The Transfiguration of our Lord March 1-2, 2025
“Just Listen” Luke 9:28-36
Rev. John R. Larson Ascension Lutheran Church Littleton, Colorado
Last week Marilyn and I were talking, well actually, she was talking and I was listening. She started with only two words and I quickly gave her my answer. But she stopped my answer in mid- syllable and said, “That’s not what I was going to say – just listen.”
I’m not a good listener. And I think I’m getting worse with age.
I listen to a few words from her, from you, and I’m quickly formulating my answer, defense or rebuttal. I bet I’m not alone.
When reading the account of the transfiguration of Jesus I see the same things happening. Jesus takes the inner circle of His followers – Peter, James and John – to a mountain for a time of prayer. Then all at once, the glory and majesty that has always existed in Jesus on His inside is manifested on the outside. The appearance of His face changed and His clothes became illuminated – bright as the sun. Then two dead guys, Moses and Elijah – the great lawgiver and the famous Old Testament prophet, who didn’t look dead at all – showed up to talk to Jesus.
This was too much. This was too great. Peter, when seeing this said, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (Luke 9:33) Peter wanted to fix this moment forever. Put down the pegs, set up the tents. We’re staying.
But God had others plans. It wasn’t about them staying and watching. It was about them just listening. It says, “A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” (Luke 9:35)
In all of our planning, in all of our organizing, there are times when we must give that all up and simply listen to God. “Be still, and know that I am God.” is what the Scripture says. (Psalm 46:10) There are times in life when we shouldn’t try to fix things, or plan or program, but just listen to what God is saying. Today is one of those days.
Are you a good listener? Today I especially want to ask you if you are a good listener of God. James, the author of that amazing practical book in the Bible writes, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19) But sometimes we don’t want to listen to God. We don’t want to hear what He wants to say to us. This section begins with an interesting introduction – “About eight days after Jesus said this…” Days just before this Jesus told His followers, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (Luke 9:22) But they didn’t want to hear that, right? To such words that were too hard to hear, Peter took Jesus aside and began to speak very sternly and harshly to Him, “Never, Lord!
This shall never happen to you.” (See Matthew 16:22)
It was too hard for Peter to hear that Jesus, the Messiah, the Chosen One, would be hated, despised and crucified. He had to have more glorious days ahead of Him. Sometimes we don’t like to hear what God has to say to us. He asks too much. He demands too much. “Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life.” (Romans 6:12-13)
Jesus spoke about a foolish man whose ears would not listen to the ways of God. His life, his house crashed. “But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Matthew 7:26-27)
There are too many conflicting voices in this world – voices that do not come from God. Which ones are you listening to? There are voices that are contrary to what God says. Voices that don’t follow the ways of God, that do not build up your faith, and that don’t lead us to a solid house that is built upon His word, are spoken loudly daily.
Is Scripture read regularly in your life? Why not? Reading the Bible is listening to God. It is hearing what He has to say. It is building your house not on sand, but on rock, as Jesus says. In II Timothy we read, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3:16-17)
On the days when the devil assaults you with temptations and lies, listen to another voice that is true and will guide you and will save you. Just listen. On the days when you need to know that you are God’s child, that your sins have been forgiven and that you are considered clean and pure in God’s eyes, just listen to what God says about your salvation and assurance – all received by faith in the works and life of Jesus Christ. His voice is the only one that matters. On those days when you are overwhelmed by what lays before you in your life just listen to the promises of God’s strength and Spirit in your life. Take a breath. Slow down. Just listen.
On that mount of majesty, on that first Transfiguration Day, the directive from God the Father was, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” (Luke 9:35) Peter, later would write about that glorious day, “For we did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard that voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.” (II Peter 1:16-18)
John Calvin is the founder of the Presbyterian Church. Calvin was born in 1509, when Martin Luther was 26 years old. Calvin has a great quote. He says, “To walk rightly in the Word of God is never to cease to be amazed.” Pastor Bruce Keseman says, “Pay attention when the Father says, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him’. Listen to him when he says you must take up your cross and follow him. Listen to him when he says, ‘The Son of Man must suffer, be killed, and on the third day rise.’ Listen to him when he says, ‘I forgive you all your sins.’ Listen to him when he says, ‘This is my body given for you’ and ‘This is my blood shed for you.’ Listen to him when he says, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’” (Concordia Pulpit Resources, March 2, 2025, Page 54) Just listen: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27) Just listen: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3)
Today is Transfiguration Sunday. Wednesday begins the blessed time of Lent. Maybe you’ll give up something during those 40 days. But more than that, I want you to receive something. Receive God’s word. Open your Bibles. Be regular in worship. This is the time to receive grace. It is the time to receive more of Jesus. This is the time to know His words that guide you and bless you. It is the time to just listen to your great and glorious God.
Open your ears. Open your heart. Open your mind. Just listen – God has great things to say. Amen!!
