As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 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. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, 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 he was saying.) Luke 9:29-33

Jesus on the mountain revealing who he is, the disciples were waking up and Moses and Elijah had turned up. Jesus is revealed as God as Moses and Elijah are specifically talking about Jesus' departure. Why this subject? Why not his ministry, miracles or something else? Specifically they are talking about Jesus' 'exodus'. It's interesting that the disciples have a very different understanding of what should happen. Peter wants to talk about something else, and presumably he thinks that he is saying the right thing. Peter thinks that this is 'tabernacles'; God coming to dwell with man. Now, Peter loves Jesus but he is wrong, Jesus is emphasising His departure but Peter wants to emphasize staying.

On another occation, the Bible says: Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Matthew 16:22-23

Here Peter puts his own desires above God's will. Again, it's important to stress that Peter loves Jesus, however, he is confusing what he thinks, and what he prefers, with God's will. Do we understand that God is preparing us for departure? Or do we want to put up a tent here? Rather than realise Jesus must go the cross Peter defiantly cries 'Never!' Lets consider the two men of God who appeared on the mount of transfiguration, first Elijah:

The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied, “so be quiet.” Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them walked on. Fifty men from the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. 2 Kings 2:5-9

Elijah was talking to Jesus and he knew how important this departure was having done it himself. In the above verses the prophets were all watching the 'exodus' of Elijah, only Elisha went with him. Elisha was told not to follow but he went anyway. Elisha had been serving Elijah for decades for this, he had been pouring water on his hands. The other prophets no doubt had also spent years serving and sacrificing but they were not going to follow. They did not understand that Elijah must depart, even afterwards they went to search for him, as if to bring him back. The Story of Moses is similar:

On that same day the Lord told Moses, “Go up into the Abarim Range to Mount Nebo in Moab, across from Jericho, and view Canaan, the land I am giving the Israelites as their own possession. Deut. 32:48-50

Just like Elijah, Moses also went through this departure process. We have an entire book of the Bible dedicated to explaining this process, the 'Exodus'. In it we are told that the people of Israel had to get all their belongings together, and to be prepared to leave in haste. After Moses faithfulness in leading God's people, God had to remind him that he would 'die'. He had to leave, his time would end.

Both Moses and Elijah ended their lives outside of the promised land, both looking forward to the promises of God. After Moses died on mount Nebo and after Elijah was taken up to heaven both met with Jesus, revealed as God, in the promised land. There are one of two ways we are leaving, exemplified by these men of God, either by death or by being taken up, but we are leaving. Are we ready for this exodus, this departure, that God intends to do? Or like the disciples on the mountain of transformation are we more interested in settling where we are?

Now, when we think of deperature, it can cause us to feel nervous or excited. I usually travel for work and ministry and I absolutely hate travelling, I usually lose my luggage. I hate waiting and queuing for hours. Now, when most people travel it is to go on holiday, so the departure can be quite exciting! You know that on the other side of the departure lounge is your holiday. Don't we realise that the departure from this world is to experience heaven? Paul was so excited about his departure. He said 'it is better to be with the lord 'by far' than stay' (Philippians 1:23). Today are we going to prepare for this departure or are we going to live like it is not really going to happen?

- Adapted from Pastor Dave's sermon (15/09/24)