Text: Luke 9:28-36
Theme: Listening shapes Living
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Picture Credit:  “This is My Son” (2025) –  Digital Painting by Matthew Rosebrock

Intr – I was listening to a podcast recently that brought up something interesting. He was talking to an expert in public speech, and the expert was defending the idea that public speeches should start off complicated. The idea is that by making things confusing at first, you get people puzzled, struggling to understand what you’re saying. Then, as you continue, their minds start to shift, and then you throw more information at them. So, in something like a sermon, you might start with a complex thought, and then suddenly jump to conclusions, forcing them to work through the message, and…

At this point, I’m almost sure you’re thinking, “What does that even mean? This is hard to make sense of! Is this the type of thing our pastor has been listening to?”

You’d be right in wondering. If this were a real podcast I had listened to(it wasn’t) and I took the time to summarize it and bring it to the pulpit, questioning what I’ve been listening to would be completely understandable.

          Why is that? Because Listening shapes living. Words that carry meaning also have power, and they create realities in us.[1]

This reflection comes from hearing the voice of Heaven speaking to the disciples in today’s Gospel: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him.” Listen to Him.

LISTENING

Context: Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain, and suddenly—everything changes. His face shines like lightning. His clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear, representing the Law and the Prophets. This is no ordinary moment, but a special and spectacular miracle. And Peter? Well, Peter does what Peter does—he starts talking. “Let’s build three tents, one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah!” He wants to capture the moment, hold onto the glory. But while Peter is still speaking, something interrupts him: A cloud overshadows them, and a voice from heaven declares: “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” And just like that—Moses and Elijah disappear. Only Jesus remains.

What God’s voice says is important when compared to what people of that time had been regularly listening to (perhaps for lack of a better option): readings and interpretations of the Scriptures by religious leaders that were mostly not good. Now, when Jesus comes, He is the new reality, and it becomes urgent to restore the reading of the OT through the lens the promise of the Messiah – who happens to be right in front of them.

God is not saying that the Old Testament is unimportant, but it is now even clearer that it points to Jesus and must be read through Him. [2] By the way, here’s a tip on Biblical reading and interpretation: you have to be very careful with readings of the Old Testament like, “David defeated Goliath, so now you will defeat all your giants,” “Samson killed a lion with his bare hands, so you can also ‘kill a lion’ per day,” “Pray like Jabez for 90 days and see what happens”. We need to make sure that OT testament runs through Jesus. Everything must be read and interpreted in the perspective of the Messiah who has come to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. Listen to Him!

This begs the question: What do we listen to on a regular basis? Well, you might be thinking, “of course, I know that what I listen to impacts my life”. My point today is to reflect on the things we allow to reach our ears and then we dismiss them with “I don’t even pay attention, it’s just noise” or “I’m just curious, it won’t affect me” or “I know this type of music/movie/series/ etc has a message that is not Christian, but you know, it’s just music/movie/art/fiction”.[3] Among our favorite podcasts, TV shows, people in our daily life, which ones are good, and which ones are dangerous?[4]

God’s command is clear: Listen to Jesus. Here you might object, “Well Pastor, this sermon is not for me, for I am right here, listening to Jesus.” Fair enough, and I agree that staying away from church regularly is a bigger threat to faith. But let’s be honest—just like Peter, James, and John, who were with Jesus everyday, we all struggle with that. Especially because we live in a world full of voices telling us who to be and what to value.

• You are what you achieve.
• You are what you own.
• or, You are how many likes, followers, or friends you have.
• Still, you were created to be happy, you don’t need religion, you need faith, and many more.

We need to realize that the couple of hours we spend at Church is met by 167 hours of the rest of the week, minus sleep time, where we have lots of sound, voices and noise around us. Actually, a lot repetitive, constant and circulating noise—an endless stream of voices competing for our attention.[5], which can leave us all overwhelmed and exhausted.  Then, what we listen to becomes dramatically important.

This is why Jesus points to this importance in different passages, such as John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” And:
_”Faith comes by hearing” (Romans 10:17)
_”Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28)
_”Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24

Listening to Jesus isn’t just about hearing with our ears—it’s about hearing with our hearts. When we listen to Jesus—when we hear His Word of Law and Gospel, when we are reminded of His sacrifice and resurrection—it shapes our lives forever. The disciples, after hearing Jesus, were transformed. They endured hardships, and nearly all of them died for the faith. But they could never deny what they had heard from Jesus—the truth that sets us free.

As I said before, and I’ll repeat it –so you listen to it more than once–, what we listen to is extremely important because what you listen shapes, creates realities in your life.  Think about how words do that:

“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
“You are under arrest.”
“You passed the exam.”[6]

It even impacts, unfortunately, the way people grow up in life. “You are worthless; you are always late; you can never get anything done”.  Words have power to shape lives. Therefore, we want to listen to the right words. The words of Jesus, the words of forgiveness, the words of salvation.

Jesus’ words are those we want to hear again and again, because they create His reality in us. They remind us that we are baptized children of God, that we are forgiven, and that we are sent into the world to share that same love and forgiveness. God’s Word creates realities that impact what we live for. The words of Holy Baptism, (I baptize you in the name…)we see it in Holy Supper (Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed..). We see it in the proclamation of the forgiveness of sins (your sins are forgiven). We see in the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. Words of encouragement “You are a great leader; your devotional inspired me; you did a great job last Sunday.” For Words carry meaning, and Words from the Word carry God’s reality and blessings, which we will used to build the body of Christ in love and fellowship.

SHAPES LIVING

When we listen to something, it is usually because of one of three reasons: it either confirms what you know, expands on what you know or challenges what you know. Jesus’s Words match all three. His Word confirms what you know about Him. Jesus’ Word expands the knowledge you have in faith. And His word also challenges you in your sinful ways and sinful attitudes, bringing a word of Law to lead you to repentance, and the Word of Gospel to forgive. And challenges our expectations, showing that life with him is not about enjoying constant mountaintops, but about enduring valleys and rocky paths. Because Listening shapes Living.

This reminds me that Peter, James, and John needed that moment on the mountain because they didn’t yet understand the path Jesus was taking. Just before this, Jesus told them He would suffer, be rejected, and die. And right after this, He leads them down the mountain—straight toward the cross. They needed to be pointed to Jesus, so that they would listen clearly what Jesus’ ministry is about. The Transfiguration, Jesus’ Ministry as a whole, isn’t just about glory—it’s about preparing the disciples for the suffering to come. And that’s where this connects us. Listening to Jesus doesn’t mean an easy road. It means following Him—through the highs and the lows. Listening shapes living wherever in life we may be.

This brings us to the epistle for today, where we’re reminded that living out what we listen to is not optional. James tells us clearly: if you say you listen but don’t live it out, you didn’t truly listen in the first place. When we listen to Jesus, we learn His Word and will. We make use of His Word, the Sacraments, the fellowship of the Church, the gift of prayer, and the opportunities to serve our neighbor. We avoid listening to voices that harm our faith, and we stay away from attitudes that aren’t grounded in His Word. Our listening impacts our living.

From this, we draw three important conclusions:

We have the right voice to tune into. The world is loud, but Jesus is still speaking—at ear’s length. Or better yet, at heart’s length. His voice is always near, always available.

We can trust that the cross redefines everything. The world views the cross as weakness, but in it, God’s power is revealed. Jesus became the least so that we could be forgiven and made His own. That changes how we live—not to earn anything, but because He has already given us everything.

We can live a cross-shaped life. If listening shapes living, truly listening to Jesus changes how we see people. It moves us toward a cross-shaped life of service, not status; humility, not pride; faith, not fear.

Cc – Dear friends, when the voice of God thundered over Jesus, He wasn’t offering a suggestion—He was giving a directive: Listen to Him! We can gladly listen to that voice and perk our ears to Jesus’ Words. For they are words that shape us not only for this life – they shape our life for eternity.

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[1] It is important to be aware of what we listen to, what we pay attention to, especially if on a regular basis, because chances are high that what you listen to will shape your thoughts, words, and attitudes.

[2]Moses and Elijah—the Law and the Prophets—were given because of Jesus. The whole Old Testament points to Him.

The Pharisees’ and Sadducees’ “podcasts” of the day kept insisting on Moses and Elijah—and not always from the right angle. They would bring in guests to discuss topics like:

1. • “Why you should only walk 1 ½ miles on the Sabbath.”
   • “The importance of making your face look miserable when fasting.”
   • And worst of all, “Why should you expect a glorious Messiah to deliver you from Rome.”

[3] Habit Formation and Behavioral Change
Research led by Dr. Phillippa Lally, published in the European Journal of Social Psychology, shows that on average it takes about 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic. This finding underscores that repeated exposure—even to the ideas and messages we listen to—can gradually transform our daily actions and character.
Read more here

Neural Adaptation Through Auditory Exposure
A study featured in Scientific Reports (as highlighted by Medical Xpress) demonstrates that passive, repeated listening can lead to significant neural changes. This research supports the idea that the messages we absorb through our ears don’t just influence our thoughts—they can alter the very wiring of our brain over time.
Explore the study details here

Language Acquisition and Imitation
Another study in Scientific Reports found that monolingual English speakers, who listened daily to Italian podcasts for just 21 days, began to show measurable changes in their language processing. This illustrates how repeated auditory exposure can subtly shift the way we communicate—emphasizing that our listening habits can shape not only our behaviors but also our very expressions.
Learn more about this research here

[4] With ideas from: “Transfiguration Sunday – Lectionary Kickstart”. Available at: https://scholar.csl.edu/lks/94/

[5] Even when we think we are strong, we should heed lest we fall. Even if we think we are a rock of faith or an oak of strength. Remember the sayings? “Little strokes fell great oaks” or “Dripping water hollows stone.” Little strokes and dripping water of muddy sounds can cause big damage in the long run.

[6] This court finds you not guilty; You are hired; I accept the offer on the house.

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Q&A
1. How did the disciples know it was Moses and Elijah with Jesus?

It is hard to have a definitive answer to this question, but it could have been through divine revelation. The text doesn’t specify how they knew, but it is possible that God provided this knowledge, like how individuals are sometimes made aware of others supernaturally in Scripture (e.g., Peter recognizing Jesus as the Christ in Matthew 16:16). Pastor Lucas’s theory is that, since Jesus was talking with Moses and Elijah, we could simply infer that they heard Jesus saying their names, and that’s how they knew it.

2. Why do you think Peter wanted to build tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah?

Peter’s offer to build tents (booths) likely reflects his desire to preserve the moment of glory. He didn’t fully understand the implications of the Transfiguration and the necessity of Jesus’ impending suffering. His suggestion may also have been an attempt to maintain the temporary glory, avoiding the path of suffering that was to follow (Mark 8:31-33). However, it reveals his awe and confusion about the significance of what he witnessed.

3. What does the appearance of Moses and Elijah before Jesus teach us about our understanding of life after death?

The appearance of Moses and Elijah confirms life after death. We continue to be in the presence of God. Moses and Elijah, though long departed from earthly life, appear alive and in communion with Jesus. This affirms the doctrine of the resurrection of the body and eternal life, as seen in Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:31-32: “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

4. What is the significance of Moses and Elijah appearing with Jesus?

Moses and Elijah’s appearance with Jesus signifies that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Moses represents the Law, and Elijah represents the Prophets, both of which point to Christ (Luke 24:44). Their presence affirms that Jesus is the culmination of God’s redemptive plan as revealed in the Old Testament. It highlights that the promises of God find their ultimate fulfillment in Him.

5. How does the Transfiguration connect to Jesus’ journey to the cross?

The Transfiguration serves as a divine confirmation of Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and the Messiah, just before He begins His journey to the cross. It affirms His divine glory and strengthens the disciples’ faith, preparing them for the suffering and humiliation of the crucifixion. Transfiguration is the bridge between Jesus’ ministry and his “Descent” down to Jerusalem, which will culminate in His death for the salvation of the world (Luke 9:30-31).

6. What does the Transfiguration teach us about Jesus’ divine nature?

The Transfiguration reveals Jesus’ divine nature as the Son of God. This event confirms the truth of His incarnation—Jesus is fully God and fully man. It demonstrates the inseparable unity of His divine and human natures, showing that His mission to save humanity is divinely ordained and supported by the Father.

7. What does this event reveal about the connection between the Old and New Testaments?

The appearance of Moses and Elijah alongside Jesus demonstrates the continuity between the Old and New Testaments. Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets, which point to Jesus as their fulfillment. Jesus is the “Yes” to all God’s promises in the Old Testament (2 Corinthians 1:20). The Transfiguration affirms that the Old Testament Scriptures were fulfilled in Christ, who is the culmination of God’s plan of salvation.

8. How does Jesus’ glory in the Transfiguration help us understand the importance of His suffering and death that will follow?

The Transfiguration reveals Jesus’ divine glory and emphasizes that His suffering and death are not signs of defeat but the necessary means to achieve glory and salvation. The glory of the Transfiguration points to the ultimate glory that will come through His crucifixion and resurrection. It reminds us that God’s plans often involve suffering before glory (Philippians 2:8-11).

9. You mentioned “Listening shapes living.” It is not optional. How can we practically live out the command to “listen to Jesus” in our busy, modern world?

In our fast-paced world, listening to Jesus involves regular engagement with His Word – Bible reading, prayer, and meditating on Scripture. We can also “listen” by attending worship services, where God speaks to us through the preached Word and the Sacraments and where we are in community with brothers and sisters in the consolation fratrum.

Consolatio Fratrum (the consolation of the brothers) is a Lutheran concept emphasizing mutual encouragement and comfort among Christians, particularly in times of trial, doubt, or suffering. Rooted in the biblical call to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and in Luther’s theology of the cross, it highlights how believers strengthen each other through confession, prayer, and the sharing of God’s promises. This practice is not merely human sympathy but a means through which Christ’s grace and assurance are made tangible in the Christian community, reflecting the priesthood of all believers and the power of the Gospel to sustain faith amid struggles.

10. How do we listen to Jesus—especially when the Bible sometimes feels hard to understand?

Listening to Jesus involves a humble heart, prayer for understanding, and a willingness to engage with Scripture. When the Bible feels hard to understand, we seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance, read with others in Bible study, and rely on sound theological resources. The Church’s historic creeds and confessions also provide clarity on key doctrinal points. The key is persistence and trust that God’s Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11).

11. How can we help others in our community “listen to Jesus” when they may be experiencing doubt or a crisis of faith?

Supporting others in their faith requires patience, compassion, and encouragement. We can remind them of God’s promises in Christ, share the comforting truths of Scripture (e.g., Romans 8:38-39), and point them back to the means of grace—Word and Sacrament—where Jesus speaks directly to us. Prayer for their faith is crucial, as the Holy Spirit strengthens believers in their time of need.

We can support those struggling with doubt by listening with compassion, offering Scripture for comfort (Psalm 34:18), and praying for them. Remind them of God’s promises in Christ and the hope we have in His resurrection.

12. Are there specific ways we can help each other listen to Jesus better?

We can encourage one another by fostering a culture of mutual accountability and support in our congregational life. This can include regular Bible studies, prayer groups, and mutual encouragement. We can support each other in material and physical needs, offer support in listening and caring, and in conversations focused on Scripture and how it applies to life can help others focus on hearing Jesus in their daily circumstances.

13. You talked about “the noise around us.” What are some of the biggest distractions or voices we face in our daily lives that make it hard to listen to Jesus?

The noise around us often includes cultural pressures, social media, work demands, entertainment, and personal anxieties. These distractions pull our attention away from the still, quiet voice of Jesus, calling us to follow Him (1 Kings 19:11-13). The key is to intentionally create and attend moments and spaces where we can listen to Jesus through His Word.