The journey of faith made by Abraham was at the instance of God. God called him from the Ur of Chaldeans and directed him the way to go. This journey both physical and spiritual was not without a promise. We read today from the Book of Genesis of God’s promise to Abram. God promised Abram two major things; of numerous children as uncountable as the stars, and the great lands from “the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River, the Euphrates”. Though Abram was at this time without a child of his own, and the land seemed beyond his reach, he was expected to trust and obey. The cutting of the covenant was a significant step to show God’s faithfulness to the covenant. However, Abram had to wait on the Lord to show his glory which the Lord did at his own time and way. Each time God calls, he determines the way and the manner the journey to him would take.
Jesus had to take his inner circle disciples away from the crowd. The mountains usually painted the picture of quietude very much needed for divine encounter. We note that both Moses and Elijah had special encounters with the Lord on the mountains. Moses received the Ten Commandments from the Lord on Mount Sinai and Elijah climbed to Mount Horeb to wait on the Lord. The mountains provided the adequate atmosphere for divine encounter. May be, the mountain climb by the disciples left them fatigued and they slumbered off while Jesus conversed with the two men recognized as Moses and Elijah. As much as scholars may speculate on the content of the discussion, whatever it may be, the major concern here challenges us far beyond all that. From the things we gather specifically, we note the presence of Moses and Elijah, we read the reaction of Peter and we take cognizance of the voice of God which comes as an assertion and an instruction. These elements mean so much for us. Moses and Elijah played significant roles in the religious life of the Jews. Even at the time of Jesus and till date, the Jews recognize their major roles in the giving of the Law and Elijah being the greatest of the prophets in their history. Severally, Jesus made it clear to the curious Scribes and Pharisees that he had not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. Jesus’ assertion to the fulfillment of the Sinaitic covenant plays out in this encounter. It further states that these two important figures in the religious life of the Jews also identify with Jesus. Thus, the entire story of the Law and the entire Prophetic invitation to observe the statutes of the Lord, and the prophecies of the Messiah, find their consummation in the person and teaching of Jesus. There is a continuity in faith, but a separation of the new covenant from the old. Therefore, Jesus cannot be out of place in his teaching and mission. The disciples should have cause to believe in him.
On the other hand, Peter overwhelmed with joy did request to build three tents for Jesus, for Moses and for Elijah. He even forgot himself and the other disciples, James and John. In so far as they would remain in that state, it did not matter whether they themselves had tent or not. They were pretty satisfied that Jesus, Moses and Elijah had it. May be, without knowing it, Peter had placed Moses and Elijah on the same pedestal with Jesus, and God needed to remind him that. However, the reaction shows how much peaceful, joyous and beautiful the state in which they had found themselves made impression on them. It was not like anything else, seen or imagined, earlier in their lives. Since he had the best of company and the best of state, he was ready to trade anything to keep it. But then, it had not come to that yet. There will be a time for it. It was only a glimpse of what is to come; as Abram had a glimpse of what was to be his by faith. The intention may be to sustain this faith in the face of the complexities that would be met in the spiritual journey.
The voice of God that spoke through the cloud did assert the person of Jesus. He is unequivocally the Son of God! He should be listened to. Again, it is not for Peter to talk or to question or to direct or to doubt, but to listen. He has to listen to Jesus. This is applicable to all of us who claim to be his followers. To listen to him means for us to believe in him even when we cannot understand, to follow him even to the cross, and to accept him as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. If we do believe in Moses and Elijah in what they stood for, all the more reason to believe in Jesus whom God has identified as his own Son. This is the faith that makes us citizens of heaven.
As citizens of heaven, we are already transformed by the character of our lives. As Apostle Paul would say,” he will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body…” In that way we are transfigured. Thus, the transfiguration the disciples encountered with Christ is only a sign of what awaits all those who identify with him. But this crown will come after the cross. As it is characteristic of God, he would still choose the time and way he would wish to reveal his glory to us. It is our duty to trust and to obey.
The Christian life emphasizes over and over again the will of the Father as against our own will. Abram is called out from his kith and kin and given a promise yet to be realized at that time to move and to follow the divine invitation, and he did out of faith. Peter had wished to stay back in the state of the beatific vision, but he was called to achieve it through the cross, and he followed. Christ’s Passion is the will of the Father, and God’s son had to act as God’s servant, and he obeyed. The challenge we face each day is to overcome the self and submit to the will of the Father. The greatest glory to the Father is that we listened to his Son and followed even when we did not understand.
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