This picture reminds me of something that I saw many years ago; The RCA statue in Menands, N.Y. which I remember as being entitled: The Sound of His Master’s Voice. I don’t know if it is still there, but I hope so, as it was quite memorable.
All this makes me wonder what Jesus’ voice was really like. Whether he had the voice of a tenor or a baritone and what sort of accent he had. I know, these things really don’t matter all that much, but what is more important than this is the question: Do I listen to what Jesus actually said and obey it.
As I think about this I remember this episode from the book of Matthew...
Matthew 17 ( World English Bible )
1 After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves.
2 He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.
3 Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him.
4 Peter answered, and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
6 When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.
God told Jesus’ disciples to listen and they were afraid. I think I would be as well, for...
Hebrews 1 ( World English Bible )
1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.
3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
In other words, Jesus ( who is also the creator of everything and has the exalted position at the right hand of God ) has the final word and that’s that. Consider also another passage from the book of Hebrews...
18 For you have not come to a mountain that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and to blackness, darkness, storm,
19 the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which those who heard it begged that not one more word should be spoken to them,
20 for they could not stand that which was commanded, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned;”
21 and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.”
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable multitudes of angels,
23 to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel.
25 See that you don’t refuse him who speaks. For if they didn’t escape when they refused him who warned on the earth, how much more will we not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven,
note: see also Exodus 19:9-23; Deuteronomy 18”18f.
Some day all of us we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and I sincerely hope that when you actually hear his voice, that you will hear something like- Well done, good and faithful servant!
One thing other thing is for sure- you will be listening, perhaps even more intently than the dog in the picture!