Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

  • Home
  • Tennessee
  • SBC
  • Columnists
  • SS Lessons
  • Tennescene
  • Radio B&R

A SAVIOR WORTH FOLLOWING

September 11, 2023

By Ann Lovell
Contributing writer, Baptist and Reflector

One of the most awe-inspiring moments of Jesus’ ministry — second only to His death and resurrection — has to be His transfiguration on the mountain in Matthew 17. 

Jesus took his closest disciples — Peter, James and John — up the mountain, and the three men watched as Moses and Elijah came to life and carried on a conversation with Jesus. 

Peter doesn’t know what to do with all this, so like many of us in the absence of a plan, he comes up with his own plan to glorify Jesus: He decides to build tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. 

Here’s the part I love most: “While he (Peter) was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said: 

‘This is My beloved Son. 

I take delight in Him. 

Listen to Him!’”

Lovell

Let this sink in: Peter’s construction project was interrupted by the voice of GOD! “Stop talking, Peter. Listen to Jesus.” 

What happens next is predictable: “When the disciples heard it, they fell facedown and were terrified.” That’s a reaction I would expect to have in that situation, too. 

I’m touched most deeply, though, by Jesus’ reaction. “Then Jesus came up, touched them, and said, ‘Get up; don’t be afraid.’ ” Matthew 17:5-7

The man who has just been glorified as the Son of God in your presence, the One you’ve been told by Almighty God to listen to, stoops down, touches you, and says, “Don’t be afraid.” 

I don’t know how the voice of God may have interrupted your plans to glorify Him. I don’t know how many times you may have heard, like I have, “Stop talking. Listen to Him.” 

But a God who will stoop down to comfort me when I am overwhelmed and afraid in His presence? That’s a Savior worth following. B&R — Ann Lovell has written about Baptist work for more than 20 years. She is a member of the Church at Station Hill in Spring Hill. She lives in Columbia, Tennessee.

Facebooktwittermail

Filed Under: Featured, Opinion Column

Subscribe Classifieds Advertise About

Popular Posts

Recent Posts

  • SBC PRESIDENT PRAYS FOR ‘RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE’ IN SENATE OPENING PRAYER
  • BELLEVUE ANNOUNCES MANDRELL AS PASTOR CANDIDATE
  • TEXAS FLOOD CLAIMS 27 LIVES AT CHRISTIAN CAMP
  • WHAT IF THEY NEVER HEAR THE GOSPEL?
  • JULY 13: GOD’S DELIVERANCE

Address

4017 Rural Plains Circle
Franklin, TN 37064

Contact Information

Mail: Baptist & Reflector, P.O. Box 682789, Franklin, TN 37068
Physical Address: 4017 Rural Plains Circle, Franklin, TN 37064
Email: bandr@tnbaptist.org
Phone: 615-371-2003

2025 © The Baptist and Reflector. All Right Reserved.

Copyright © 2025 · Metro Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in