The Voice Of God

by G.L. Atkinson, Newcastle upon Tyne, England | Category: General | Dec 1990

The Gospels record three occasions when the voice of God was heard publicly from Heaven. The first of these was when the Lord Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.

Before the beginning of the public ministry of Christ, John had declared "He that cometh after me is mightier than I". He had quoted the words of the prophet, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight" and reiterated the divine announcement, "All flesh shall see the salvation of God" (Luke 3). John could also say "Behold, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).

Jesus had been living at Nazareth in Galilee in accordance with the testimony of the prophets. Despite John's protestations He insisted on being baptized, saying "Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness" (Mat. 3:15). The baptism took place at Jordan in the wilderness of Judea. It must have been witnessed by many, but evidently its significance was not perceived by all who were there. Who were there? Obviously John, and some of his disciples, but there would be others, for many had come out of Jerusalem for baptism.

Perhaps the witnesses included some of those Pharisees and Sadducees whom John addressed as a "generation of vipers". Perhaps too they included the publicans and soldiers mentioned by Luke, as well as the priests and Levites mentioned in John's Gospel. How did the various witnesses record their impressions?

Those in the crowd who heard the voice of God must have testified the words recorded by Matthew, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased". Jesus Himself, being baptized, and praying, saw the heavens open, the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him, and heard the voice from Heaven saying, "Thou art My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased". John also had a personal revelation, for he was told, "Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Spirit". John's evidence was, "I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God" (John 1:33,34). On two occasions he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God".

What was the purpose of the voice of God at the baptism of Jesus? Was it to mark the beginning of His public ministry? The occasion was a fulfilment of Isaiah's prophecy "I have put My Spirit upon Him" (Is. 4:1). It was also, according to Peter's epistle, an evidence of the honour and glory of God the Father. Was it necessary because, again in fulfilment of the prophecy, the Lord Himself had no beauty that men should desire Him? Certainly John the Baptist said "I knew Him not; but He that sent me said unto me upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining.... is He which baptizeth with the Holy Spirit".

The Lord Jesus described Himself as bearing the Father's witness, but He told those of the Jews who were rejecting Him that they had not heard His voice (John 5:37). Imagine that! The great God of Israel, whom the Jews were supposed to love and worship, spoke from Heaven, and many did not hear. God speaks today through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the Holy Spirit. It's the same today - many people simply cannot or will not hear Him. Are we listening?

The second occasion recorded in the gospels on which the voice of God

was heard by men was at the transfiguration. This time there were only three witnesses (Luke 9:28-36). The circumstances of the transfiguration emphasize that the Lord's glory is detached from the things of this world. It took place up in a high mountain "apart". The event was a manifestation of the shechinah glory - God dwelling in the bright cloud of light

Remarkable scenes were observed by the three witnesses, Peter, James and John. Physically the Lord's appearance was transformed; and He was accompanied by Moses and Elijah. This wonderful sight led the disciples to suggest building three tabernacles - one each for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. But these three are not equal before God, or in their work for men. God spoke from Heaven emphasizing the pre-eminence of His Son. A bright cloud overshadowed the small party and a voice out of the cloud said "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him" (Mat. 17:5). Moses and Elijah spoke with the Lord about His forthcoming decease, but Peter, James and John were "heavy in sleep".

The Lord did not explain the phenomenon in detail to His three disciples, but He warned them to tell no man about it until He was risen from the dead.

We live with a similar generation today, and the message is the voice of God again, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye Him". What is needed is to hear the Lord, and to have faith in Him, not to despair; not to rely on our own resources; and not to rely on the great ones in the earth. At the end of the transfiguration scene we are told that the three disciples "saw no man, save Jesus only". In our last extremity who else would we wish to see or hear? The message to us all is "Hear ye Him".

The Gospels' third instance of God's voice being heard publicly from heaven is recorded in John Chapter 12. Jesus had recently entered Jerusalem, being welcomed by the crowd who waved palm branches and cried "Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord" (John 12:13). The crowds flocked to Him having heard of how He had raised Lazarus from the dead. Among the crowd were some Greeks who asked - through Philip - to see the Lord.

This time, early in the week of His crucifixion, seems to have been a high point in popular esteem of the Lord. But His immediate reply to those who wanted to see Him must have seemed enigmatic: the seed of corn must fall into the earth and die in order to bear fruit; he who loves life will lose it; who hates this life will have eternal life; they who serve Him and follow Him will be where He is and will be honoured by the Father. Obviously over against the prospect of His coming crucifixion He prayed, "Father, glorify Thy name". Then came the voice from Heaven "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again

The voice from heaven was heard by the crowd. Some thought it was thunder: others that it was an angel. But evidently the evangelist John heard it: "the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things:

and we know that his testimony is true" (John 21:24). Jesus explained to the crowd that the voice came, not for Him, but for their sakes. He went on to speak of the judgement of this world, of His crucifixion, and again of the need for faith. Then He departed and hid Himself from the crowd.

We see then, that this third occasion of God speaking from heaven was in a setting where Jesus immediately 'before, and immediately after, was speaking of His great work of redemption. He was to be the seed corn, to die and rise again in life giving power. He would overcome the prince of this world. He invited all to believe in Him. Then, for a while, He withdrew.

God had indeed glorified His own Name in Christ. It was glorified in the entry into Jerusalem, by the shouts of the crowd. It has been glorified at Calvary by the Lord Jesus who bore the judgement for us. God had glorified His Name a little earlier, in the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead. He was to do so, in a few days, even more remarkably by the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. We are required only to believe, and to walk in the light of Him who is the Light of the world.

All quotations from Authorized Version.

G.L. Atkinson, Newcastle upon Tyne, England | Dec 1990
General