3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!”
The appearance of Moses brings to mind the story of him on Mt. Sinai, being covered with a cloud (Exodus 19:9), talking to the Lord face to face (Ex 33:11). Suffice it to say, this vision of Christ in glory speaking with both the great law-giver and the great reformer of Israel’s history signaled that God was about to embark on a new dispensation of dealing with His people, on the order of God giving the Law, and of God’s calling His people back to the Law (both incidents were accompanied by many miraculous events). No one doubts that this image of Christ reflects the OT imagery of God’s presence in a cloud (for example, when His “presence” entered the tabernacle, which the Jews called His “shekinah” glory). The voice is clearly God’s.
Poignantly, God does not say, “Listen to Moses and the Law.” God’s purpose in Jesus was not simply to reinforce the Law of Moses, so that the people would work harder at holiness. Nor did He say, “Listen to Elijah, the prophet of warning and judgment.” Shortly, Jesus would make it clear that that role belonged to John the Baptist and was completed. Rather, God focused on Jesus and we learn much about His thoughts about Him in this short sentence.
First, God had something to say, “Listen to Jesus!” The rebuke to Peter is obvious, for he had other ideas about what needed to be done. The disciples needed to get a grip on the fact that before action comes instruction. It is better for one to heed before one proceeds (see 1 Sam 15:22). It was a difficult lesson for Peter to learn.
God affirmed the conclusion the disciples had already arrived at based on the evidence, “This is my Son.” The vision confirmed their faith. Further, He expressed His love and pleasure in His Son. Reminiscent of the similar statement at Jesus’ baptism (Matt 3:17), the disciples were now in a better position to appreciate its significance. As noted before, in that day, suffering meant a person was under God’s judgment. Now, despite His prediction of His own death, it was made clear to them that Jesus was not under God’s judgment. Quite the contrary. God was greatly pleased with Him!
Lord, as You are pleased with Your “beloved Son” so too I am pleased with Him. What a wonderful Lord and Savior He is. I give You all my praise.
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