Another curious thing about the Transfiguaration is the appearance of Moses and Elijah with Jesus here on the mountain. Why did they appear here with Jesus?
When we look closely at the Old Testament accounts of both Moses and Elijah, we find that both had direct meetings with God, but neither were allowed to actually “see” God’s face. Something they obviously desparately wanted to do.
First let’s look at Exodus 33:
“Moses said to the LORD, "You have been telling me, 'Lead these people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, 'I know you by name and you have found favor with me.' 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people." 14 The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 15 Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" 17 And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name." 18 Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." 19 And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." 21 Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen." Exodus 33:12 – 23 NIV
God would often talk to Moses face to face, but Moses was never allowed to see God face to face.
Let’s look at Elijah in I Kings
9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 10 He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." 11 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:9-13 NIV
Neither of these men who so desperately sought after God were allowed to see God face to face. Yet, here at the tranfiguaration, we see Moses and Elijah standing and talking with Jesus, talking with him face to face.
I believe that Jesus was teaching His disciples that a new age was being ushered in and that with Him, a close intimate personal relationship would now be possible. Moses and Elijah longed to know God and here they are talking to Him face to face. If the disciples are really hungry to know God (remember we think that these were the hungriest disciples), long no further than Jesus Himself. This was all part of the redemption plan.
How much do you desire to know God? Do you long to grow deeper in your faith? Do you want God to "show you His glory"?
Dear Jesus, by invading Your world, we know you made it possible for us to know You on a close personal level. Give me the desire that Moses and Elijah had to truly know you, to see Your face. In Jesus' Name, amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment