Hear Him

When Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain, they witnessed a magnificent sight.  The Lord was “transfigured before them.  His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light” (Matt. 17:2).  Jesus talked to Moses and Elijah about His coming death (Lk. 9:30, 31).  When the three disciples awoke, Peter wanted to build three tabernacles; one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah (Lk. 9:32, 33).  However, God said, “This is My beloved Son.  Hear Him!” (Lk. 9:35).  Other than a fascinating event, what does this mean?

First, that there is life after death.  Both Moses and Elijah had been dead for centuries, yet here they are carrying on a conversation with Jesus.  The Bible teaches that the soul continues to exist after the body stops functioning (Lk. 16:19-31).  When the Judgment comes, our souls will be united with our resurrection body (1 Cor. 15:20-28; 1 Thes. 4:13-18).

Second, we are to listen to Jesus, not the Law (Moses) or the Prophets (Elijah).  It is not that we cannot learn from the Old Testament, but that we are now under the authority of Christ’s law, the gospel (Gal. 6:2).  It is the perfect law of liberty that sets men free from sin and Satan (Jas. 1:25; Jn. 8:32).  If we turn back to the Old Testament for authority, we turn to the ministry of death (2 Cor. 3:7).  Rather, we need to look to the life-giving New Testament for all we do (2 Cor. 3:6; Col. 3:17).

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginng with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
- John 1:1-3

The Case for Christ
By Lee Strobel