It is often difficult for us to see reality. Sometimes our preconceived notions of how things ought to be causes us to have a distorted view of the actual facts. Sometimes we don’t know crucial information which would change how we look at things. But, most importantly, we often forget that the physical and material world in which we live is not all there is. There is a spiritual dimension to everything we do. There are spiritual forces at work which we cannot see or perceive with our physical senses.
In the Gospel which bears his name, Mark records how some of Jesus’ disciples had the rare privilege of seeing a glimpse of the reality beyond our physical world. In chapter 9, verses 2 through 8 he writes, “After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and brought them up onto a high mountain privately by themselves, and he was changed into another form in front of them. His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. Elijah and Moses appeared to them, and they were talking with Jesus. Peter answered Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” For he didn’t know what to say, for they were very afraid. A cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly looking around, they saw no one with them any more, except Jesus only.”
Not long before this incident Peter had declared his belief that Jesus was the Christ, that is, the One God chose to fulfill His plan of reconciling mankind to God. Now, Peter, James and John received dramatic proof that Peter’s declaration was true – Jesus truly was God’s Chosen One.
Not only did the appearance of Jesus’ face change, His clothes turned a dazzling white, far beyond the skill of a laundryman. Another account of this same incident says that they shone like lightning (Luke 9:29). What was the significance of this? Earlier Jesus had told His disciples that He would come, “in his Father’s glory” (Mark 8:38). No doubt what Peter and the others saw was a glimpse of that glory. For a moment they were privileged to see Jesus’ true nature, the glory He gave up when He left God’s presence in heaven to come to earth as a man. Many years later, Peter wrote, “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (2 Peter 1:16 NIV)
Jesus’ glory was not the only thing the disciples saw. Moses and Elijah also appeared in glorious splendor and spoke with Jesus. Mark does not tell us what they talked about. However, Luke informs us that they discussed Jesus’ departure which would be accomplished in Jerusalem. Elsewhere the Scriptures use the word which is translated here as ‘departure’ to refer to death. However, this same word is used to describe the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. Just as God led the Israelites through the Red Sea in order to bring them out from slavery, so too, Jesus’ death in Jerusalem would enable all people to escape the slavery of sin.
Why Moses and Elijah? Perhaps it was because Moses was the one through whom God gave the Law to the Israelites. By means of the Law of Moses, God entered into a covenant relationship with the Israelites. If they kept God’s expectations defined by the Law, they would live. Unfortunately, no one could meet God’s standards. The penalty for sin is death, that is, eternal separation from God. Though the Law provided sacrifices for sins, those sacrifices were insufficient. Scripture says, “…it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, O God.’”” (Hebrews 10:4-7 NIV)
Many Jews considered Elijah to be the greatest prophet after Moses. His being taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11) certainly was unusual. Also, the prophet Malachi predicted that Elijah would return (Malachi 4:5-6). In light of these things, perhaps Elijah and Moses encouraged Jesus to complete the task which God gave Him. Even their salvation depended on Him doing so.
Upon viewing all this, the disciples, quite naturally, were frightened. Like many people, Peter started talking in order to cover up his fear. When he suggested building shelters for Jesus, Moses and Elijah perhaps he had in mind the ‘tent of meeting’ outside the Israelite camp where Moses used to meet with God. Whatever he might have been thinking a divine voice from a cloud which enveloped them interrupted. The voice, in essence, told Peter to stop talking and listen. More importantly, Peter and the others were to listen to Jesus, God’s beloved Son. The meaning is clear: Jesus’ message is greater than that of Moses or Elijah. Though both of them were great men and spoke on behalf of God, Jesus is greater still. Is He the One we listen to?
Though God’s endorsement of Jesus could not be more plain, it was not the right time to tell the world what had happened. In verses 9 through 13 Mark writes, “As they were coming down from the mountain, he commanded them that they should tell no one what things they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept this saying to themselves, questioning what the “rising from the dead” meant. They asked him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He said to them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and restores all things. How is it written about the Son of Man, that he should suffer many things and be despised? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they have also done to him whatever they wanted to, even as it is written about him.””
Even though they were witnesses of Jesus’ glory, Peter, James and John still did not understand the purpose for His coming to earth. They did not realize that He had to sacrifice His life to save the lives of sinners. This is why they kept discussing what Jesus meant about rising from the dead. To them it was inconceivable that God’s Messiah would have to suffer and die. In response, Jesus pointed out that His suffering and rejection was a fulfillment of prophecy. Also, they had a misunderstanding about the Messiah’s forerunner. Figuratively speaking, John the Baptist was the Elijah who would come before the Messiah. John not only prepared the way for Christ, his suffering was also an indication that Christ would have to suffer.