Who Is Jesus? Part 3Sample

Supernatural Spotlight

If you’ve been following along with the first two parts of this plan, you probably knew this moment was coming. Jesus and Moses—together. Throughout Matthew’s account, he’s been showing us the similarities between Jesus and Moses, while pointing out so many ways that Jesus is not just a second Moses, but a better one. This encounter reinforces all that Matthew has been telling us.  

There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Matthew 17:2-3 NIV

So here’s the question. Out of all the significant figures from Jewish Scriptures, all the kings and prophets and judges, why do Moses and Elijah get to share this super significant moment with Jesus? Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, he has drawn many parallels between Moses and Jesus, particularly as it relates to the Law. Moses met with God on Mount Sinai and received the 10 commandments. Now, here he is again, on a mountain, meeting with God in the flesh. Moses represents the Law. 

And Elijah was this powerful messenger of God, a prophet. Actually, he’s considered by many the greatest of the prophets. At the end of his ministry, he was taken to heaven in a flaming chariot. What an exit. Now, he’s standing here, with the God who left heaven to share the message of His Kingdom in person. Elijah represents the prophets. 

So when God speaks from heaven and says, “Listen to Him [Jesus],” He’s making it clear that both the Law and the prophets were always leading us to this moment. To Jesus. Because Jesus fulfilled the Law and all the messianic prophecies. The Old Testament, the Jewish Scriptures, pointed to Jesus like a supernatural spotlight.  

And that’s what Matthew has been hinting at all along. His book is the gospel account most closely linked with the Old Testament because his central theme is the fulfillment of God’s promise to bring salvation to His people, and the whole world, through Jesus Christ, the Messiah.