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| Mosaic of the Transfiguration, Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai |
Pastor Tom Johnson, February 27, 2022
Jesus’ appearance changes. His face and clothing become luminous. Moses and Elijah suddenly appear in the light of almighty God—the eternal Son of God who took on human flesh and now reveals his blinding majesty. The light of Jesus’ countenance once again shines on the face of Moses on the mountain. Jesus once again speaks with Elijah on the mountain.
Moses is the great giver of the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai. Moses met with God face to face at the tent of meeting and talked with God as one would talk to a friend. Elijah is the great prophet and miracle worker. He also met with God on Mt. Sinai when he was in exile. Jesus once again bathes Moses in dazzling light. He is the pillar cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night of old that led Moses and the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, through the wilderness, and safely to the Promised Land. The departure from captivity in Egypt toward freedom is called the Exodus—literally “the way out.”
Elijah had his own personal journey that parallels the Exodus. Elijah is in exile fleeing for his life. Ahab the King of Israel and his wife Jezebel kill God’s prophets and now threaten to kill Elijah. Elijah flees to Mt. Sinai for safety. And God shows up on the mountain. God was not in the furious wind that split the hills and shattered the rocks. He was not in the earthquake that followed. Nor was he in the subsequent fire. The Lord is in the soft whisper—the still, small voice speaking tenderly to encourage the prophet. God assures Elijah there are still true prophets that survived. You will remember that he just sent Elijah to Mt. Carmel to challenge the prophets of the false god Baal. A fire consumes the altar Elijah sets up which both demonstrates the power of Yahweh the true and living God and liberates the nation from the false religion holding them captive.
Hebrew Scripture speaks of Messiah to come who will be a greater prophet than Moses whose way will be prepared by Elijah. It is here on the mountain that Almighty God shows up again—not in wind, earthquake, fire, or still small voice but in the radiant glory of Jesus the Christ and the voice of God the Father. In their meeting, these three glorious prophets discuss Jesus’ departure. The word for departure here is the same Greek word: exodus. They are talking about Jesus’ exodus that is to come. Jesus has already told the disciples what this exodus will be. Jesus “will suffer many things and be rejected…be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
One of the most challenging things when climbing mountains are the false summits. You spend hours ascending. You see the mountain reaching a summit above and ahead of you. You get to the top and you realize that it is only a landing. You now may see the final summit but there is still another mountain to climb to get there. It can be a bit disheartening especially if there are two, three, or four of these false summits. But if you are with someone who knows the path, it can make the journey less of a mental and emotional strain. There are fewer surprises. You know what you are up against. Jesus is that guide who knows the mission ahead—his exodus.
That is why Peter, not knowing what he says, says, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Incidentally, how does Peter recognize Moses and Elijah? Were they wearing name tags? Over the years, I have often been asked if we will recognize one another in heaven or if we will be formless spirits. Here we have the answer. They are not only recognizable, Moses and Elijah are so truly themselves in glory, no one questions who they are. In the resurrection, we will be even more fearfully and wonderfully remade for the life of the world to come. I don’t blame Peter for wanting to make this moment last. “This is great! Let’s set up camp for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus!” But as the cloud and voice from heaven make clear, this is not the day. However, one day, God will make heaven on earth. Jesus the Alpha and Omega will make all things new. But not this day. Peter, James, and John have this mountaintop experience with Jesus. But it is a false summit. It is not the pinnacle of Jesus’ mission. It is not the climax of the unfolding exodus ahead. There is another mountain to climb. That mountain is Calvary.
After the mount of transfiguration, there will be a deep descent into suffering, pain, and loss. This is the valley of the shadow of death. Jesus must address the captivity of humanity to sin. Like Moses did with old pharaoh, Jesus must go down and tell old Satan to let his people go. Like Elijah did with the false prophets of Baal, Jesus must also challenge our idols, unmask our false religion, and reveal the only true and living God. This is the Exodus of Jesus. His departure is not his going away but leading all of us who are prisoners to our freedom. Jesus is the new and greater Moses and Elijah. And their conference together in their glorified bodies is a foretaste of the victorious Exodus to come. In Jesus’ radiance and in Moses and Elijah’s reflective glory, we have a peek into another mountain beyond the mount of transfiguration and beyond Mt. Calvary. In Jesus blinding light, we have a glimpse into the summit of the Kingdom of Heaven. On this mountain, God has prepared a feast of the marriage supper of the Lamb. On this mountain, Jesus prepares dwelling places not just for Moses and Elijah but for Peter, James, John, you, me, and all those he will take to himself to be where he is. And together we will shine more brightly than the midday sun.
With Moses and Elijah nigh
The incarnate Lord holds converse high;
And from the cloud the Holy One
Bears record to the only Son.
With shining face and bright array
Christ deigns to manifest today
What glory shall be theirs above
Who joy in God with perfect love.
(“O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair” LSB 413 vv. 2 & 3)
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