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I went up a mountain with Peter and some others today. He’s a real eager beaver that Peter. When the guests showed up, he wasted no time in urging them to stay. He even went so far as to volunteer to build them each a home! That is Peter for you. The rest of us were still waffling in our astonishment when he already knew what he wanted and went for it with the tenacity of a bull terrier. But I see I have lost some of you, so let me interrupt myself to start at the beginning.

I found myself reading Mark 9 in the early hours of the morning today, having seen sleep laughingly exit my room without any intention of returning. I sat myself down to prepare for some quality quiet time and this is how I happened upon Mark 9 and Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain. The piece is written so well that I could imagine myself part of the scene.

There was Jesus, the beloved Teacher, whom we have been following through the earlier chapters of the book. With Him were the brothers James and John, as well as the tempestuous Peter. Suddenly Jesus’ appearance changed and He started to shine with a brilliance alien to this world. Then, just as unexpectedly, Moses and Elijah joined Jesus there. These guys, who had not been seen on earth for centuries were right there, in deep conversation with Jesus. This is the same Moses who would have to hide his face behind a veil after meeting with God in the Tent of Meeting, because his face would shine with such splendour that it invoked fear in the people. And then when it came time for him to die, his body could not be found for the angels had taken care of it. (You can read all about this in Exodus 34:33-35 and Jude 1:9). 

It was the same Elijah who had performed miracles similar to the ones performed by Moses; providing food in times of hunger and drought, splitting the waters, etc. It was also the same Elijah whose body could not be found after he was taken away in a wind, even though they searched for it for days on end. (You can read about Elijah in 1 Kings 17 - 2 Kings 2). It was the same Moses who came to represent the Law to the Israelites. It was the same Elijah who came to represent the Prophets to God’s chosen nation.

Peter was as astonished as the rest of us, but he was always rash to act and this time would be no exception. He practically jumped at the opportunity to make himself useful. If ever there were three people he wanted to keep around, they were gathered right here. And that was when he offered, including the other two in his proposal, to build each of them a hut.

It was at this moment that a cloud covered the mountain where they were standing and, as in the days of Moses, a voice spoke from heaven. Who did this voice acknowledge? What did He say? He only acknowledged Jesus, declaring Him His beloved Son. And then He gave instruction that Jesus should be adhered to: 

“Listen to Him.” 

Now put yourself there in that same spot at that exact time, for a moment. You went up that mountain with only one of these three people, namely Jesus. If any of the three of them did not need an introduction, surely it was Jesus. One would expect that God would introduce the two newcomers. But He doesn’t. He introduces Jesus. The next verse (v. 8) holds a pertinent clue; 

“Suddenly, when they looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.”

Did you see it? All of this happened not long before Jesus went to Jerusalem to be crucified and resurrected from the dead. What does God do when Peter asks for the Law and the Prophets to stay? He takes them away, leaving only Jesus in their place.

If there is any one place in the Bible where God makes it pertinently clear that the Law and the Prophets were fulfilled in Jesus, it is this one here. Think about that word fulfilled for a moment. It means filled up. No more space. Put it away, it can take no more.

Only Jesus was left. Jesus brought a message of forgiveness, of healing, of release. He did not bring a burden of laws and right-living. Moses gave the law to the people. The prophets admonished people to return to the law. Jesus brought forgiveness. This is God’s Beloved Son. Listen to Him!

How many huts are you erecting in your life? Are you building a place for Moses to stay? Are you preparing an abode for Elijah? When will you realize that only Jesus was acknowledged on that mountain? Only Jesus was allowed to stay.

What did He say on the cross? It is finished! (John 19:30). Why do you struggle to believe Him? Why do you insist that there is still something left for you to DO? Jesus said it was finished. Let it be so. 

“Listen to Him.”

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy the books here:

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