Learning to Be Sensitive

Peter, James, and John had witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus. After this sacred moment, He told them not to tell anyone what had happened “until the Son of Man has risen from the dead” (v. 9).

In that moment on the mountain, these disciples had seen Jesus with Elijah. Perhaps inspired by this sight, they asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus described how “Elijah already came,” but people didn’t recognize him. Pondering His words, the disciples sensed that He was speaking about John the Baptist (vs. 10-13).

This occasion was part of a series of events that Jesus used to teach about being sensitive to the Spirit. After He had fed the 5,000, the disciples misunderstood His statement about leaven. Focused on the natural, they thought He simply was talking about bread.

Astonished by their lack of spiritual understanding, Jesus called them “men of little faith.” He was amazed that they did “not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up” (Matthew 16:5-9).

Later, Jesus asked them, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They told Him what others had said. Then Jesus asked directly, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 16:13-17).

Peter demonstrated that he was gaining spiritual sensitivity, just as the response of Peter, James, and John after the transfiguration demonstrated that they were learning to listen with spiritual ears. But they still had much to learn!

Today, remember the importance of being sensitive to the Spirit. Ask God to help you hear what He’s saying to you. Seek to walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh.