Luke 9 v 35
Remember that this event of the Transfiguration, also convinced the disciples of the utter certainty that Jesus was going to return. How do we know this? Well, Peter says some amazing things about this experience, much later in his life, when he was writing a letter to the Christian Church. In 2 Peter 1 v 12 – 18 we have a recounting of this episode. But we have something more. Not recorded in the Gospel narrative, but written by Peter are these words. “For he received honour and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the majestic glory saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard their voice when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
What Peter says is that at a certain point in the proceedings, Jesus received from God the Father, a tremendous accolade of honour and glory.
Back in the Gospels, Peter made the unfortunate suggestion that they establish 3 tents, one each for Moses, Elijah and Christ, implying that Christ was on the same level as the prophets. At this moment as Christ was about to descend the mountain and go on with His Journey to the Cross, the cloud appeared and the heavenly voice was heard. “This is my Son, my Chosen One; hear Him.”
The Father planned Christ’s Exodus or death, and Christ was willing to obey. The Father delighted in the son and honoured him in this way.
Then Peter came to see that the death of Christ was not a tragic accident of history, but rather foreordained before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1 v 21) and one day God would do before the whole universe what He had done on the mount of transfiguration. Christ would come again and be vindicated. He would come not only with his own glory but also that of the Father and the holy angels. (Chapter 9 v 26) No glory would be too great for the father to bestow upon His son.
So Moses and Elijah disappear. They had helped to prepare the way, but now the redemption of the world would depend on Christ and Christ alone.
Do you believe all this? We all should believe it firmly and thank God with all our hearts for such a love and such a redemption.