Jul 04 – A Voice from the Cloud!

“And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!’” (Luke 9:35).

On one occasion, Jesus took three of His disciples—Peter, John, and James—up a mountain to pray. There, He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His garments became dazzling white like the light. Moses and Elijah also appeared in glory and spoke with Him.

At that moment, Peter said to Jesus: “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Luke 9:33).

Then a voice was heard from heaven: “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5). Likewise, when Jesus was baptized, “Suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” (Matthew 3:17).

Here, Moses represented the Law. Therefore, the Israelites listened to the voice of Moses. Elijah represented the Prophets, and the people paid attention to his prophetic words. Both belonged to the Old Testament era.

But now the age of New Testament grace had begun. Heaven itself honoured Christ and declared, “Hear Him!”

No matter how glorious Moses and Elijah were, and no matter what they spoke on the Mount of Transfiguration, neither of them gave their life for you. Christ alone gave His life for you. Christ is also the Judge who is to come. Therefore, it is His voice that deserves your highest attention.

In earthly life, we may have to listen to many voices. Yet above all, we must listen to the voice of the Lord. We need not yield to any voice that contradicts His will.

A godly young woman was married by her parents to an army officer who struggled with drinking. He often spent his evenings drinking and attending parties with fellow officers. One day, he instructed his wife to serve alcohol to the guests and join them in dancing.

She refused. The husband then reminded her of the biblical teaching that a wife should submit to her husband.

But she replied: “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:22). She firmly answered, “The Scripture teaches submission as unto the Lord. I cannot obey you when your request is contrary to the Lord and grieves Him.”

Children of God, obey the voice that comes from heaven with holy zeal and devotion. As you do so, you will be blessed not merely for a season, but for all eternity.

Verse for further meditation: “When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.” (Matthew 17:8).