Those who are deeply concerned about divine and heavenly matters want to listen to Jesus and obey His words. Long before the Lord Jesus was born of a virgin, God revealed through Moses that a prophet would come whom God would require people to hear and heed: "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear...And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him (Deuteronomy 18:15, 19 NKJV). The Jews, who were curious about who John the Immerser was, asked John a series of questions concerning his identity. Among their questions they asked, "Are you the Prophet?" John answered, "No" (John 1:19-21).
In an interesting way and with very clear words, God removed any doubt about "the Prophet," specifically identifying Jesus as the Prophet whom Moses foretold would come and the One we should hear. When Jesus was transfigured and Moses and Elijah were present with Him, the heavenly Father's voice boomed forth: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" (Matthew 17:5). The startled disciples, who fell to the ground on that occasion, lifted up their eyes and no longer saw Moses and Elijah..." they saw no one but Jesus only" (Matthew 17:8). Moses and Elijah faded from the scene, but Christ and His words will never pass away (Matthew 24:35). We must keep our eyes permanently fixed on Jesus - "looking to Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2) - and we must hear Him.
The mother of the Lord recognized the importance of hearing and obeying Jesus: "His mother said to the servants, 'Whatever He says to you, do it'" (John 2:5). Sadly, based on the Scriptures, most people will not do what Jesus says. According to Jesus - and contrary to popular opinion - the majority of people will not go to Heaven. They will choose the path of least resistance and follow the broad way to destruction: "there are many who go in by it" (Matthew 7:13). The way to Heaven is narrow and difficult, "and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:14).
Jesus clearly said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Unfortunately, there are those who call Jesus "Lord" in vain: "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). Jesus further stated, "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock" (Matthew 7:24). Those who build on Jesus as their Rock will stand the test of time and temptation. Only fools refuse to do what Jesus says. . . and fools will fall (Matthew 7:26-27). In order to be a spiritual success, we must listen to Jesus.
Whether it is a matter concerning the weekly frequency of eating the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:26) or actively participating in the kind of singing that pleases God (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13) - or whatever the discussion may be - Jesus is the FINAL AUTHORITY (Matthew 28:18). Hear Him!
Timothy Sparks, Leedey, OK
