Knowledge to Ponder: Matt 16:21-27, 17:1-8
I have a friend who’s notorious for looking you dead in the eye—nodding and responding like he’s locked in—but five seconds later, he’ll ask a question you just answered. Not because he didn’t hear you. It’s because he wasn’t really listening. His mind was somewhere else.
Now, before we throw stones, let’s be honest—we all do it. Maybe not as often as he does, but we all zone out sometimes when we should be tuned in.
And when it comes to the Word of God, that’s not something we can afford to do.
Hearing and listening are two different things. You can hear someone all day long, but if you’re not listening—really listening—it won’t stick. It won’t move you. It won’t shape you. The truth will hit your ears but bounce off your heart.
Jesus didn’t just talk to fill space. Every word He spoke carried weight, power, and purpose. And since His words are God’s words, we should be leaning in every time we read red-letter Scripture.
In Matthew 16, Jesus starts to explain to His disciples that He’s about to suffer and be killed—but Peter immediately pushes back. In fact, Peter rebukes Jesus. Imagine that! Trying to correct the Savior. Jesus responds swiftly: “Get behind me, Satan!” (v23). Not because Peter was evil, but because Peter’s perspective had shifted from divine purpose to human comfort.
That’s a word for all of us right there.
Peter had his eyes on Jesus the man, but Jesus had His heart set on the mission. Peter wanted to protect what he loved, but he couldn’t yet see the full picture of what God was doing. And don’t we do the same? We get wrapped up in what makes sense to us, what feels safe, what seems good—and we miss what God is actually trying to do in and through us.
Jesus reminds us in that moment: if you’re going to follow Him, it’s going to cost you. You can’t just chase comfort, security, or success and think that’s the goal. Because what good is all the wealth, recognition, or applause if you lose your soul in the process? (v26)
That verse hits hard every time. And it should.
God isn’t against you having a good life, but He’s deeply concerned with the condition of your soul. When our decisions are guided by the world’s definition of success instead of God’s divine purpose, we drift. And when we drift, we stop listening.
But here’s the good news: God keeps calling. Jesus didn’t give up on Peter. In fact, just a few verses later, He takes Peter, James, and John up the mountain for what becomes one of the most sacred moments in Scripture—the Transfiguration (Matt 17:1–8).
Jesus reveals His glory right in front of them, and God speaks audibly from heaven: “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” (v5)
God could’ve said anything, but He chose those words. Why? Because even in the middle of miracles and holy moments, we still need to be reminded to listen.
That’s still true today.
We may not have Jesus physically walking beside us like the disciples did, but we do have His words. We have His presence through the Holy Spirit. And when we slow down enough to read, reflect, and listen—He speaks.
Sometimes I pause and look back on my own journey. I see how God’s hand has guided me—even when I didn’t realize it at the time. Reflection is good for the soul. It’s a reminder that He’s always been there, leading, correcting, providing.
Jacob did the same. At the end of his life, leaning on his staff, he worshiped. And with full confidence he declared: “God has been my Shepherd all my life” (Gen 48:15). He blessed his son Joseph, and his grandsons too—because he saw how God’s faithfulness carried through generations.
And here’s what gets me: Joseph was blessed because he listened. He followed God’s voice even when life was hard, unfair, or unclear. And that obedience didn’t just bless him—it blessed those coming after him.
That’s a lesson for us all.
Let’s be people who listen to God. Who trusts Him when it’s hard. Who don’t just hear His words but take them to heart—and live them out.
And let’s trust that as we follow His lead, He’ll not only guide our steps—but the steps of those who come after us too.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that when I lose my life for You, I find it. Help me to listen to your voice and to follow You daily. Help me to lean into Jesus’s words as Your Word that helps to guide and direct my purpose in this life from You. Father, I am so grateful that You have always been with me and never left me. Thank You that You promised to lead me and speak to me. Help me to listen to you daily and throughout my life. Give me the grace and courage to honor You and Your son Jesus and know that You will always guide and protect me. Amen
Ok listening is an act of worshiping. Don’t lose sight of that. Let’s worship God today in His fully glory. I’m Listening by Chris McClarney; such good worship music.