I've got questions
- Gary Fritsch
- Aug 6
- 2 min read
Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration. This commemorates the episode in Scripture where Jesus takes Peter, James and John up on Mount Tabor and is completely transfigured before their eyes. He is then joined in this heavenly vision by Moses and Elijah. While this scene had to be overwhelmingly stunning to the three Apostles, we have the benefit of looking back over 2000 years and thinking about what else is revealed here - and I have questions.
The first one is this: what were Jesus, Moses and Elijah actually saying to each other. The passage says they were conversing with each other about the exodus which Jesus was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. I would have to imagine that conversation involved Jesus sharing with them the genius of God's plan, and the two great Old Testament figures asking questions, getting answers and being in awe of the grandeur of God's plan.
While I can't say for certain that this was the content of the conversation, I feel pretty confident that Moses and Elijah weren't telling Jesus the plan. As I pondered on this it led me to consider that this episode was for Peter, James and John (and now us) a glimpse into heaven and what it would be like. If that is true, then heaven includes things like: us asking questions of Jesus, getting answers and being in awe. In the book of Revelation, we have heaven described as almost an eternal liturgy - praising and worshipping God. While I am sure that the immediate presence of the God of the Universe would make this an experience greater than any we have ever had or could think of, I am still hoping there will be time for a little Q & A.
I dream of heaven and when I do, I imagine it a little like this:
Jesus (or perhaps some other person in heaven): blah, blah, blah - and that is why God made zebras with stripes
Me: that is unbelievable - God you are so amazing and creative (definition of creative I guess).
Me: what's the deal with dung beetles?
Jesus (or other person in heaven who already knows the answer): OMG (literally), you are not going to believe this one...
In this way, because over the course of our history, God has done so much in so many ways and in so many lives, we will never exhaust the stories of all He has done, and we will never cease to be amazed and praise Him for His goodness and favor. Creation stories, salvation history stories, personal stories - all reflecting the goodness of God and His great love for us. I have so many questions that I can't wait to ask.
In the meantime, I ask my questions of those I meet - what is God doing in your life? I am often left thinking that they are so amazing and that God is so amazing, and I praise and thank Him for His steadfast lovingkindness. When this happens, its a little heaven on earth for me.
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