The best of men are only men at their very best. By J. C. Ryle. Matthew chapter 17, verse 5. While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, This is my son, whom I love. With him I am well pleased. Listen to him.

Let us see in these words a striking lesson to the whole Church of Christ. There is a constant tendency in human nature to hear man. Bishops, priests, popes, cardinals, councils, preachers, and ministers are continually exalted to a place which God never intended them to fill and made practically to usurp the honor of Jesus. Against this tendency let us all watch and be on our guard. Let these solemn words of the vision ever ring in our ears. Listen to Jesus.

The best of men are only men at their very best. Patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, church fathers, reformers, Puritans, all are sinners who need a savior. They may be holy, useful, honorable in their place, but they are sinners after all. They must never be allowed to stand between us and Jesus. He alone is the Son in whom the Father is well pleased. He alone is sealed and appointed to give the bread of life. He alone holds the keys of death and the grave in His hands.

Let us take heed that we hear His voice and follow Him. Let us value all religious teaching just in proportion as it leads us to Jesus. The sum and substance of saving religion is to listen to Christ.