Scripture Reference: While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and 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 (NIV)
Every day we see cars with bumper stickers. Does your family car have a bumper sticker on it? What does it say? Some people have a bumper sticker to show support for their school or a favorite sports team. Others might have a bumper sticker that says they love their dog. I have even seen some bumper stickers with a Christian message. One of the first I ever saw was one that said, “Honk if you love Jesus.” You’ve probably seen that one. There is another one that says, “God said it, I believe it, that settles it!” That sounds pretty good at first, but if you stop to think about it, if God said it, that settles it — whether we believe it or not!
When Jesus was on the earth, there were a lot of different ideas about who he was. Many people thought that he was just a good teacher. Some people thought that he was Elijah or one of the prophets. There were some who thought he was John the Baptist. Even his own disciples didn’t really understand who Jesus was.
One day Jesus took three of his disciples — Peter, James, and John — up on a mountain so that they could be alone. While they were on the mountain, an amazing thing happened. Jesus’ appearance began to change. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Then Moses and Elijah appeared and were talking with Jesus. The disciples couldn’t believe their eyes! Then they couldn’t believe their ears! They heard the voice of God saying, “This is my Son. I love him and I am pleased with him. Listen to what he has to say.”
Well, from that moment on Peter, James, and John had no doubt about who Jesus was. He was the Son of God. God said it and that settled it. Peter himself said, “We were eyewitnesses of his majesty…we ourselves heard the voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the mountain.” (2 Peter 1:16,18)
There are many people today who still don’t know who Jesus is, but we know, don’t we? He is the Son of God. How do we know? Because God said it and that settles it — whether others choose to believe it or not.
Dear Father, we thank you for sending Jesus, your Son. We know that he is your Son because you said so — and that settles it. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.