Listen to Him!

By the Rev. Robert Blezard

Revised Common Lectionary reflection for Transfiguration Sunday, Year C
March 2, 2025

Key verse: Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”  -Luke 9:35

My school-age children were in the middle of a video game one evening when I entered the living room and announced, “Dinner in 5 minutes! Put the game on pause and go wash your hands.” They looked up, nodded sincerely and said OK.

When I returned to the living room seven minutes later, they were still playing the game, their hands unwashed. What’s up with that?

They certainly had heard me announce dinner; that was not the problem. Their ears worked fine, and, as native-born Americans, their English skills were top notch. They certainly had heard and understood what I said, but failed to listen.

Listening would have required them to hear my words, registered what I had asked, formulated a plan of action, and then acted on it. Not that hard. We do it all the time.

Their failure to listen — really listen — parallels how many Christians often hear the words of Jesus but don’t truly listen. For this week’s preaching, a sermon could focus on what it means to listen to Jesus.

In Luke’s Transfiguration account, after Jesus glows dazzling white a voice from the cloud commands, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35). Take a moment to appreciate this. It is extremely rare in Scripture that God’s very own voice cries out from the heavens to mere mortals. Sure, God communicates one-on-one with the prophets – in dreams, nudges, awareness, and perhaps conversation – but not like an announcement over a loudspeaker at a football game. Obviously, we (like the disciples) pay attention.

Imagine the astonishment of the disciples, having just witnessed their master transformed from a dusty, road-weary rabbi, into a dazzling white divine being, now being told who Jesus is and the command to “listen to him!” As if they wouldn’t?

Perhaps the Almighty, aware of the long history of God’s people hearing but ignoring the teachings of the Torah, the admonishments of the Prophets and the Wisdom of the Writings, felt an additional command was in order.

Whatever the reason, God’s instruction is a clarion call for disciples then – and now – to not superficially hear (or read) the teachings of Jesus but to internalize them, to consider them deeply, and to act on them in our daily lives.

Hearing is a passive act, whereas listening requires engagement and intention. Many of us are guilty of encountering Jesus’ words in Scripture or hearing them aloud in church and sermons but fail to let them penetrate our hearts and direct our actions. We nod in agreement during church services or Bible studies, much as my children did when I called them to dinner, but then return to our routines unchanged.

Listening to Jesus means more than merely acknowledging his words. It means letting his teachings challenge us, transform us, and guide us in our everyday decisions. It’s about striving to live out the principles of love, compassion, and justice that he taught and exemplified. Just as my children needed to hear, understand, and act on my call for them to wash their hands and come to dinner, so too should faithful Christians hear, understand, and act on Jesus’ call to follow him.

Because Transfiguration Sunday ends the church season of Epiphany, a preacher can urge congregants to take seriously God’s command, “Listen to him!,” as they enter into the penitential season of Lent. Challenge them, as they practice spiritual disciplines, to listen and put into their hearts what Jesus is telling them about life in the spirit.

With children

Using craft paper or cardboard, make a megaphone to bring to a Sunday school class or a children’s message. First, without the megaphone, speak to them in a lower-than-normal voice. Then, using the megaphone, speak in a slightly louder-than-normal voice. Ask them which one they paid more attention to, and why. Point out that when we read the Bible or hear Jesus’ words spoken, we should pay attention to them as if they were spoken with a megaphone, because they are important.

With youth

Discuss with the youth how, when, and for how long they use their headphones or earbuds: At home, at work, at school, at church, elsewhere? Let all reply. Then ask them if they’ve ever missed anything important while “tuning out” the rest of the world, such as a friend talking to them, school announcements, instruction from a teacher or church worker, a parents’ conversation, car approaching. Discuss the importance of listening and relate it to God’s command to the disciples that they listen to Jesus. Why is THAT important?

Here are previous reflections for Transfiguration Sunday, Year C
2022 – Changed
2019 – The view from the top
2016 – With great boldness