Breaking the Word

About eight days after he said this, he took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." … (Lk 9:28-36)

Moses and Elijah spoke of his exodus in Jerusalem. Jesus ministry in Jerusalem is compared to exodus. Exodus was for the people of Israel a peak experience of God. It was an event that took place once in their life time but had significance for life long and for history to come. This was a pivotal event. This event was the source and summit of their life. With exodus they come from slavery as once freed people with faith in one God.

Moses appeared in transfiguration to make this exodus more significant. Moses was the one who had a God experience and communicated this God experience to the people. He called the father of the Judaic religion. It was Moses who formed the people into one nation basing on the belief in one God.

Elijah was also there at the transfiguration. He was the prophet who re-confirmed the faith of the people in one God. (1 Kings Chapter 18). It was the time when the people were carried away by false prophets. People began to believe in many other gods. This prophet come in to renew the faith of the people in YAHWEH.

Transfiguration tells us that Jesus is like Moses and Elijah who united the people in the faith of YAHWEH. Work and life of Jesus is similar to exodus in as far as it directs the people to Jerusalem to experience one God. 

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father…

 Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Messiah. From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, "God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you." He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." (Mt 16:13-23)

Revelation is always from God. Man can realize only certain aspects about things and persons. People recognize that Jesus is one of the prophets or John the Baptist etc. Yes they have realized only certain aspects of Jesus and his ministry. Revelation is total and complete. Revelation contains all aspects of the Jesus and his ministry. That is why Peter says you are the messiah.

Revelation also presents certain goals of life. Human understanding cannot accept this. When Jesus said about his journey to Jerusalem and his suffering etc., Peter could not accept it. He could not visualize his messiah in suffering. Probably Peter was like anyone else who waited for a political messiah.

For a messiah or Godly person human understanding and human explanation are ‘obstacles’ and they reveal Satan. Satan is the person whose thinking is not as God but as human being. Human beings are good but they can end up as Satan or recognize the Messiah depending on their thinking. Is it God’s thinking?