Listen to Jesus

Listen to Jesus

Lord willing, when we assemble on Sunday morning for worship, we will study Luke 9:28-36. This is the story that is oftentimes titled “The Transfiguration of Jesus.” Within this passage, God gives a command that He desires for every person to obey. Speaking of Jesus, God the Father says, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” God speaks to us today by His Son (Hebrews 1:2); therefore, we are to listen to Jesus. While we have the responsibility to listen to all that Jesus has said in every circumstance that we encounter, let’s consider some specific areas where we need to hear His voice.

We are to listen to Jesus when He speaks about salvation. Jesus, as the way, truth, and life, is the only way that sinful people can approach the heavenly Father (John 14:6). As Jesus acknowledges that there will be few who will find the path to eternal life because it is hard (Matthew 7:14), Jesus tells us what we must do in order to receive the great gift of salvation that He offers. Jesus teaches us that we are to believe in Him (John 8:24). Jesus emphasizes the importance of confessing His name before others (Matthew 10:32-33). Jesus gives the choice of either repenting of our sins or perishing (Luke 13:3, 5). If we want to be saved, Jesus teaches us that we must be baptized (Mark 16:16). We can only be saved when we listen to Jesus; only He has the words of eternal life (John 6:68).

We are to listen to Jesus when He speaks about our priorities. As Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:33, we are to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” We are not to lay up for ourselves treasure on earth but in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). We must love Jesus above our families and friends (Luke 14:26). As Jesus discusses the greatest commandment, we are to love God with everything that we have and others as we love ourselves (Mark 12:29-31). Sometimes, we get our priorities out of whack. We tend to major in the minors and minor in the majors. When we listen to Jesus, we learn that He is the priority that should direct and empower every other priority.

We are to listen to Jesus when He speaks about our relationships with others. In Matthew 7:12, Jesus gives what many people today call “The Golden Rule”: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” When someone slaps us on the right cheek, we turn to them the other also (Matthew 5:39). We love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who abuse us (Luke 6:27-28). We are to prioritize relationships with those who have done the will of God and are a part of His family (Mark 3:34-35). If a person has not been saved by Jesus, we are to share in His mission of seeking and saving the lost (Luke 19:10).

We are to listen to Jesus when we are hurting. Jesus offers an amazing invitation to us in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Jesus warns us that we will experience tribulation in this life, but He also says that we can take heart because He has overcome the world (John 16:33). As Christians, we are blessed even when we mourn (Matthew 5:4).

While there are so many more areas that we could consider beyond the four that are presented in this article, I hope that the main point is clear: we have been commanded to listen to Jesus. Are we obeying that command? Are we listening to Jesus? Please make those questions more personal. Are you obeying that command? Are you listening to Jesus? There are a lot of different voices that call out to us in the world. Let’s choose today to listen to the right one.

-Tyler Alverson

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