The Tribune

By NICHOLAS MORLEY

“And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.” (Luke 9:30-35; KJV)

The Bible is normally referred to as the word of God or God’s word. This suggests that although God spoke many words, they are all one. One in unity, one in love, one in obedience, one in righteousness and one in judgement.

The phrase “God’s word” also suggests that both Old and New Testament carries the same weight. As a matter of fact, there would not have been a New Testament if there was not an Old Testament. Many of our beloved New Testament characters hung the meat of their sermons and writings on the bones of the old testament. And many of our Old Testament characters pointed to the meat to which their skeleton would later wear to make a whole. Yet, do we believe this today? Is God’s word really one? Do we still believe in the principle of line upon line, precept upon precept?

In the story of the transfiguration Peter saw it fit to accommodate Jesus, Moses and Elias with three individual tents. While that thought did not go any further past his mouth, God covered the three with a cloud cutting Peter’s idea off. In Peter’s defence, he genuinely wanted to help, but when it comes to the word of God, we too make the same mistake as Peter.

Christ, Moses and Elias all individually represent a portion of God’s word. Moses represents the law. It was through Moses that God introduced to the children of Israel his Ten Commandment laws. Elias represents the prophets. It was in the spirit of Elias that John the Baptist was fashioned in, and Jesus called him the greatest prophet of them all. Jesus represents grace. Grace and truth was given by Him.

Like Peter, the mistake we normally make is when we individualise the word of God. Peter innocently wanted to separate the trio, but God, in what may seem as disregarding Peter and his idea, covered the trio with clouds – indirectly telling Peter that this word is one word and should never be separated. Grace’s debut was not at Jesus’ first coming, because Noah found grace in the sight of the Lord. The law of God was not abolished when Jesus came, because He said if you love me keep my commandments.

After the clouds disappeared, out of the trio one was left standing standing: Christ Jesus himself, who is not only the fullness of the God head body, but the fullness of the word of God. We would want the fullness of Jesus. Separating the different aspects is taking only bits and pieces of Christ, thus coming up short of our intended blessing.