Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. Mark 9:5-8 (NIV)
God endorses His beloved Son in our verses for today setting Him above all others to His disciples. Those who follow Jesus are to listen to His still small voice. He will make it clear which way we are to go. I am reminded of the Apostle Paul who desired to go east when the Lord wanted him to go west. We see in Acts Chapter 16:6-10 (NIV): “Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”
If it is imperative for sheep to follow their shepherds for their own safety in earthly terms, how much more so for believers to follow the Lord Jesus? He has left us with His Word and with His power - through the indwelling Holy Spirit - abiding within every child of the King to do this great task. We are not able in our own strength as flesh would surely flee the fires. When we follow hard after the Master, He equips us to do amazing exploits for His kingdom – things too hard for us to accomplish in the flesh – things only He can do through us. Our jobs are to empty ourselves of selves! Be filled with His power and go forth for His glory. This is taking hold of the life that is truly life – the life we were meant to live. Without His power within, we would most assuredly abort mission or fall flat on our faces when the fires of life get hot as it goes against flesh and blood. The flesh flees harm, right? But in the exploits of God’s mighty men, they did not flee. A cursory reading of Hebrews Chapter Eleven confirms that. Mere flesh and blood would have certainly aborted mission in the exploits written about these Godly men. Even reading it, we are in awe of their courage, power and passion. And God was well pleased. It demonstrated their love and trust in Him. Remember, to follow Him is to walk as He walked - obeying the will of the Father - just as Jesus did.
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30 (NIV)