A Time to Listen

Today's Three-minute Bible Study
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Title: A Time to Listen
Keywords: “listen”
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Passage: Matthew 17:1-8*

1. Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, 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.

4. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

5. While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the clouds 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.”

8. And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.

Questions

1. Had you been in Simon Peter’s shoes, what would you envision yourself doing when Jesus started “shining” and Moses and Elijah showed up?

 

2. Where did Peter go wrong in his response (v. 4)

 

3. What do you think Peter should have done?

 

Practical help

Not too long before Jesus’ life came to an end, He took His “inner circle” of disciples — Peter, James, and John — up to a high mountain, leaving the other apostles down at the bottom. Obviously, it would have been quite an honor to be singled out like this by Jesus.

While they were up on the mountain, something incredible happened. Jesus was transfigured right before their eyes. “His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.”

Then, two of the biggest heroes of the Old Testament, Moses and Elijah, showed up and began speaking with Jesus.

Evidently overcome with exhaustion after the hard climb to the top of the mountain, Peter and James and John had somehow managed to fall asleep. They awoke to this other-worldly scene. Jesus shining, speaking with Moses and Elijah!

This would have been a good time for listening. Peter, though, decided to speak, instead, suggesting that he planned to build three tabernacles to commemorate this wonderful event.

No doubt, God was appreciative of Peter’s fine plan. But He left no doubt, either, as to what Peter should do, instead.

God replied, “[5] This is My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”

This is God’s message to any of us who might be tempted to wallow in sentimentality, or to put aside the hard work of obedience and opt for passivity, when what is called for is bold action.

Listen to Jesus. Do what He says. When it comes to the matter of purity, pursue it for all you’re worth!

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*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."