A voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love … Listen to him!”
—Matthew 17:5
Often small children will see every cloud in the sky as a little miracle. With their imaginations, they’re delighted to discover all kinds of pictures in cloud formations: funny animals, yummy desserts, smiling human faces, and more.
Then children go to school and learn how to classify clouds into various types with strange Latin names. Do they forget how to see things in clouds, how to rejoice over their discoveries? Maybe so.
In the language of the Bible a cloud is often connected with God’s presence, glory, and grandeur. Today’s passage is about the transfiguration of Jesus. His face shines like the sun, and his clothes become brilliantly white. Then a bright white cloud overshadows everyone present, and a voice says, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
The transfiguration not only supports the identity of Jesus as the Son of God; the voice also reveals that he is the mouth-piece of God. Here we are given a glimpse of God’s glorious victory, an assurance that the way of Jesus is indeed the true way. In the transfigured face of Christ God’s light shines into our lives.
Next time you see a cloud in the blue sky, may it remind you of God’s loving presence, for he is the power behind that cloud and your life.
Father, I praise you for your presence in my life. Give me strength, humility, and wisdom to listen to your Son and to reflect his light into this world. Amen.
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