How does listening to Jesus fulfill the command in Deuteronomy 18:15? The Original Command Deuteronomy 18:15: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.” Moses points Israel forward to one divinely appointed spokesman. The command is simple: “You must listen.” Jesus as the Promised Prophet - Acts 3:22-23—Peter applies Deuteronomy 18 directly to Jesus. - John 5:46—“If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me.” - Matthew 17:5—At the Transfiguration the Father says, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” - John 6:14; 7:40—Crowds recognize Jesus as “the Prophet who is to come.” Jesus is not merely another prophet; He is the climactic fulfillment Moses foresaw. Listening Defined To “listen” (Hebrew shamaʿ) means more than hearing words. It involves: - Receiving the message as truth. - Submitting mind, heart, and will. - Acting in obedient faith (James 1:22). Why Listening to Jesus Completes the Command - Only Jesus fully reveals the Father (John 1:18; Hebrews 1:1-2). - He speaks with unique authority: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35). - Rejecting His voice equals rejecting Moses’ command (Acts 3:23). - His words give eternal life (John 6:68). - Every other prophetic word in Scripture ultimately points to, and is validated by, Him (Revelation 19:10). Practical Ways to Listen Today - Read the Gospels regularly, noting Jesus’ commands, promises, and warnings. - Compare every doctrine, decision, and desire with His teaching (Colossians 3:16). - Respond immediately in obedience; delayed obedience is disobedience (Luke 6:46-49). - Rely on the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent to “guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). - Gather with believers who honor Christ’s words, allowing iron to sharpen iron (Hebrews 10:24-25). Listening to Jesus, therefore, is the direct and ongoing fulfillment of Moses’ ancient directive—honoring both the Law and the One who perfectly completes it. |
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