The Transfiguration ~
Forgive me. I said we would look at this on Monday, it is now Wednesday. I ended up staying with my sister-in-law for three days. It was a great visit, but I didn't have my computer with me. Anyway, let's get started.
This particular event has always been a mystery to me. Why did Jesus transfigure? Why did He speak with Elijah and Moses? What did they talk about? My curiosity always gets the best of me here. What this passage reiterates to me is that I don't know every thing, nor will I, nor do I need to understand everything. To understand everything is to lose faith, for faith is believing in the things unseen. It is a reliance on God. It keeps us humble. Why is that so important? Well, if I know everything, then I rely on myself - this broken human who is prone to sin. It is easy to lead myself down the wrong path. However, when I rely on God - well I'm staking my future on the One who is Perfect and Holy.
So, can we learn anything from this passage? Yes - it actually offers us an insight into prophecy and a confirmation that Jesus truly is the Son of God.
First, Jesus takes three disciples with Him to pray. These disciples are Peter, John, and James. They make up His inner circle. Luke tells us that the disciples were on the verge of sleep when something incredible happened. Hmmm . . . I have a feeling this happens again. This is why we are to stay alert. The disciples were focused on themselves and were caught unprepared for what happned. Does this mean never sleep? Of course not. We simply need to pay attention to what's going on around us.
Jesus is transfigured - He is illuminated from the inside, providing a glimpse of the future glory of Christ when He will return at the second coming. It also shows a glimpse of Jesus as the transcendent Son of God. Jesus wasn't just a man, just a good teacher, just a prophet - Jesus is God.
Jesus meets with Moses and Elijah. Moses represents the Law (Exodus 24:1,9). Elijah represents the Prophets (1 Kings 19:8). This is the Torah that the Jewish people lived by - the law and prophets. We know it as the Old Testament. The meeting shows the disciples that Jesus is greater than both Moses and Elijah. This also refers back to the incorrect guesses that Jesus is Elijah or John the Baptist. Luke tells us they spoke of Jesus' coming departure, which is His future death, resurrection, and ascension. Why? Refer to paragraph one.
At this point, Peter - the brash spokesman of the group - suggests building three tents for them. He is basically babbling out of fear. The disciples still aren't understanding what's going on. So, to get the point across, the voice of God proclaims that Jesus is the Son of God.
The passage ends with the disciples asking for clarification on a prophecy found in Malachi 3:1 which states, "Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts." And Malachi 4:4-6, "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction." Jesus tells them that Elijah has come. John the Baptist fulfilled these prophecies. He made a way for the Lord and preached repentance. However, the people treated him with disregard and he was killed. Jesus finishes this commentary by stating He will be treated in the same manner.
So, prophecy has been fulfilled. Jesus is the Son of God. He has been pronounced to be the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets. Do you believe?
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