The Summit

The Transfiguration story has always fascinated me. This Summit had seven participants, one breakout session, a frantic organizer and one keynoter who spoke for less than 10 seconds and said more than those who preach for hours. Moses and Elijah join Jesus in glory. What a sight it must have been for these sleepy eyes to see Moses and Elijah carrying on a conversation with Jesus about departures. The departures of these two OT giants was most notable. Moses took off from Mt. Nebo and was interned by God Himself, with no gravestone. There was even some fight between Michael and Satan over his body. This windswept mountain with a view of Israel across the Jordan is visited regularly by tourist and pilgrims to this day. And, the take off point for Elijah was east of the Jordan across from Jericho near where John the Baptist baptized. I have been to both places and know the spiritual devotion evoked knowing you are standing on the place of such departures. Both Moses and Elijah left behind two successors, Joshua and Elisha, just as Jesus was leaving behind Peter, James, and John. Jesus, Moses, and Elijah knew what it was like to train disciples to carrying on the work. I can't help but wonder if they were talking about this.

But Peter perhaps gives us the greatest insight into the "why" of this Transfiguration Summit. Take a moment to read 2 Peter 1:16-21. Peter relates this Summit in the context of explaining the sureness of the revelation from God concerning His Son. Peter and the rest did not make it up. They were not that clever. They spoke about the "power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." It is not a coincidence that this is what Jesus was talking with His apostles about right before the Transfiguration Summit (See Matt.16:27-28; Mk.8:38-9:1; Lk.9:26-27). Moses could speak to his prophecy of a prophet like himself that would arise from among the people (Deut.18) and Elijah could speak to his being the prototype of the forerunner of Jesus (Malachi 4:5-6). But the keynoter was God Himself who spoke with authority and said, "This is My Beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to Him." Peter says he heard this utterance while with Him on the holy mountain. Jesus is hosting this Summit to give opportunity for the prophetic word about Him and His ministry to be made absolutely sure. Just as God confirmed Jesus at His baptism with similar words, so now near the end of His ministry He is confirming again in the presence of two of His OT prophets the certainty of Jesus as Lord. This is the "lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your heart." (2 Peter 1:19)

There is continuity of the plan of God throughout the history of God's people. The glorified Jesus, Moses and Elijah shared the stage for a short time, connecting 1500 BC, 900 BC with 33 AD. With Peter, James and John there we are insured that this same plan goes forth into the future. Unbeknownst to them their names will become as familiar as Moses and Elijah's names. These apostles will become just as important in the continuation of the plan as Moses and Elijah were in their days. And, the link, the connector is Jesus Himself. What a Summit! I wish I had been invited. Oh, BTW, the frustrated organizer was Peter who wanted to set up some tents to keep this Summit going. He found out he was not in charge. We like him need to be content to pass on what we hear and see without having to be in charge of anything.