Deuteronomy 18:1-19:14; Luke 9:28-36; Psalms 73:21-28; Proverbs 18:8
NT: “About eight days after this conversation, he took along Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly, two men were talking with him — Moses and Elijah. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and those with him were in a deep sleep, and when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men who were standing with him. As the two men were departing from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it’s good for us to be here. Let’s set up three shelters: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” — not knowing what he was saying. While he was saying this, a cloud appeared and overshadowed them. They became afraid as they entered the cloud. Then a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, the Chosen One; listen to him!”” (Luke 9:28-35 CSB)
Isn’t it a little comical that Peter, James, and John (pre-Pentecost) had trouble staying awake while Jesus prayed. They couldn’t stay awake during Jesus’ prayer time on the mount of transfiguration, and the couldn’t stay awake as Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane. They had some pretty powerful prayer times post-Pentecost, though. Oh the difference the baptism and filling with the Holy Spirit makes! That aside, what a powerful encounter. Moses (the representative for the law), Elijah (the representative for the prophets), and Jesus (the fulfillment of the law and the prophets) were having a conference on top of a mountain. The topic of discussion: Jesus’ departure (exodus in the Greek). Moses led the first Exodus out of slavery in Egypt that was preceded by the slaughter of the Passover Lamb. Not long after this meeting on the mountain, Jesus would be slaughtered on Passover and would provide for mankind’s exodus from enslavement to sin. This moment on the mountain would become an important milestone in Jesus’ ministry. Soon afterward, He would fix His eyes on Jerusalem and would not stop until all was accomplished. Peter, James, and John eventually woke up and witnessed what was going on… and to perhaps save face for falling asleep, Peter awkwardly suggested setting up memorials for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. Then suddenly, God the Father interrupted Peter’s plans and thundered from heaven, “This is My Beloved and Chosen Son; listen to Him.” Jesus knew what must be done. While Peter, James, and John were a bit perplexed and confused, Jesus was perfectly clear. Peter didn’t need to stumble and fumble with what to do next – he just needed to listen to Jesus and follow His words. When we don’t know what to say or what to do or how to react, isn’t it comforting to know that Jesus does? We just need to listen to Him. In these uncertain times, oh how we need to listen to Jesus. He, through His Holy Spirit, will give us perfect clarity on what we should say, what we should do, and how we should or shouldn’t react. Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.
Psalms: “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me up in glory. Who do I have in heaven but you? And I desire nothing on earth but you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever. Those far from you will certainly perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, so I can tell about all you do.” (Psalms 73:24-28 CSB)
At the beginning of this psalm, Asaph spoke about how he was dismayed with the state of the world: how evil people seemed to succeed while righteous people struggled. When Asaph was confused, he didn’t stumble around trying to figure out what to make of everything. He went to the sanctuary and asked the Lord. Asaph continues by saying, “You guide me with your counsel…” The Apostle James wrote that if we need wisdom, we just need to ask, and God will give us the wisdom we need. We just need to ask and listen. And in our listening and submitting to His words, He will supply what we need and transform us (our thoughts, attitudes, actions, understanding, etc.) from glory to glory to glory. Oh! Who is like the Lord? Our understanding will most definitely fail us – but God is the strength of our hearts and will provide what we need to know when we need to know it… forever, as long as we come to Him and listen.
Jamie Hicks 