Making a Guest Appearance

Scripture: Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Mark 9:4

Observation: During the transfiguration, these two great prophets appear and converse with Jesus. We never learn their conversation. However, the fact it is the two of them seems odd.

Elijah is on the mind of everyone due to a prophesy that Elijah will precede the Messiah. It was not fully understood that the prophesy relates to one who will have Elijah's message of national repentance, and that John the Baptist was this Elijah. That said, Elijah makes sense as someone who would return, as he was "taken up in a whirlwind" and did not die.

The same cannot be said for Moses. Moses died and was buried, though his burial was performed by God himself and no one every knew where it was. Whatever the case, it was understood that - in this matter of death - Moses and Elijah are very different.

So why are Moses and Elijah the two prophets who arrive to talk to Jesus? Why would it not be ... Elisha who had twice the portion of the spirit as Elijah, or Isaiah who wrote the majority of the messianic prophesies, or David the king and the man after God's own heart? To me, these don't seem like the obvious choices, and if they are it isn't because they have the same qualifications.

Or ... maybe they do. Both Moses and Elijah had ministries to large national groups. Moses lead the entire nation of Israel. Elijah had a mission to attempt to change the entire nation of Israel before it was too late to repent. Both dealt with national leaders who could not or would not remain true to God, and both were forced to pronounce God's judgment as a result. That judgment might be a plague of snakes, or wandering in the desert, or a total lack of rain. Both also were persecuted by the authorities. Moses fled Egypt and later was threatened by Israel's weary leaders, while Elijah ran from the king and lived in hiding while fed by ravens.

While that seems, then, what Moses and Elijah may have discussed with Jesus, that really can't be. They could not have been there to give Jesus council. They must have been there for companionship. These are men who completely and totally walked with God. Moses spoke to God face to face. Elijah was taken up by God will still living. These men are God's friends ... they are Jesus' friends. It seems, then this isn't necessarily about Jesus seeking advisors from the great prophets of history, but rather Jesus seeking time with his friends.

Application: While I have NO basis for these thoughts, I am glad that God allows room for us to explore his teaching. If true, this understanding of God's word gives us an understanding of his nature, specifically that he values friendships and companions. It is possible for Jesus to enjoy our company.

While this applies best to someone who themselves fully trusts and confides in the Lord - an attitude with which most of us struggle daily - it still provides and understanding of Jesus' love for all.

Prayer: Lord, may I focus on you today and every day. Clear my head of worldly items, and help me meditate on your word day and night. I need my head filled with your word, and not other thoughts. I seek to someday be called your friend, and ask for your assistance in preparing my heart for such love. Amen.