’s true,” came the reply. “It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you.”
The Native American reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.
“See what I mean?” asked the Native American. “It all depends on what’s important to you.
Could you imagine yourself in hearing the cricket, or the dropped coins? Since losing my hearing as a child and permanently in my left ear as an adult, I can truly vouch for understanding how I do not hear things as I once did. But its obvious that where its physical or spiritual hearing, we each are encountering the times in our lives whether we are truly Listening For Gods Voice. From the hustle and bustle of daily life, to the surrounding noises in our life, we have to make a way to deliberate hear God.
I remember when dating my wife she would get a lot of messages from the Holy Spirit, and I would not get them. I often wondered why. Maybe I wasn’t listening to God as much as she was, but I remember asking God am I to marry this wonderful women. I still never Got the memo, but I remember we visited her dad in the hospital while he was there for surgery, I felt the spirit tell me to ask him if I could marry his daughter. Let me tell you that came out of no where. Marriage was not on my mind at the moment. I listened and I obeyed. His remark was, “That’s fine, if you can put up with her!” Then the very next day, not even 24 hours, he died at that hospital. If I did not listen and obey, Gods will would NOT have been fulfilled and needless to say what would have happened between me and my wife.
Listening and obeying Gods voice friends is one of the most important things you can do. I remember when I went deaf in my left ear, I asked God why? What will happen if I go deaf in both ears? I think it would devastate me. You know what His response was? You do not have to ‘hear’ me to hear me, just listen! That stuck with me. Sitting in the back pew of the church, I heard the still small voice that clearly told me, ‘You can do this!’ Here I am now, in the ministry!
Listening friends is not as hard as you may think, its simply to identify what is distracting to your mind, and learning what takes priority to you. Are we listening to the negativity of the world, or what Jesus is telling us? Are we listening to narcissistic people that put us down or are we attentively listening for Gods words to lift us up? Are we giving more attention to what the ‘devil’ whispers in our ears more so than what Gods promises are? Believe me friends when I tell you, God will not set you up for failure, leave you hanging; His voice can be heard.
In starting our journey today friends, we find a very fitting story from Gospel of Matthew in chapter 16 where Jesus has asked a very important question. “Who do you say that I am?” Scripture tells us some said John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Then behold Peter boldly speaks the words, “You are the Christ, Son of the Living God.” I can just imagine having the other disciples staring at Peter at that moment, reflecting upon their answer with his. Then Jesus said “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
If it wasn’t flesh and blood that told Peter, where did it come from? What mystical property did he encounter to give such a statement? Peter heard Gods voice! Despite what other disciples and other people have said, Peter chose to listen to almighty God, where the source of all truth lies upon. Peters story does not end here. Gods voice was still being heard into Jesus next spectacle that only three of His disciples witnessed on earth. His transfiguration. Peter, James and John were given the great privilege of having a first hand account of Christ majesty and power displayed to them in such a way that is most mysterious and even a revelation. You see friends, the sight to behold in Jesus transfiguration is a pledge, God’s commitment to resurrection, to the promise that the various roads to Jerusalem that faithful disciples take are glorious ways to life. Peter, James and John was given the great privilege in witnessing such a testimony of Gods wonder, yet, it is Gods voice that each of them listened to in their journey of life, as we should today.
Just a few days after Peters profession of faith to Jesus, we find Jesus and the three disciples on top of a high mountain, and then Jesus Glory is shown before them.
Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James, and his brother John, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. 2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. I could only imagine what this would look like. A majestic glow, a heavenly light, an experience that no one would want to avoid let alone forget about. But its what happens next I would like you to remember. What Peter does. Peter responded and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If You want, I will make three tabernacles here: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Notice Jesus did NOT respond to Peter. It is very apparent Peter, James and John was witnessing something no one has witnessed firsthand. The miraculous Transfiguration of Jesus. What did Peter want to do? One thing I want to mention here is when a Godly event occurred, it was very common to build a monument, temple to mark the event and to help remember and give Honor to God and the circumstance. Peter wanted to do that very thing. Mark and remember for each of the heavy weights of Gods ministry. He didn’t want to miss it let alone forget it. Peter wanted to take part in honoring God; Peter wanted to hear Gods voice. Peter was listening carefully for Jesus response. Then it came; Jesus gave them comfort, “While he [Peter] was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. 7 And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” And raising their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.”
I would like for you to notice a couple of important points friends. While Peter was still speaking, the Transfiguration happened. God was still working even when others didn’t know what to do! Doesn’t that sound like the living God we serve? When Peter, James and John standing there in awe, not fully comprehending what was happening, God was moving amongst them, giving them direction and instruction. This comes to the next point. What was the last words that came from the cloud? Listen to Him! Whom was this message for? Was it Jesus? Elijah? Moses? It was for Peter, James and John! Listen to Him!
How often friends have we went about our busy lives and we tend ask ourselves, when is the last time I heard from God? When have I felt his presence? Asking the question Are you there God? Its ok to ask God questions, that is absolutely what he desires from His children.
The point I want to emphasize here is the voice from the cloud gives them confirmation of what had been announced at Jesus’ baptism. This gives a seal to the point that Jesus is God’s unique offspring; Peter, James and John have been honored to bear witness to it directly; to be the voice to others what has taken place.
Listen to Him the voice from the cloud said. How many times have you read in scripture the term used, “Those who have an ear, let them hear?” Its just not physical hearing friends. In this moment, the divine injunction to listen obviously evokes a memory to the three disciples of Moses and Elijah, whom they never met in person before. It was told to whom they were.
Are we listening to God in our daily life? Are we bearing witness to Gods voice by the life we live, the life we share, the life we hold true to? Are we listening to others points and opinions or are we Listening to Him, the creator of heaven and earth, the Alpha and Omega, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Friends, the story of Jesus transfiguration is a story of Oneness; story to serve to heighten the distinctiveness of whom Jesus really is; I and the Father are One, Jesus tells us. The voice from the cloud alerts us today to embark Jesus as a teacher, our redeemer, and whose words and ways are to be obeyed, not merely admired.
There’s no doubt the three disciples was a little worried, excited and terrified, all in the same breath. But I want you to try and comprehend friends, even amidst Gods majestic and mystical power, He is sovereign God, Holy in all aspects, to be revered. His mystical power of words of life should always take precedence in our lives and yet, in verse 7, Jesus does something I believe is miraculous to what He even does today. But Jesus came and touched them. Touched them. Not just with words, but with His actual presence. There’s nothing like a touch from someone, a hug from a friend or stranger, nothing like being in the physical company of fellow believers, nothing more compassionate than a wholesome touch from the living God. When we listen for God friends, He touches us, He sits with us, He walks beside us, He guides us, He protects us. Listening for Gods Voice friends is what God requires of His children. Not passive, but actively. I urge you today friends to Listen for Gods calling to you, Obey His instructions, Pray earnestly for His ways to be your ways, and in all things, let Jesus transfiguration be something you cherish knowing He is the living God, the way, the truth and the life. Amen