Scroll V
CHAPTER XI
Moses and Elijah

"Moses and Elijah!"

I was captivated. "Moses and Elijah? How could this be?" It isn't that I doubted what Peter said, but I was stunned to hear him say it. Both of these great men had experienced the power of God on a mountaintop. Moses returned from Sinai his face shining as Peter had just described the face of Jesus. Sinai, where the Commandments had been carved in stone by the finger of God. And Mt. Pisgah, where Moses had died, we could look in the distance and see this mountain from where we now stood. I wondered if Moses saw Hermon in the distance, if he thought he would one day visit here, with the Messiah himself? Elijah had, of course, met with God on Mount Horeb and destroyed the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Mt. Hermon could be seen from Carmel also. Now they were here? On this mountain? Now?

He ignored my questions. "I was struck," continued Peter, "by the word the two of them used for 'departure.' It was the word Exodus!, the same word which we use to recount the departure of our people from Egypt." Turning to Jesus once again he inquired, "What does that mean, Lord?" The fire glowed in Jesus' eyes. He said nothing.

I had no idea what it might have meant. Both Moses and Elijah left this world in an unusual manner. Moses was buried in a place known only to God. Elijah was conversing with Elisha, and suddenly a chariot of fire appeared and separated the two of them. Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. Was Jesus to leave as well? If so, would he be caught up like Elijah?

Moses and Elijah! Moses died centuries ago and was buried in a sepulcher of unknown location. So far as anyone knows, Elijah never died. Why would they now appear, how could they appear with Jesus on this mountain, in this place? This means that Moses is alive, not dead, and that Elijah is alive with him. Does this mean for certain, that physical death is not the end? I pondered these questions for a moment. Of course, I had always believed in life after death, but if Peter, James and John were to be believed, not to speak of the Lord himself, who by his silence gave approval to what was being said, here with the appearance of Moses and Elijah was living proof that they yet lived! The hairs on my neck rose.

"I don't know how long they spoke with him," continued Peter. "On the one hand, it seemed as if they would stay forever; on the other, it seemed as though they were there and then they were gone. I . . . I didn't know what to do, what to say . . . So I spoke to the Master . . ." He gestured at Jesus still gazing at the fire, but at Peter's reference to him, he simply looked up at us and quietly smiled.

"I said, 'Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three monuments--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.' While I was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped the four of us. This was not a normal cloud. It came upon us suddenly and it, too, was luminescent, like it was . . . like it was alive. Suddenly, a voice came from the cloud, saying, 'This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!' And then it was over. Moses and Elijah, the cloud, the light, all gone. There was no one left but Jesus, myself, James and John and of course, the dog. The splendor of it all had evaporated." Peter left off. There was nothing left to say. He looked at us and shrugged. Jesus sat on the log, staring at the fire.

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After we had breakfasted, we poured dirt on the coals and began our descent. As we walked, Jesus spoke, "I do not wish you to speak of this to anyone."

"Why, Lord?"

"Because what happened here on this mountain last night was private. Meant only for you." And then he said quietly to himself, "And for me." He paused briefly and continued. "There are several reasons why this took place. One of these reasons is to convince you that the dead live. As you have seen Moses and Elijah, you will also see me. Remember this, you will need it to comfort you in the days to come."

"But you are not dead, Master," I ventured. "As the Father has spoken, you are his beloved Son. How can you die?"

He stopped, turned and faced us all. We all stopped, waiting, listening intently. There was no sound except for the wind in the cedars. No birds, no chatting squirrels, no wild dogs howling in the morning light.

"I will die," he said, "before your very eyes." He said it simply, stated as directly and forthrightly as anything could be said. We were incredulous. At least I was. To further stretch our incredulity he added once again, "And as you have seen Moses and Elijah, so shall you see me." With that, he continued walking, leaving us with the silence of our thoughts. The trail gave way to the approaching valley. We had walked in silence for some time, each of us left with his own mental stratagems as to what to do with what he said. I could think of nothing else.