Jesus > Law and Prophets

Have you ever wondered how Jesus fits in with the Law and the Prophets? Or how you should bring the two texts together to adequately see and understand God?

If so, this post is for you. We'll be unpacking Mark 9:2-9. While you listen to the audible scripture, I strongly encourage you to sit back, close your eyes and use your imagination to see the events play out in your mind. So, let's get going! Click on the link below and start listening from 0:12 to 1:08.

Audible Bible: Mark 9:2-9 NLT

Imagine being of the three disciples chosen to accompany Jesus up the mountain. To say the disciples were bewildered, when they saw Jesus transform and talk to Moses and Elijah, is an understatement. Moses was a prominent leader in Israelite history. He was chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, slavery and bondage, to the promised land. It was in the desert that God also gave Moses the Law. Elijah, on the other hand, was a well-known prophet that God used to share His messages and warnings during the "1 Kings" period. He was used by God to reveal the Israelites' disobedience and sin. Under the Law, there were blessings for obeying the Law, and curses for breaking the Law. Elijah's job was to turn the people back to obedience to God. Both Moses and Elijah were therefore prominent figures in Israelite history: they were used by God, they heard his voice and experienced great miracles. God spoke through them to the people and in this transfiguration account, they are representatives of their time and period. Where Moses represents the Law, Elijah represents the Prophets. Both are also representative of how God related to and spoke to humanity: through the law and the prophets.

Peter upon seeing Jesus talking with the heroic figures, awkwardly states: “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials —one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (v. 5). The term "Rabbi" is an Aramaic word that translates to "teacher" in Hebrew. In the Jewish community, a rabbi is viewed as a spiritual leader, a role model, a counsellor and an educator. Peter through calling Jesus "Rabbi" relates to Jesus as a teacher-figure and not as the son of God. He saw Moses and Elijah as equal to Jesus and wanted to build them each their own "shelters as memorials." This is the same Peter who a few days prior, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, proclaimed Jesus to be "the Messiah [the Christ], the Son of the Living God" (see Mark 8:27-29). 

Jesus, however, is not equal to Moses and Elijah.  He is far superior. 

Paul writes in Colossians that "[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶ For by [Jesus] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through [Jesus] and for [Jesus]. ¹⁷ And [Jesus] is before all things, and in [Jesus] all things hold together." Colossians 1:15-17 ESV

After Peter's reaction, "a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him" (v. 7). God responds to Peter by exalting Jesus and telling the three disciples to listen to him. The implication is that they should not listen to Moses and Elijah. This message is further strengthened by the next verse: "Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus with them." Moses and Elijah faded away with God's instruction to listen to His beloved Son, Jesus.

"[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God..." Colossians 1:15

To see Jesus means to see God. Jesus said, "He who has seen me, has seen the Father" (John 14:9). There was, therefore, no need to listen or behold Elijah and Moses. Jesus is the perfect representative of God's will and nature. Who better to reveal God to people than His only Son, who was with Him since the beginning? (see John 1:1-5, 14)

The writer in Hebrews further illustrate this point, 
"Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. ² And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son [Jesus]. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son, he created the universe. ³ The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he [Jesus] sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honour at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven." Hebrews 1:1-3 NLT 

Today, we get to know God by listening to Jesus (Mark:9:7) and beholding Jesus (Mark 9:8), not by the Law or the Prophets. The Law was like a guardian to lead us to Christ so that we can be justified by faith. Now that we are justified by faith we are no longer under the Law but are the children of God (see Galatians 3:23-28).

What does this mean?

When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you "put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27 KJV). In other words, you become one with him. You are clean from all your sin, you have His nature and you have His right standing before God (i.e. His righteousness). This picture illustration is similar to when you put on a long cloak that hides your whole body. When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you put on Christ and you are hidden in Him. When God looks at you, He sees Jesus: His beloved son with whom He is well pleased. In Christ, you are God's child, an heir, pure, holy, just and righteous. You are God's beloved child, with whom he is well-pleased.