In the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, the writers recorded the account of Jesus being transformed or transfigured in the presence of his inner circle – Peter, James and John.   The uncertain location is typically referred to as the Mount of Transfiguration.  Anything reported in three of the four gospels is significant, so we should pay special attention.

Mark says, “After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, they were so frightened. Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him” (Mark 9:2-7)!

This was a supernatural moment for the disciples. Apparently, they had no warning of what they were about to witness.  Probably, a little joke orchestrated by Jesus.  Suddenly, his clothes began to almost glow they were so white and then Moses and Elijah appeared with him.  The other gospels tell us that the face of Jesus was also bright as the sun and that Moses and Elijah appeared in glorious splendor. There were times when God spoke to Jesus but those around him just heard thunder.  But this time, these three disciples could clearly see the two epic figures from Israel’s past.  Either Jesus introduced them or they were wearing name tags (church event) or they simply knew in their spirit who these men were.  These two were probably the most revered men in the Jewish pantheon of heroes.  Moses embodied the Law.  Elijah embodied the prophets. 

Peter, of course, was the first to blurt out something.  We are told that he didn’t know what to say because he and the other disciples were so frightened.  He didn’t know what to say, but he said something anyway.  Can you relate? “Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”  Undoubtedly, the disciples were starstruck, but Peter’s notion reveals he was giving each of them equal billing.

Then a cloud appeared, reminiscent of Mt. Sinai as Moses received the Law, and God spoke once again. Yahweh declared, “This is my Son, whom I love.  Listen to Him.”  As soon as God had spoken, Moses and Elijah were nowhere to be seen.  Then, Jesus instructed his three followers to tell no one what they had seen until after his resurrection.

The lesson for the Jewish followers was that, as great as Moses and Elijah were, and as much the Law and the Prophets were foundational to their faith, Jesus was greater and has the last word. We are to listen to Him.  That doesn’t mean that we should not study the Law and the prophets, but the Words of Jesus supersede all other men and all other things. Bill Johnson likes to say that Jesus is perfect theology.  Jesus said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.”  So, all other scripture must be interpreted through Jesus…either his words or his actions.  However we understand the Father or the Bible, it must line up with what Jesus said and did, his words and his character.

That is a good word for today.  No matter who is espousing their theology, their politics, their cultural values, their “scientific” theories…these must all be weighed against Jesus and it is Him we must listen too. If they don’t line up with Jesus, we must discard them, even if those views resonate with our flesh.

When we begin to put our faith in men, no matter who they are, we need to remember the Transfiguration.  As great as Moses and Elijah were, they were men subject to error, frailty, and failures.   We can still honor men, but Jesus must always be our North Star and the decoder of scripture.  Remember, the Pharisees and teachers of the Law immersed themselves in scripture. They memorized it, taught it, debated over it, and held it in the highest regard.  But they missed it. They missed nearly everything God had wanted them to get.  They missed Jesus, mercy and justice, In much of his teaching, Jesus had to correct their understanding – You have heard that it was said…but I say unto you.

We live in a world saturated with talk shows, news anchors, podcasts, preachers, prophets, and pundits.  It is easy to latch on to one or two of them and grant them the authority of truth in our lives. We may quote them more than Jesus and be led by their influence more than the Word.  They may have good things to say, but Jesus is God’s beloved and we must hear him first.  Be careful that you don’t start giving more influence to men than Messiah.  The last days will be marked with demonic deception where men, fueled by the enemy, will offer signs and wonders.  The truth of Jesus Christ will have to be our plumb line to test what these men and women teach and what the fruit of their ministry is.  Always remember, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”