Key Verse: Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a
voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to
Him!"
Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:34
Jesus is not an equal to Moses and Elijah. Jesus is not a
prophet. Jesus is the Son Of God and there is no human equal to Him! What the Father
God pronounced over Jesus at His baptism is now reaffirmed here for the benefit
of Peter, James & John.
Why were Peter, James and John given such a privilege as this?
Surely, God had His reasons. They would certainly need this extra boost of
confidence for the tasks set before them after Pentecost.
Why Moses and Elijah? Moses and Elijah were the most revered
prophets in the history of Israel. Moses had met with God face to face and
received God's law, the Ten Commandments, from His hand. When he died, he died
alone and his body was never found. Elijah represented the hope in God. He had
walked with God and was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire, not in death. They also stand as the two best
representatives of the Law and the Prophets.
When Peter wanted to make booths, or shelters, for all
three, he was treating them like equals. Jesus, however, is not an equal to the
great prophets. Jesus is God and the Son of God. So, the cloud came down, as
the dove came down at Jesus' baptism and said, "This is my Son, Listen to
Him!" He is not from the past. He is not based on tradition. Behold, the
new has come. It is Jesus, "Listen to Him."
Just for a moment, Peter, James and John, were able to see
Jesus as we will see Him in heaven. He was in His glory. Moses had wanted to
see that Glory when he received the law, but Moses could only reflect His glory
after God had passed by. All that glory was placed in a baby in Bethlehem. He
grew up and walked among them and now, just for a moment, Jesus let that glory
shine through for Peter and James and John to remember in the days to come.
Peter obeyed His Lord and said nothing to his fellow
disciples when they met again. However, we learn of this in Peter's retelling
through Mark and by his own testimony in his own epistle as a proof to his
readers to take him seriously as a witness to the Christ. 2 Peter 1:16b – 18 says,
“We were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He
received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from
the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well
pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice
that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.”
We may not have a Mount of Transfiguration story to
remember, but there are blessings that we have had from God, that we need to
hold on to, to encourage us through the challenges of this day. You may be
going through a difficulty, but God is the same God who blessed you once and
will bless you again. Use what you remember of Him to help you walk through
today.
Many years ago, Kathy began a journal of blessings
to help us in our recollection of God's goodness to me and my family. When we are struggling, we find it comforting to go back through those pages and remember
what God has done for us. You may find this exercise helpful as well. Enjoy
remembering His goodness to you today.
Hymn: "To God Be the Glory"
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