Listen to Jesus’ voice
On August 10, 1977 David Berkowitz was arrested and charged with killing 8 and wounding 7 people. He claimed he was following a voice that instructed him to kill, the voice coming from a neighbors’ dog named Sam. Thus he was called “Son of Sam.” What voices are we hearing today? Voices come to us from books we read, magazines, television, computers, social media, and friends. We hear voices telling us to eat rich foods in large quantities, which often lead to obesity. We hear voices telling us that it is great fun to drink alcoholic beverages to excess, which often leads to alcoholism. We hear voices that tell us that commitment to marriage is bad and living together without marriage is the norm today. And one may argue that as long as no one is hurt, what difference does it make?
When Jesus was transfigured on the mountain “a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’” (Matthew 17:5). Here we hear a voice different from others we are hearing: “Listen to Jesus!” And what is it that Jesus tells us that we should listen to? “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3). “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).
The voice we are hearing here gives us great joy and happiness: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus came to Earth, God became a Man, to pay the penalty for our sins. “[F]or all have sinned and fall short of the glory God,” Paul tells us (Romans 3:23), and “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). But then he continues, Romans 6:23; “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
We deserve the penalty of death for our sin, but Jesus being true God, died for sin, not for his own since he was sinless, but he died to pay for all the sins you and I have ever committed. He died, and then he rose again from the dead, and assures that, believing in him and trusting in his saving act of dying for us, we will also arise from the dead to live with him forever in his kingdom.
For over fifty years I worked, both as an accountant, and as a pastor. When I turned eighty years of age I finally retired to a life of leisure. I am enjoying making things; I enjoy the foods I eat, I enjoy the occasional alcoholic drink. But I eat and drink in moderation, not abusing my body. While I am enjoying retirement, I know the day will come, sooner or later, when I will die and leave this earth, and I am enjoying waiting with anticipation for the day when I will see my Lord and Savior face to face in his eternal kingdom.
The voice of Jesus with his wonderful promises gives me great joy, both while living in this world, and also in anticipation of the world to come. My hope for each of you is that you also are living in the wonderful and joyful expectation of the life to come, living with God forever in his kingdom. Listen to His voice and let it control how you live in this life.