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We are staying with the remarkable events
of the transfiguration this week to consider the significance of the
meeting that took place there. When Jesus stood transfigured before
the three disciples he was joined by two other people, Elijah and Moses.
Luke tells us that "they spoke of [Jesus'] departure,
which he was about to bring to fulfilment at Jerusalem" (Luke 9:31).
The word 'departure' here translates the Greek exodos and this
is significant.
Moses was the great lawgiver and representative of the old covenant and deliverer of Israel from bondage in Egypt. Elijah represented the prophets and was the great restorer of all things (Malachi 4:5-6; Mark 9:11-13). Moses' work of saving Israel had been finished by Joshua. Elijah's work of restoring Israel was finished by Elisha, which is another form of Joshua and here they were meeting with Jesus, whose Hebrew name was Joshua, about his impending 'exodus' at Jerusalem.
Finally, out of heaven a voice declared, "This
is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"
This is the simple account of Scripture. What is its significance?
First there is the affirming witness of the sacrificial character of Jesus' mission which was no less than to suffer and die for sin and conquer death. Imagine for a moment how they stood and simply discussed his impending suffering. In a way it could be said that his suffering was not limited to his final agonies on the Cross. His was a life of suffering, as a sinless one in a world of sin, persecuted by those he came to save, tempted by the devil and living, as here, in vivid anticipation of what he would finally go through for the salvation of many.
Secondly there is the affirmation of authority on this one who died
for us. The Law, in Moses, the Prophets, in Elijah, and the Father from
Heaven affirming and endorsing Jesus in what he was about. The one who
led the Exodus of Israel and the one who represents restoration recognising
the final and decisive Exodus and restoration of all who trust in Christ
- Exodus from this life of sin and restoration of our relationship with
the Father. As one commentator has put it, "There
might be opposition, but there could be no permanent defeat of one whose
work was ratified by Moses, by Elijah, by God Himself."
Thirdly there is the pledge of immortality. The presence of Moses and Elijah is clear evidence of the triumph of life over death and it is in the one whom they stood to endorse that such life can be found. The abiding lesson of the Transfiguration is that of the reality of the unseen world, of its nearness to us and it is into this reality that Jesus' impending death is meant to bring us. No wonder Paul was able to write:
If God is for us, who can be against us? He
who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will
he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will
bring a charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who
was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding
for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble
or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword…No
in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved
us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor
depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from
the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:31-39).
In light of this why shouldn't we have a good week?
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