Luke 9:30-31 — "Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem."
Reflection
The appearance of Moses and Elijah at the transfiguration was loaded with meaning. Moses represented the Law — the covenant God made with Israel, the great deliverance from Egypt. Elijah represented the Prophets — the long line of messengers who spoke God's word to God's people.
Together, they represented the entire sweep of Israel's spiritual heritage. And both of them showed up to talk with Jesus.
Notice they weren't instructing him. They were talking with him as an equal — actually, as someone greater. The word Luke uses for Jesus' coming death is the Greek word for "exodus." Just as Moses led Israel out of physical bondage in Egypt, Jesus was about to lead all of humanity out of spiritual bondage to sin. The idea isn't that Jesus was a new Moses, but that he was like Moses — only immeasurably greater.
The disciples would be told to listen to Jesus, not Moses or Elijah. Every great figure in Israel's history was pointing forward, and Jesus is the one they were pointing to. He doesn't stand in a long line of spiritual heroes. He stands at the head.
Action Step
Read Hebrews 1:1-4 today. Reflect on how Jesus is described as the final and fullest word God has spoken. Journal one way that changes how you read the Old Testament.
Prayer
Jesus, you are the fulfillment of every promise. Help me read all of Scripture through the lens of who you are. Amen.
See here to share just this Prayer for Greater Than Moses.
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