While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. (verses 5-8)
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Focused on Jesus. That’s what this event is all about. Disciples, keep your eyes and ears focused on Jesus, nowhere else. You who read this chapter, do the same.
The blazing brilliance of Jesus’ face, glory radiating even right through his clothing, initially captured the attention of Peter, James and John. Rightly so. But then distraction arose, the disciples’ eyes flitting back and forth between Moses and Elijah and the Master. Peter takes it upon himself to propose an action step: the construction of tabernacles, one apiece, equally dividing focus among the three.
But the Father’s voice from heaven redirects, refocuses. When the cloud of his glory dissipates, the only remaining object within their line of sights is Jesus himself.
Point made. Lesson learned. Eyes on Jesus.
And ears, too. The voice of the Father, emanating from that glory, specifically directs those three disciples to Jesus. “Listen to him” – that’s the divine command. So simple. So clear.
It is the Father’s delight to have all glory dwell in the Son (Col 1:19). It is his will that we keep eyes focused on Jesus’ person, our ears tuned to his voice.
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So, today, Lord Jesus, I choose to hone my focus. Please, by your Spirit, redirect my gaze whenever the distractions of my world pull me off centre. I have meetings today, planning to do, phone calls to make, people to visit – you invite me to do it all as unto you, eyes focused. So please remind me.
And I choose to let your voice echo in my ears all day. May this word of scripture ring in memory and imagination, keeping your presence clear. I want to be attentive, listening for your direction, moment by moment, as I plunge into my day.
The disciples, even on that mountain of your transfiguration, needed to be prompted to re-focus. I, too, will need those prompts. Thank you in advance, Father and Spirit, that you delight to do it. I submit eyes and ears to Jesus’ glory.
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Plan ahead: Choose a time, later in the day, that you will take a 10-minute retreat to consciously place yourself in Jesus’ presence. Set a timer as a reminder. When it’s time, sit quietly and reflect, or take a short walk, or put on some worship music, or whatever it takes – focus afresh on Jesus himself.
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