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!”
Matthew 17:5
Jesus is with John, James and Peter on a mountain and there are also Elijah and Moses talking with Jesus. Everything was full of heavenly glory. A voice from heaven cried: This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
I am sitting by the stove read this text. And I feel as if God is saying: You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased! And I get frightened, because yesterday again something stupid happened to me. And I quickly ask Jesus for forgiveness: Lord, forgive me, quickly and thoroughly!! Then I can take God’s Word personally: I am His beloved child!And Jesus makes it clear to me it goes even further: HE has also taken delight in me. That makes me troubled, because I know myself; I am not particularly holy or perfect, and sometimes the old flesh and sin comes up. But Jesus assures me: This is forgotten, it is forgiven! God sees you perfectly pure and holy! Yes, there is no other way: I can not make myself perfect, holy and pure, it is only the grace of Jesus that can do it. How good it is that HE is there, my Intercessor and Redeemer!
The verse continues: Listen to him! Jesus is meant here and to Him we shall listen. Where is there such a gracious, loving king and ruler like Jesus? Where is a Ruler so generous, so charitable, so full of good thoughts for His people? Where is a king offering himself for His people? HE is constantly around us and provides us, protects us and blesses us. I can trust such Lord and listen to Him! He is very kind to me! HE makes himself to have a community with me and we can tell each other everything and I can tell everything what concerns my heart. HE listens to me and gives me advice and help. HE gives me courage, comfort and guidance again. HE is my hope, which I like to listen to!
Thank you, Jesus, you talk with me! You have good words of love and encouragement. You make me always courageous. You do not charge me all my errors, but look for good, and you have a good future for me! Yes, You are my Lord, which I like to listen to!!