Jesus’s Exodus

Exodus - a going out; a departure or emigration, usually of a large number of people.

From the Greek preposition ek/ex (ἐκ/ἐξ), meaning "out of," and noun hodos (ὁδός), meaning "road," 

2Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 

3His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.

Mark 9:2&3 (NKJV)

There are over 63,000 cross references that connect the Old and New Testament’s scriptures.

On the mountaintop, Jesus stood radiant, transfigured in glory. As his body was starting to feel the tension and pain of grief for what He was about to face with the crucifixion, He sought confirmation from God as well. In fact, later in this storyline, Jesus is found praying, asking God if this was still His will. And it was. So, the Transfiguration wasn’t just for the disciples to see God’s Glory on Jesus (a confirmation), but for the spirit of Jesus to be ministered to and strengthened through God’s glory. It was a moment of divine affirmation. I found this portion of Jesus’s ministry so interesting.

7And a cloud came and overshadowed them;

and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” 

Mark 9:7 (NKJV)

Jesus’ grief wasn’t utter despair; it was the grief of loving so deeply.

Jesus knew the cost of redemption when He came to this earth.

The Transfiguration revealed that even in grief, God’s glory shines, God makes a way, the goodness of God conquers all.

4And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.

Mark 9:4 (NKJV)

Let’s learn about the significance of Moses, Elijah, and the Mountain. 

Beside Jesus, Moses and Elijah also appeared in Glory. They came to speak of Jesus’s “departure,” His Exodus, this is a word that echoes and prophesies deliverance and redemption. Moses and Elijah, both prophets who faced adversity and grief, ministered to Jesus. These Prophets were permitted to encourage/prophesy to the Messiah before His greatest trial.

Moses, the leader of the first Exodus from the books of Exodus through Deuteronomy. He had to stand before Pharaoh charging him to, “Let My People Go” and was given the authority to part the Red Sea to escape. Moses led the Israelites out of bondage, through a wilderness for many years, but toward God’s promise. Moses later found out that he himself would not see the promised land but boldly led the people toward it until his very end.

Mount Sinai, where God spoke with Moses, where God descended in fire and clouds to establish His covenant with Israel. After the Exodus from Egypt, the Israelites camped at its base, awaiting God’s instruction. The mountain shook, the people stood at a distance, scared, but Moses entered into the presence of the Almighty God. Moses alone was called higher on the mountain. He entered the cloud, ascending into the fire. Moses ascended, though briefly, echoing what was to come by Jesus. Jesus ascended to God’s right hand, a position of honor given after His resurrection, as a sign of His completed work and divine authority.

Elijah, a prophet who called Israel away from idolatry while confronting sin with holy boldness. He prayed for a drought, he was fed by a raven, ministered to by God, and later was swept up in a whirlwind, bypassing death. Elijah’s ministry was marked by calling hearts back to God, an Exodus from Sin toward redemption. Jesus, the redeemer, Elijah’s prophetic ministry mirrors John the Baptist’s call to repentance, who also prophesied of the coming Messiah.

“Mountains in scripture often represent places of revelation—where heaven meets earth. Think of Sinai (Moses) and Carmel (Elijah). Jesus chose a high mountain to echo these sacred encounters.” -biblehub.com-

• In the Old Testament, the Messiah was prophesied as a deliverer, one who would rescue Israel, establish justice, and reign in righteousness.

• In the New Testament, Jesus is revealed as the Messiah who fulfills the prophecies, bringing salvation out of sin into eternal life.

• Sin, like Egypt in Moses’s time, enslaves. But Jesus, the greater Moses, leads us out, He is the Way, the Truth, the Light.

• Jesus, the greater Elijah, calls us higher. His death is not defeat, but it is the doorway, our access to God.

Jesus’s cross was not a curse, like death by crucifixion on a tree represented, but was a ministry of grace and redemption for us, His people.

On the mountain where Jesus transfigured, Jesus stood between Moses and Elijah. Jesus stood between the Law, between deliverance and redemption. Noone But Jesus could pay this price, walk His walk. A perfect love. This mountain a physical metaphor for Jesus’s journey beyond crucifixion. Even Jesus needed to be ministered to.

Don’t shy away from the journey God has called you to.

You were not made for the valley of fear, but for the mountain of revelation.

Let the fire of God, like in the story of Elijah, refine you.

Let the law of Moses guide you.

Let the glory of Christ transform you, completely.