Right after Peter gets that Jesus is Messiah who is come (16:13-20), and Jesus confounds what that means in their minds by saying that He must suffer and die (16:21-23), and Jesus must then define discipleship as going with Him to the Cross in self-denial instead of gaining in status or wealth as worldly empire values would dictate, we have this glimpse of Jesus' Glory, or rather, His mission.
I used to think of this as Jesus' penultimate hurrah, the last one being at His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. I have come to understand both differently.
This is Jesus being introduced for who He is to His disciples, just before going to Jerusalem to fulfill His mission. Jesus, son of God, as we learn at His baptism (3:13-17), is now introduced as Messiah, but also fulfiller of the Law and Prophets, even with similar words - "This is my son, the Beloved; with Him I am well pleased; listen to HIM!" (17:5)
Of course they would listen to Him. They were listening to Him. They were his student followers. That is what they did. Now, the vision of Him in His transfigured glory might have astounded them enough to make them want to listen to Him more, to be sure, but I think it was something more significant than supernatural glory - yes, I said that - that should make them take notice of Jesus by God's command.
It was Moses and Elijah who appeared with Jesus. Moses, the Law and Elijah, the Prophets were the heroes of people of God. Jesus is the fulfiller of the Law and Prophets. Don't listen to them anymore, at least not with as much obedience as you listen to Jesus. He fulfills the Law and Prophets of God. He IS the fulfillment of them. His Words are God's Words. His Will is God's Will. You have given great weight to the Law of Moses and the words of the Prophets in the past. Now, listen to HIM. Jesus is the Law and Prophets for you.
Moses was the one who stood before Pharaoh and spoke God's will of Liberation for God's people to the oppressive power. Elijah was the one who risked His life to tell people what God's will meant for them, in direct opposition to the corrupt powers in Israel. This, Son of God, Messiah will stand before the oppressive occupying power and claim God's Kingdom supreme. He will stand up to Herod and the corruption of his collusion with Rome, and declare God's Kingdom supreme. This is the Kingdom in the face of the Empire. Jesus will Liberate hearts and minds from the bondage of oppressors, even as He liberates our souls from death and hell. Jesus will Agitate the corrupt powers that be and speak the truth to corrupt power, thus bringing Kingdom values to bear in the face of worldly empire values, and He would empower His followers to do the same as people who live in THIS PART of God's Kingdom.
And even though they needed one more clarification from Jesus, at least, to be certain that He was Messiah (17:9-13), His disciples were mostly clear on what His appearance with Moses and Elijah meant. He is Son of God, Messiah, soon to be Redeemer and Savior. He was God's authority for them and is for us.
As with most of the Good News of Jesus which, incidentally, we are commanded to believe in (Mark 1:15) as Jesus' fulfillment of the Law and Prophets, it is not about the supernatural sights, sounds and activities, but about how people are moved to live with one another that matters. Just as the importance of Moses was not the plagues themselves, but the outcome of liberation for God's people, and just as it was not in the tempest or earthquake that Elijah heard God but in the still, small voice that he found direction, so we are not to get lost in our focus on the supernatural signs and wonders themselves, as if they are what following Jesus is about. We are to see how, beyond God getting our attention through signs and wonders, God directs us to live in THIS PART of God's Kingdom with one another, here and now.
Many seem to claim the name of Jesus and focus on believing in Him as Savior for their salvation, as if their personal salvation is the thing. The signs and wonders to them are a "proof" of God's power and immanence. The Gospels use signs and wonders to make it all about listening to what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us on how to live with one another toward justice, equality, equitable treatment and peace (well-being, completeness and wholeness) in Agape Love (unconditional, self-sacrificing active commitment on behalf of the other - especially "the least" - most vulnerable, and even stranger and enemy). Yes, Jesus was transfigured and it was quite a show, with Moses and Elijah standing with Him. They heard the voice of God and it was amazing. But what did God SAY? God directed them to recognize Jesus as God's ultimate authority as the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets, and then to follow Him - what He taught, commanded and modeled for them. It was all toward the coming down off the Mountain and going into the plain where the people were, and the work of Liberation and Agitation that this occurred, and about bringing Jesus' followers on board with the mission of eliminating oppression and corruption in the world, even to the sacrificing of their lives by execution to do so. It was all about following Jesus to the Cross.
This was a pivotal moment for Jesus' disciples in the Gospel. It was a pivotal moment for all those in 67 A.D. who would have this Good News read to them as they faced the same oppression and corruption. It can be a pivotal moment for us, going into the season of Lent with increased prayer and fasting, self-sacrifice and service, if we choose to make it that. If you want to be a follower of Jesus, then follow what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled in the Good News, particularly in how it teaches us to live with one another in THIS PART of God's Kingdom. In this time of corruption and oppressive power, be an Agitator who speaks truth to power and a Liberator who empowers others to leave their bondage to it behind. In other words, follow Jesus. Speak and live Kingdom values in the face of worldly empire values. In other words, follow Jesus. You can and must do that as a follower of Jesus. THAT is the Good News of Jesus, and that is what it means to follow Him.
Pastor Jamie
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