A Talking Cloud?

…a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.

Luke 9:33

New Testament references to clouds typically appear in settings involving Jesus. In fact, He even said to the crowd “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does…. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time? (Lk. 12:54, 56).

Peter, James and John traveled with Jesus to a mountain to pray. While there, Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Jesus about His death. When Peter, James and John woke from a deep sleep, they saw Jesus’ glory along with Moses and Elijah. Peter immediately suggested that they make three tabernacles: one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Then, while Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Lk. 9:34-35).

While gathered on the Mount of Olives, the disciples watched Jesus ascend into the air. Luke recorded …He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. While He was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven” (Acts 1:9-11). 

I smile when I think about the angel’s question for the disciples, “Why do you stand looking up into heaven?” I’m still searching for words, though, to describe my response to the voice from the cloud that said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” I clearly sense God’s Fatherly love for Jesus as well as a very clear directive to me—listen to Him!

Father, keep my heart attuned to You when Your Son speaks to me through Your Word. Reveal the deep truths of what He has to say to me. Then, create within me a willingness to receive and respond in faith. 

Linda Les