We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
Summary: There was a reason that Jesus took three disciples up the mountain to witness his transfiguration.
The keyword in today’s passage is the pronoun “we.” This is a word that you do not read in stories about the origins of other religions. The Judeo/Christian traditions are unique in this respect.
Peter, James, and John were all on the mountain with Jesus when he was transfigured (Matthew 17: 1-13). They all heard the same thing. Unlike the disciples who knew Jesus personally, Paul’s Gospel came by revelation (Galatians 1:12). If there were no other corroborating witnesses, then Paul’s Gospel would fall under the same shadow of questionability as any truth claim made by an individual. But that is not the case.
Peter himself validates Paul’s Gospel at the end of this letter (2 Peter 3:15-16). Peter’s credentials include a personal experience with Jesus, but more importantly, from our perspective as readers, Matthew and Luke testify to what Peter, James, and John experienced that day.
In our meditation, “In Search of Truth” we discussed CDS (Cleverly Devised Stories). The thing about a CDS is that it is hard to challenge. In the Perry Mason stories, Mason’s ace in the hole is always the truth. What makes the show interesting is watching as he artfully combines the power of Paul Drake’s detective work with his own deductive reasoning. The result is a construction of the truth that takes on a power all its own.
Truth is like a light in a dark room. It illuminates what hides in the darkness. A Cleverly Devised Story can fool people only as long as the room remains dark. If one person makes a truth claim, it forces others to make a choice: believe them or question them.
Questioning someone requires confrontation. Some people enjoy confrontation, but most do not. If a story cannot be proved or disproved, what is the point of arguing? What harm can there be in letting a questionable truth claim go unchallenged?
The short answer to this is found in Genesis 3. Adam and Eve did not challenge the serpent’s truth claim, and all of humanity has suffered as a result of what followed. We either seek the truth, or we become slaves of doubt and confusion.
In Deuteronomy 19:15, God explains, “A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” One witness is not enough. People are not that trustworthy. With the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we have multiple witnesses. We have the witness of the eleven disciples who saw Jesus after he rose from the dead. We have the testimony of the women who saw Jesus. Paul reports Jesus was seen by five hundred witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6). Many more sightings are recorded in scripture.
Christianity is not a religion based on a myth or an imagining started by only one person. Christianity is based on a real Christ who suffered, died, and rose from the dead for our benefit. He was seen by many people who left their written testimony for us to read today. He also left his Holy Spirit with us, and the mark of his presence on the people he lives in testifies to his reality and existence.
Peter was not alone on the mountain. His claim is not a challenge that requires we take his word for it. There were other witnesses. They all heard the Voice.
Application: Question everything. Use the brain God gave you. Listen to His Spirit in you.
Food for Thought: How would you respond to hearing a voice from heaven?
Very good post this morning Jeff! Thank you
“We either seek the truth, or we become slaves of doubt and confusion.” So very true! Very well put!
How would I respond to hearing a voice from heaven? Truthfully, I think my stomach would drop and my legs would turn to jelly. I also think I would be like everyone who has heard a voice from God and fall on my face. I went back and read Matthew 17, and something stuck me that I had not pondered before. The disciples fell on their faces, but Jesus comforted then and told them to get up. Again, Jesus is that bridge to God, and he is the lead we can follow in confidence that we are doing God’s will.
I also thought about how I do hear a voice from heaven. No, not an audible one (lol), but I find in my walk, as I have grown closer to God, that I can hear a voice of truth behind the decisions I make. This voice is backed in the scripture I have read and continue to read. I like how if I feel angry I can look and see what the scripture says about anger, if I feel joyful I can look and see what it tells me about joy.
Chris,
You remind me of a song by Casting Crowns called, “The Voice of Truth.” I know what you mean by hearing “a voice from heaven.” It is hard to describe. Sometimes it almost sounds audible, and at other times it is more like a gentle hand on my shoulder guiding me. It is real, though. And always with me.
Thank you for sharing!
Great devotion brother. Spot on. All I have to say is amen – and if I heard a voice from Heaven I would want to check what I heard with God’s revealed truth. I don’t trust myself that much.
Thank you, brother!
Your encouragement always means a lot to me. 🙂
Personally I would check my meds first then check everything with scripture. Then maybe have a conversation with trusted brothers about it. No matter whom or what even if angel’s come preaching or saying anything check it with scripture. I cant remember the verses or how God said it, so always check it with scripture!!!!!
Not quite sure but it might be galatians 1:8 or 1:9
Mr. T,
You crack me up! 🙂 Yet, you are so right! What you say is very practical and down to earth. And, as you point out, it is very scriptural. Especially in these last days.
1 John 3:7
Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
Mark 13:22
For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Really enjoying analyzing of the passages, putting it into context, and valuating the passage from a “why was this event worth noting” lense.
Having multiple witnesses to document an event! Think how often something seems unbelievable and you question your own sanity, even though you saw with your own eyes, but still and have to check with those around you, did that just happen? What did you see? Ok I’m not losing my mind. The events I’m thinking of don’t even involve the supernatural. Even if just any one of the apostles had seen it, they’d maybe question it!
As dense as we (humans) are I’ve wondered why God doesn’t just say “hey dummy – here’s the path!” more often. Younger me would ask for a sign that He exists. Older me sees signs of His existence all around, the desire is more for direction than confirmation of His existence. I really liked the final sermon at men’s retreat about many paths, avoid the obvious, but otherwise keep moving. Truth is God probably feels like He provided an instruction manual, if we want to grab the hot pan bare handed that’s kind of on us.
Adam,
It is a blessing to me to have more company on my journey of discovery in God’s Word!
You are absolutely right about our tendency to question our own sanity when we see something that doesn’t make sense. (It happens to me every time I watch the news! 🙂 )
I like your analogy of grabbing the hot pan, too. Thanks!
10-07-2021, 2 Peter 1:18, How would you respond to hearing a voice from heaven?
My son passed on at 44 years old. Was found on his couch with a partially eaten sandwich and a can of beer. I called on God for understanding and He illuminated portions of scripture to me. This was not enough and I continued with a series of “why’s”. God spoke to me, my heart by simply asking me “AM I SOVEREIGN?” I remember pausing and had to answer ‘“of course”. He then asked me “FULL TIME OR PART TIME?”, and became silent as He left it up to me to accept or reject His Sovereignty. “FULL TIME OR PART TIME” God spoke to my heart, I knew it was Him because as His child I recognized His voice and I chose to accept His Sovereignty “FULL TIME.”
We are spiritual beings confined to physical bodies. Without Christ we are “spiritually dead”, under the control of our flesh. All believers have responded to the conviction of the Holy Spirit ( the voice of God calling ) as He opened our ears, and we received eternal life. Today I hear God speaking to me as I prayerfully study His Word, as I rest in the peace He gives in the middle of chaos, as He prompts me and does His Good works through me. And as I walk this world seeing His creation.
John 16:8-13, 2 Timothy 3:16, Colossians 3:15, James 3:17, Romans 1:20
I know me, and there is no good in me, therefore I know I am responding to Gods voice every time I do His will.
Matthew 13:15-16, Luke 8:10, Mark 7:35, Revelation 3:22
Ron,
Thank you! You provide us with a powerful example of what it is like to hear God’s Spirit, His voice, in our lives.