From the cloud on the mount of transfiguration, God said, “This is my Son.” Here God identifies Jesus so that his disciples will have no doubt about his identity. This is God’s Son, whom God sent to earth for a purpose. And that purpose was about to become clearer in the coming weeks. Jesus’ mission would soon lead to his death and resurrection for us all.

“Whom I love.” God’s feeling for his Son is also clear. God didn’t send his Son to earth on some deadly mission because he didn’t care about him. God loved his Son with every part of his being. This was a selfless act by a loving Father who hurt deeply because of what was about to happen.

“Listen to him!” This command was directed at Jesus’ disciples who were with him that day, and it is directed at you and me today. Jesus told his disciples why he had come and what he was about to do, but they didn’t always listen or understand. It was very important, though, that they understand! Only when they understood what Jesus was doing could they share it with everyone else they came into contact with—as he would command them to do later (Matthew 28:18-20).

Similarly, only when we listen can we fulfill God’s commands as well. So as we read God’s Word, let’s listen to what Jesus is saying!