Bible Studies

IT HAD TO COME OUT!

by Luella Campbell
11/24/13
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IT HAD TO COME OUT!

"About eight days after saying this, He climbed the mountain to pray, taking Peter, John and James along. While He was in prayer, the appearance of His face changed and His clothes became blazing white. At once two men were there talking with Him. They turned out to be Moses and Elijah -- and what a glorious appearance they made! They talked over His exodus, the one Jesus was about to complete in Jerusalem." Luke 9:28-31 (The Message).

Exodus -- a strange and unusual word to describe what Jesus was soon to accomplish in Jerusalem. This was obviously a reference to His death and resurrection, but why "exodus"? Luke is the only one of the gospel writers who used this word. Did he understand something the others hadn't grasped?

This was a highly significant event. Why did it happen? Of what value would it have been had Jesus been alone on the mountain?

Let's answer the second question first. Did Jesus need the affirmation of His Father? He had received the Father's blessing at His baptism and, on the strength of that, He had launched into His public ministry, having passed the test of true son ship during His forty days in the wilderness. He had lived in close union with the Father and learned the lessons of obedience by obeying Him in every detail of His life. He knew He was loved and He lived out of that assurance. No, He did not need another affirmation of his identity as the Son.

It would seem that this was about the disciples; they needed this revelation of Jesus to cement two things in their minds, His identity and His mission. The appearance of Moses and Elijah and Peter's reaction would help to put Him in perspective. Two of Israel's most important and revered historical figures in company with Jesus?

It is clear that the disciples overheard the conversation -- His exodus in Jerusalem. The exodus from Egypt, of course, was inseparably linked to Moses. Moses had led the children of Israel out of Egypt and into a covenant relationship with God. Elijah's ministry was a powerful attempt to lead the people of the northern kingdom of Israel back to God out of slavery to idol-worship.

What was the meaning of Jesus' exodus? Did it refer only to His departure from the world of humans back to the Father? The exodus from Egypt was a type of a greater deliverance -- from slavery to sin and into a new covenant, sealed in His own blood, that was be a better covenant, based on better promises and sealed with a better sacrifice, guaranteeing a better hope.

This was an experience Peter and John never forgot and which helped to shape their conviction that Jesus was God's Son and the promised Messiah. Peter wrote of this revelation: "For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. He received honour and glory from the Father when the voice came from the Majestic Glory, saying, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.' We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Him on the sacred mountain." 2 Peter 1:16-18 (NIV).

John's testimony is similar: "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 (NIV).

It was imperative that these men, who were to testify to the world that Jesus was God's Son, be so convinced in their hearts that they would be willing to give their lives for the truth they would proclaim. And they became eyewitnesses of something that no one else had ever seen.

We may not see the glory of Jesus in His visible form but with the eye of faith we have seen and believed. Have you?