Luke’s Gospel

Moses and Elijah were two of the greatest prophets of Old Testament times.  But they were only pointers to the Christ, God’s Son.  The disciples had to learn to focus all their attention on Jesus only.  How can we use the Old Testament in a way that draws us to Christ alone?

On the Mount of Transfiguration Moses and Elijah talked with Jesus about his Exodus.  They knew he could only bring his people out of slavery by his own death as the Passover Lamb.  But Peter’s mind was not on Passover: it was on Tabernacles – the Full Harvest celebration.    But without Passover, the Full Harvest could never come – for Peter or for us.

Peter and the other disciples confessed that Jesus was the Christ, supreme over all.  And Jesus told them what his destiny was to be.  Yet when they saw Elijah and Moses in their splendour, they quickly forgot the lessons they had learned.  What distracts us from Christ?

Jesus made it clear that following him would be a costly and painful business.  Why would anyone choose it?    Because of what we gain – life!  And because of what we see – even here in this world, those who follow him see the Kingdom of God.

Jesus knew that he would experience the humiliation and shame of the cross.  He warned that those who follow him must expect to carry a cross too, and share his shame.  What shame do we face in our society if we choose to follow Jesus?