Week of Transfiguration
And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid. Mark 9:4
On the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus was joined by two heroes of the Old Testament: Moses and Elijah. Moses was appointed by God for many things—any one of which would have secured his place as a hero of the Old Testament. He wrote the first five books of the Bible by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He delivered the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. He met with God on Mount Sinai and received the Law. He performed miracle after miracle, from the courts of Pharaoh to the barren wilderness.
Elijah was a great prophet. He opposed the wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. He fought, outnumbered, against the prophets of Baal. He performed many miracles—from raining fire on an altar to raising a child from the dead. He spoke with God on Mount Sinai and was ultimately carried to heaven in a whirlwind of fire.
Yet here on the Mount of Transfiguration, these two heroes of the Old Testament were acknowledging the real Hero of the Old Testament—Jesus, the Messiah. Moses may have written the Law, but Jesus dictated it. Elijah may have prayed for fire, but Jesus sent it. After meeting with God on Mount Sinai, Moses’ face shone from having seen God’s glory. Jesus radiates with His own glory.
As great as these heroes are, Jesus is better. In fact, Jesus is the Hero of these heroes. The hopes of every Old Testament hero—Moses, Elijah, David, Abraham—were placed on Jesus. It was His work on the cross that bought their salvation and rescued them from destruction, and it is this same heroic work that rescues us still today.
This is God's beloved Son!
Law and prophets sing before him
First and last and only One
All creation shall adore him! Alleluia!
Worship Supplement 719:4