Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Monday, February 11, 2013 Read – Exodus 19:16-25 & Exodus 24:9-18 We have just looked at the Transfiguration story and the appearance of Moses and Elijah. We’re going to take a couple of days to step away from Luke and think more about the Transfiguration story and what it might mean. The presence of Moses in the Transfiguration story is meant to draw our attention back to the experience of Moses on Mount Sinai and the giving of the law. The two stories from Exodus tell us both of the majesty of God on the mountain and even the dangerous possibility of coming into contact with God on that mountain and the role of mediator that Moses was given by God. One way of looking at the whole experience of Moses and the giving of the 10 commandments is to see that experience as God giving direction to his people about living. In Hebrew the word we translate as “Law” is the word “Torah” which is much broader than just legal material. To give the Torah was really to give instruction for the whole way of life. It was really instruction about how to live as God’s people. What Moses received on Mount Sinai was God’s instruction – God’s gracious word that leads to life. On the Mount of Transfiguration Jesus receives instruction too – and it is apparent that Luke wants his readers to know that the instruction Jesus received was instruction that would lead to Jesus’ death – and through his death, ultimately to life. So, maybe in Luke’s thinking the Transfiguration was as much for Jesus as for anyone else. Jesus received instruction.