The Real Star

Peter didn't know what he was doing. He and his companions were terrified. They awoke from a dead sleep to see Jesus talking to Moses and Elijah. How did the disciples know it was Moses and Elijah? Some speculate the recognition had something to do with dress, mannerisms, appearance, or the like. This does not seem likely to me. Surely these sleepy-eyed, unlearned fishermen were not up on their prophet-profiling. It is more likely that Jesus said, "Guys, come here I want to introduce you to a couple of my friends." Remember recognition might have been made harder since this holy Trio was aglow with glory. So when you meet Moses and Elijah do you shake their hands? At what point do you close your mouth? Well obviously Peter has a little trouble with this. Not only that but there was some indication that Jesus' friends were getting ready to leave Mt. Hermon and travel back home. Did Elijah bring his "wheels" (his chariot of fire)? Peter had to think quickly to try to keep this Summit going, especially since he had slept through most of it already. Maybe it was getting uncomfortable on this mountain, and Peter thought he might erect a temporary three room hotel for the Trio. This would surely keep them around. Besides, wouldn't you have a couple of questions to ask Moses and Elijah. Was Peter and the others getting just a little too much star-struck by the presence of these OT greats? Was Peter wanting their autograph? Was Peter wanting to tell all his friends who he got to talk to on the mountain?  Was Peter beginning to get a little too in awe of some lesser lights, while the very Son of God was there? Matthew, Mark and John all record three different designations by which Peter addressed Jesus, i.e. Lord, Rabbi, and Master, not Son of God.

Moses and Elijah represent the Old Covenant, those of the past who testified to the coming of the Son of God, and those who longed to see what the apostles were experiencing daily. Perhaps Moses and Elijah were the ones in awe of Peter, James and John wishing they could switch places and stay with Jesus a little longer. But, they were not there to be honored by men. They were not there to be preserved and housed. The system they represented was one of schoolmaster to bring the Jews to Jesus. Here stood the Promise and the schoolmasters on one spot. Peter was tempted to glorify the schoolmasters instead of the Promise (Read Galatians). Isn't this the way of man? We want to hold on to the past, the traditions, the ancients, those God used to help us find Jesus, and miss the Jesus they pointed us to. Men honor other men, the Campbells, Stones, Luthers, Calvins, Grahams, and build tents to house them (churches with their names on them, schools dedicated to them, books written about them). We long to sit at the feet of these men and ask them questions about their experiences, when the Jesus to whom they were pointing is now among us.

While Peter was getting into his construction project to keep Moses and Elijah there, he was interrupted. It is almost like God Himself is saying, "Excuse Me Peter, let me remind you in whose presence you stand. Don't get so goggled-eyed at Moses and Elijah. You are in the presence of true, eternal, enduring greatness--My Son, Jesus." So the booming voice of God breaks into the scene and proclaims, "This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him."  Moses and Elijah disappear, and Jesus is left before them. God Himself jerks these men back to reality. There is none greater. The King of kings, the greatest prophet, the new covenant maker stands before you, and in Him who came and tabernacled for a while among you is grace and truth (John 1). God knows how to make His point. Perhaps three humbled apostles had a new appreciation of Jesus as they went down the mountain.