The Voice of God
Jesus prayed, Father, glorify Thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to Him. John 12:28
On three occasions a voice came from heaven and on each occasion, what was stated endorsed the Person and the work of Christ by God the Father. At His baptism, God said, This is My beloved Son, in Whom I Am well pleased (Matthew 3:17). At Christ’s transfiguration, God’s voice was heard again. This is My beloved Son, in Whom I Am well pleased; hear ye Him (Matthew 17:5). When the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid (Matthew 17:6). It occurred one more time near the end of Christ’s ministry. Jesus prayed, Father, glorify Thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that IT THUNDERED: others said, An angel spake to Him (John 12:28-29).
The Pharisees were worried concerning the popularity of Jesus. They said, Behold, the world is gone after Him (John 12:19). Their words were prophetic in as much as all who desired God’s provision of salvation would indeed come to Christ, recognizing Him as both Lord and Savior.
Just after that, Jesus voiced the struggle of His soul as He considered what He was about to do on Calvary’s cross on our behalf. He could have called to be rescued. From Calvary’s Cross, “He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels!” It reminds us of Gethsemane where He prayed, “Thy will be done” (Matthew 26:42).
In John 12, Jesus prayed, “Father, glorify Thy name.” Immediately, verse 28 states, Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. Verse 29 reveals that the people standing near hear God’s voice, but like many people today who refuse to recognize the voice or work of God, declared it to be something else. They said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to Him.
John 5:37-39 provides some help here. Jesus said, And ye have not His Word abiding in you: for whom He hath sent, Him ye believe not. Those who choose not to believe God’s Word will never hear His voice. Of these, Jesus said, And the Father Himself, which hath sent Me, hath borne witness of Me. Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His shape (John 5:37). Those who never seek God in His Word nor believe in Christ Whom God sent will never hear the voice of God. The witness of the Father and of the Son are identical. To disbelieve Jesus is the same as disbelieving the Father. A most important truth appears right here – FAITH IS THE PREREQUISITE FOR KNOWING THE TRUTH.
- But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
- For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect (Romans 3:3). Definitely not, Paul’s answer in verse 4 indicates that whenever there is a question between what man believes and what God has said, God is always right.
Have you heard the voice of God? By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:2).
Just before God gave the Law at Mount Sinai, the people heard thunder and saw lightning and a thick cloud on the mount. Then they heard the voice of the trumpet and all the people in the camp were troubled (Exodus 19:16). They trembled because they recognized that God was on the mountain.
We recently celebrated the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Yes, he lived for us a sinless life and died for our sins, but it is important to recognize that He also came to reveal God the Father to us and to speak for Him. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds (Hebrews 1:2). John 1:18 reveals that Jesus has declared Him.
The people in Christ’s day not only saw Christ Jesus and heard Him speak, but they also saw God the Father in Christ. Jesus revealed God the Father in His words and in His works. Jesus said to Philip, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father (John 14:9).
There were those who only heard thunder. They did not believe. If you have truly trusted Christ as your own personal Lord and Savior, you may have heard these words. Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for i am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).
The words I long to hear one day – Well done, good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:23). Are these the words you desire to hear when you finally stand before Him?
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand (Psalm 95:6, 7a).
George Stiekes held successful pastorates in churches in Michigan and Washington among other places. He currently resides in North Carolina and blogs at Reverent Reflections. We recommend his ministry and republish his material by permission.