Deuteronomy 18:15 - Listen to Him!

Moses was a great prophet. He was a man called by God to tell God’s Word to the people. God once met with Moses on a mountain—Mt. Sinai. Here God gave him his words in the form of 10 commandments which Moses was to share with the people (Exodus 20). The people were to listen to and obey everything Moses told them because he was God’s prophet or spokesman.

Moses also told them something else. He prophesied or foretold another person who would come—one who would defeat Satan (Genesis 3:15), but one who would also be a prophet like himself (Deuteronomy 18:15). Moses said the people should listen to everything this prophet would tell them.

Now let’s go to another mountain nearly 2,000 years after Moses. Jesus Christ is standing on this mountain with his disciples Peter, James, and John when right before their very eyes Jesus’ appearance is transformed so that his clothes shine like the sun, his eyes flash like lightning, and a bright cloud envelopes the group (Matthew 17:1-5). Then, while all this is happening, two of God’s ancient prophets appear out of nowhere. Elijah and Moses are there and a voice out of the sky, God the Father’s voice, says, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" (Matthew 17:5).

When Jesus walked this earth, he did the work of a prophet. He preached and taught people God’s Word. Whereas Moses primarily told the people the law, Jesus Christ came primarily to tell people the gospel. The law’s primary purpose is to show people their sins. The gospel’s primary purpose is to show people their Savior from their sins. The New Testament says, For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17).

God wants the message of the gospel to be preached to all people. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Jesus’ disciples fearlessly went out to do just that. They preached that Jesus is the promised Savior of the world through whom we can receive the forgiveness of sins. Peter and John, who had been with Jesus on that mountain when he was transfigured, told people to repent and turn to God so that their sins may be wiped out. They followed it up by quoting Deuteronomy 18:15 as evidence that what they were saying about Jesus was true: For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you' (Acts 3:22).

Jesus is the one. He is the prophet Moses said would come. You and I should also listen to Jesus because he not only tells us the way to be saved. He is the way. For he said, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). Listen to him and live!

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