“Now about eight days after these sayings He took with Him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as He was praying, the appearance of His face was altered, and His clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with Him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His departure, which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.” Luke 9:28-31
Devotional Thought For The Day
This coming Sunday is celebrated as “Transfiguration Sunday” in many of the churches of Christendom. It is traditionally the Sunday just prior to Ash Wednesday which is the beginning of Lent, a season of penitential reflection and deeper joy in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross which has brought us forgiveness, peace with God, and everlasting life – which is received by faith in Jesus. The juxtaposition of the glorious transfiguration of Jesus and the path that led to the cross – by human observation and reasoning the polar opposite of this revelation of Christ’s glory – is purposeful. We are to keep in mind Who it is that suffers the argument of unbelievers, their irrational unbelief, their persecution, and finally utterly unjust crucifixion. This was, however, the very topic of the conversation held by Jesus, Moses, and Elijah – they were speaking of His “departure” soon to occur at Jerusalem.
One might wonder just how important this event, the crucifixion of Jesus, actually is. Obviously, for unbelievers it is a very small and insignificant event. In fact, they would use the word “was” not “is.” Although Jesus remains the most significant and influential person ever to have lived on this earth, as utterly unlikely as this is, they treat Him as a mere historical footnote. Many, if He were to show Himself again on earth as He did 2,000 years ago, would either completely ignore Him or deem Him worthy of execution. Some might try to exalt Him as a great moral teacher, or as a hero fighting against social injustice, or as a kind of cosmic guru who might know where the spaceship is waiting. And some would want to make Him a political king or ruler, and would seek positions of power, influence, and exaltation in His government. But few would be enthralled at and compelled to speak of His “departure,” His wretched suffering and death on the cross, and His subsequent resurrection in glory.
What matters to you when it comes to your Christian faith and life? Consider Moses and Elijah, two men whose earthly demise was strange and mysterious, two men who wielded the power of God’s Word during their earthly lives, two men who were also rejected, despised, and persecuted during their time of ministering God’s Word. Even when appearing with Christ “in glory” they were compelled to speak of one great thing – the redemption which was to be accomplished, and which we are invited to receive and rejoice in, through the shedding of Christ’s blood in sacrifice for the sins of the world on the cross. This was not just a singular moment in human history, it is the defining moment for all of human history, for without it there is no hope for mankind and no purpose for our continued existence. Apart from what Christ has done for us on the cross there is only a short earthly life of thorns, thistles, sweat, toil, labor, trial, tribulation, aging, futility, and – death, eternal death.
No doubt Moses and Elijah were distracted by many things in their important lives. You can read their histories in Holy Scripture and mull over the numerous things that commanded their interest. What we learn in this account in Luke’s gospel, is that what compelled all aspects of their lives, what really mattered to them, and what moved and motivated all of the other things that they accomplished by God’s command, was the salvation of God accomplished for the world by the eternal Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. It became the center of their lives and existence, and all was done for this purpose, that others might benefit from this gracious and merciful forgiveness and redemption of God by faith in God, knowing Him, His great love for us.
We too have many things that distract us in our lives, many important things that God has given us responsibility for. But when we are old and sitting on the porch in our rocking chairs weighing and evaluating our personal histories, everything will pale in comparison to the one thing that determines our eternal blessedness – the redemption God has provided for the world in the “departure” of His Son, the Lord Jesus. And when we appear with Him in the glory of His heavenly kingdom there will be one compelling and exhilarating thing that will predominate our thoughts, and that is the crucifixion of Jesus for our redemption and His resurrection for our justification [Rom. 4:25]. This is precisely how the saints in heaven are described as doing and living, no doubt Moses and Elijah among them [Rev. 5:9; Rev. 7:9-17]. Why wait until then? It is our greatest blessedness and wisdom even today to make sure that everything we do is centered in His redemption, praising Him for what He has done, and speaking of it as often as we can to as many people as we can. Our lives, as believers in Jesus, have but one center – what the glorious Lord Jesus Christ has done for us!
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, Your glory is beyond our full comprehension, especially the glory of Your humble love in Your willingness to be crucified and punished for the sins of the whole world. The glory of this Your love is beyond our proper praise and thanksgiving – but the Father and the Spirit give You the proper glory. We are privileged to join in Your praise, and praise of the Father and Spirit Who with You have accomplished this blessed salvation for us. Help us to make our whole lives to be put in the service of Your will to bring salvation and new life to all people. Make us faithful servants of Your Word. Amen.