Bible, Discipleship

Will You Listen To Jesus This Year?

by Jeremy Norton

5 Discipleship Lessons On Listening:

There’s a significant difference between hearing someone speak, and listening to what they’re saying. The difference is often connected to how focused we are on the person speaking, and how we respond.

As we enter into a new year, we should camp on this concept for a while. Specifically within a conversation that took place at Jesus’ Transfiguration, found in Matthew 17; an important moment for His disciples, and for all of us who claim to be Christians.

God the Father gives a very important piece of instruction on listening. Instruction that will help us navigate this next year!

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

Matthew 17:1-4 (ESV)

1. Disciples listen to Jesus. (We don’t just hear Him.)

True disciples (practicing Christians, followers of Jesus) listen to Jesus. He’s not just a feel-good podcast to pick us up when we need Him. There’s so much more than believing in God, when we accept, listen to, and follow God’s Son Jesus, sent to us for our benefit!

It’s so interesting that after Jesus is transfigured, Peter starts calling the shots. But he’s missing the bigger picture. These three are not equal! Moses and Elijah are great, but Jesus is greater! In fact, He is the greatest!

What can we learn? Too often, we get focused on our plans and ideas that we miss the big important thing that God is doing right in front of us. Then sometimes, God has to interrupt us.

2. Disciples are interrupted. (So we’ll listen.)

God may interrupt us when we’re not listening. Like Peter, it’s often when we’re missing what’s really important, and what’s happening right in front of us.

He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

Matthew 17:5 (ESV)

God the Father doesn’t wait until Peter’s finished his game-plan. He wants Peter to stop talking and focus on Jesus.

This is a struggle for every disciple. Sometimes we’re spending time praying and telling God all about our needs and wants, but we spend very little time reading, pausing, meditating and listening.

3. Discipleship can be scary. (When we’re not listening.)

The Father rebukes Peter, but all three disciples get the message!

When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.

Matthew 17:6 (ESV)

They see the cloud and hear the rumble of the Father’s rebuke, and sent them a clear message to be silent. Then Jesus enters into their fear. Moreover, this next moment is an amazing theological pointer to the cross and our salvation.

4. Disciples find courage. (When we listen.)

God, the Father has told the disciples to “listen to Him”. Then Jesus re-enters the scene.

But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”

Matthew 17:7 (ESV)

Jesus places courage back into His disciples. Which, in my opinion, is a unique pointer to the doctrine of propitiation; a pointer toward Jesus appeasing God’s wrath.

Propitiation: “emphasizes the appeasement or averting of God’s wrath and justice.”

Holman Concise Bible Dictionary

God is a righteous judge who demands holiness and righteousness, and who therefore punishes sin. As sinful beings, we deserve God’s wrath, judgement, and punishment. However, God loved you and me so much, that He sent His Son, Jesus who had no sin, to take the punishment for our sin.

5. Disciples “Rise, and have no fear.” (We need to listen!)

The news cycle will keep pushing fear because we consume it! Social media will keep pushing division because we scroll it! Instead, we should fix our gaze on Jesus!

And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

Matthew 17:8 (ESV)

Disciples of Jesus should have a different outlook. Christian lives should display something different. The pandemic has given far too many Christians permission to put the mission of Jesus on the back-burner or snuff it out of their lives altogether. Where have we been? Does the Gospel still matter?

CAVEAT: I’m not saying we should ignore what’s happening in the world, or that we shouldn’t take precautions if there are legitimate risks. And if you are one of our seniors or part of our vulnerable population due to underlying health conditions, I understand that you’re living in a totally different situation than most.

However, for those of us who are healthy, it’s time to rise up, stop being afraid, and get back to what we’re called to! Based on our social media feeds, there’s little risk and plenty of time for restaurants, shopping, and recreation. Most of us could easily answer that call if we really wanted to.