While he (Peter) was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen. (Luke 9:34-36)
In a Christian fantasy by James L. Rubart, Soul’s Gate, Reece loses his eyesight. Even though demons took his eyesight away, he knew God allowed it to happen. Even so, he was afraid, as any of us would be. Reece discovers, when he is blind and afraid, he needs to listen to Jesus.
In the middle of a cloud, Peter, James, and John lost their vision and were afraid. God came to them in the spiritual realm and told them, if they still had doubts, that Jesus was His son. Mark and Matthew write that Jesus tells the apostles not to tell others of this spiritual encounter until after Jesus is raised from the dead, so they listen to Jesus as God commanded.
Like the apostles, we are blind to our faults. If other Christians tell us, we get offended. It’s human nature. That’s one reason Jesus tells us not to judge. Only our triune God can change us if we want help. Through our continued study of Luke, we’ll see how God changes the apostles through life’s often bad situations. When we’re blinded and afraid in any situation, whether it turns out good or bad, know that God is with you, listen to Jesus, and be willing to change.
Father, God, as I close my eyes to pray, I can hear better. So, speak to me Lord. Help me listen so I can know Jesus better and understand the lessons you’re teaching me to help me become more like Him. In His name I pray, amen.
All people have faults. I am sure I have faults that I am not aware of but I also know what many of my faults are. I have prayed about them and I don’t really see that I am given any spiritual help with them. Are they part of who I am and I am unable to change them? So maybe my prayer is not serious enough? Maybe I don’t take my faults serious enough? I am not sure. If we pray about them, shouldn’t we get help?
Anger was my worst fault. God worked on me for a long time, and I didn’t see any progress at first. From the time I started to pray until the time I nearly conquered it with God’s help was over three years. Change is very slow.