Do You Hear What He Is Saying?

John tripped on a loose rock. Huffing in frustration, he pushed himself to his knees and brushed the dirt off his chest. James stopped beside him, and silently extended his hand. John took it, and hoisted himself up. 

"He sure seems to be in a hurry to get there," John said to his brother while waving his arm towards Jesus. His steps were swift and precise, with Peter right on his heels. James nodded his agreement.

Jesus had asked Peter, James, and himself to accompany Him. He had led them away from the people, and up a high mountain. They were almost to the top. Just moments later, they were there. It was almost like reaching the top triggered some Heavenly switch because supernatural things started happening. 

Jesus was transformed right in front of them! His face shown; his clothes shown. It was like looking into the sun. Two men were talking with Him. John didn't know how, but he knew it was Moses and Elijah. Peter started babbling about making three tents for each of them, but then a cloud of light overshadowed them, and a beautiful, majestic voice said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." And with that, we all fell down.

Jesus told them there was nothing to fear, and soon they were on their way down the mountain. Jesus urged them not to tell anyone what happened until He had been raised from the dead. They were a little bit confused, and finally worked up the nerve to ask Him, "Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?" 

"Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands."

They realized what he was saying all at once. Exchanging looks of awe, John whispered, "He's talking about John the Baptist."

Based on Matthew 17:1-13

Peter, James, and John realized who Jesus was talking about because of a conversation they had in Matthew 11:11-15, "Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Check out this gem in Luke 1:17, "And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared."

Jesus was saying that the one who prepared His way, John the Baptist, was to come in the spirit and power of Elijah. The power of God Almighty. But when John came, everyone missed that little tidbit. 

Notice how in Matthew 11:15 Jesus says, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." It wasn't said in a snotty, figure out my riddle attitude. Jesus said it like one who cries out, "Wait! I need to tell you that I love you!" With all of His heart, he was longing for them to see the truth, like He was saying, "I'm begging you guys to listen. Open your ears to God's voice. Think about what He has said. It's all there. Please see it."

In Isaiah 30:30a it says, "And the Lord will cause his majestic voice to be heard." If God's got something to say, it is going to get said. The Bible is full of little children proclaiming, men and women prophesying, donkeys speaking, and angels delivering. The question is, are we the sheep who hear His voice? When God says something, do we nod like we are paying attention, or are we actually paying attention? Do we miss what He is saying?

When Jesus was among God's people, they missed so many things. Things that were all right there. Things they weren't listening too. Has anything changed? I hope so.