“耶稣进前来，摸他们说，起来，不要害怕。他们举目不见一人，只见耶稣在那里。” - 太 17:7-8

几年前，我还是一个年轻的青少年牧师时，我坐在一个高大的木塔边缘，绑在一条滑索上，整个青年团在下面的地面上为我加油。我讨厌高处，一想到无缘无故地从一个完美的塔上跳下来，我还是会出一身冷汗。但我想向我的学生们展示，我可以战胜恐惧，滑到底部。我身后的工作人员是我的好朋友，离得很近， 他可以听到我的声音。我低声对他说，我很害怕，他得把我从边缘推下去。他小声说没事的，然后他就推了。

那天，勇敢只让我走到这一步。它让我爬上了塔楼，绑上了安全带，并到达了平台的边缘。但随后，恐惧淹没了我，我需要一个熟悉的声音——和一臂之力——来走完剩下的路。

彼得、雅各和约翰跟随耶稣走了很长一段路。他们的勇敢把他们带到了山顶，看着耶稣变像，以及祂与摩西和以利亚交谈。然而，当神的声音从天上响起时，惧怕淹没了他们。但这时耶稣走了过来，说：“不要害怕”。祂熟悉的声音把他们从惧怕中领出来。

当你害怕的时候，花点时间听听耶稣的声音，祂正叫你走出惧怕。你可能对这个声音的形式感到惊讶，但它一定存在。

祷告

主耶稣，当我们害怕时，请帮助我们倾听你呼唤我们的声音。阿们。

马太福音 17:1-8

1过了六天，耶稣带着彼得、雅各和雅各的兄弟约翰暗暗地上了高山，
2就在他们面前变了形象，脸面明亮如日头，衣裳洁白如光。
3忽然，有摩西、以利亚向他们显现，同耶稣说话。
4彼得对耶稣说：“主啊，我们在这里真好！你若愿意，我就在这里搭三座棚：一座为你，一座为摩西，一座为以利亚。”
5说话之间，忽然有一朵光明的云彩遮盖他们，且有声音从云彩里出来说：“这是我的爱子，我所喜悦的，你们要听他！”
6门徒听见，就俯伏在地，极其害怕。
7耶稣进前来，摸他们说：“起来，不要害怕！”
8他们举目不见一人，只见耶稣在那里。

A Familiar Voice

"'Get up,' he said. 'Don’t be afraid.' When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus." - Matthew 17:7-8

Some years ago when I was a young youth pastor, I sat on the edge of a tall, wooden tower, strapped to a zipline cable, with the whole youth group on the ground below cheering me on. I hate heights, and the thought of jumping from a perfectly good tower for no reason still makes me break into a cold sweat. But I wanted to show my students that I could conquer my fear and zipline to the bottom. The staff member behind me was a good friend and was close enough to hear me. I whispered to him that I was afraid and he was going to have to push me off the edge. He whispered back that everything would be fine, and then he pushed.

Boldness got me only so far that day. It got me up the tower, strapped in, and to the edge of the platform. But then my fear overtook me, and I needed a familiar voice—and a push—to go the rest of the way.

Peter, James, and John followed Jesus a long way. Their boldness took them to the top of a mountain and watched as Jesus was transfigured and he talked with Moses and Elijah. When God’s voice sounded from the heavens, though, fear overtook them. But then Jesus came over and said, “Don’t be afraid.” His familiar voice called them out of fear.

When you are afraid, take a moment to listen for Jesus’ voice calling you out of your fear. You might be surprised at the form that voice takes, but it will always be there.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, when we are afraid, help us to listen for your voice calling to us. Amen.