You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.
I am probably like most people and I often need to hear something more than once for it to stick in my head. I believe this is why the Father repeated Himself almost word for word when He addressed His Son the second time from heaven: "This is My Son whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him" (Matt. 17:5). Ultimately, this word spoken to Jesus, is addressed to us. As Jesus said in John 12:30: "The voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes." Jesus didn't really need to hear this word as much we do through Him.
Two Sunday's back, Ivan Doxtator laid a foundation for understanding the significance of these words in relation to the five needs of the soul. This past Sunday my message built upon Ivan's powerful insight by examining the significance of Father's repetition of this phrase to us through His Son. Like repeated words of love and affirmation of a parent to a child or a husband to a wife, our souls need to hear and walk in daily assurance of the love, acceptance, security, identity and approval of God.
The significance of God's reaffirmation to us in Christ was again confirmed by a wonderful inner and corporate witness of Holy Spirit during service. Many reported that they were hearing His word as living and active in their hearts. Interestingly, the second time on the mount of transfiguration the voice from heaven added,"listen to Him." As we continue our theme of hearing God, we are instructed to listen for His voice through the person and work of Jesus Christ. This key to Christian discipleship is echoed again in Hebrews 1:1-2: "God... has spoken to us in His Son ." Everything we ever will hear or need to hear from God will be spoken to us through His Son.
We concluded by examining II Peter 1:16-21 where we are instructed yet another time to internalize the Father's affirmation expressed to us through His Son. Here, Peter who heard the utterance from the "Majestic Glory," instructs us to receive the Father's affirmation not through seeking an audible voice (though this could certainly happen!) but in Christ through the written word of God: For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased"-- and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.
Outward manifestations are wonderful and inspiring. It is through the inner witness of the word of God by which we will the Father's affirmation. This comes know through paying close attention to the written word in unhurried prayer and meditation. Like a light of a lamp before daybreak, the written word of God provides light to the darkness of our unaffirmed hearts. As we do, the Lord Himself, the bright and morning star (Rev. 22:16) will arise and bring light to our hearts with words of the Father's love, acceptance, security, identity, and approval. Feel unaffirmed? Hang on and pay attention: "the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings." (Mal. 4:2) Lamp Word Light Path Feet Bible Scripture Candlelight Malachi 4:2 (29 kb).