And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
Jesus led Peter, James, and John up and invited them to participate in this transformative moment, so that they might witness the glory of God’s presence. Moses and Elijah suddenly appeared on the mountain, but why these two. While I am not certain of any solid consensus on this matter, it does seem helpful to observe that Moses points us to the law and Elijah points us to the Eschaton (Last days). We seem to have a covenantal bookend, the beginning and conclusion of the covenant promise of God. Jesus is the Climax of God’s covenant and causes the law to be fulfilled in the eschaton.
The presence of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah on the mountain in this moment seems obvious. If we recall, both men participated in breath taking moments on or near mountains in their earthly lives. Moses led the people to Mt. Sinai and interceded on their behalf. Elijah defeated the prophets of baal on Mt. Carmel and also prayed concerning the people of Israel at Sinai — though his prayer was a little less favorable for Israel. Both men were given a mission. They were to be the presence of God to the people of God, leading them or calling them back into the presence of God. Jesus is God incarnated. We understand why Jesus, Moses, and Elijah are there, but why are the disciples invited? What role do they have, what is there purpose?
Perhaps the mission of Moses and Elijah gives us a hint. From the beginning God has desired that humanity participate in his creative and redemptive work. Man’s place is with God, transformed on this mount. Yet, we find that they are not yet ready. God reminds them that they have much to learn, charging them to “Listen to Him”. But one day — at Pentecost — by the grace of God, they will receive the gift of his transforming presence. This gift is not merely for the sake of feeling good and being a better person. It is ultimately concerned with fulfilling God’s covenant plan for the world. It is concerned with the transformation of all reality. Is it perhaps that Peter, James, and John are receiving a foretaste of a heavenly reality on earth.
When we have been in the presence of the Holy One, our faces too, should shine like the sun/Son. Perhaps the most important element here is that we have been invited to share in this moment. We are called to participate in God’s holiness, and we have been called for a very specific reason, to be his transforming presence in culture, and transform culture. When did Christianity become a social club. When did we forget that evangelism is not just for the “evangelist”. Who told us that missions work is just for the “missionary.” Where did we get the idea that leading Bible studies and sharing bearing the burden of church ministry and function was only the job of the “pastor.” How did we come to segregate these roles so firmly, that there seems to be little movement across the lines. However we define what a Christian is, it seems clear that if a person is not actively being transformed and engaged in transforming culture, he/she is well short of the mark. The minimum qualification for Christian life is a pure heart and life, passionately proliferating more pure hearts and lives.
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