30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, 31 appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
Appearing in outward splendor, grandeur, pomp, elegance and magnificence, Moses and Elijah discourse with Jesus about His upcoming departure which He was to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem. The redemptive work of Christ was nearing its end – the fulfillment, of course, was the cross in Jerusalem. I am reminded of Jesus’ words on the cross:28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:28-30 (NIV)
Ironically, the hyssop plant used to carry the vinegar soaked sponge to Jesus’ lips was also used in religious ceremonies to sprinkle sacrificial blood on the altar. One being used in the hands of the unrighteous bringing forth sour, sinful behavior and the other used to cleanse sinners bringing forth the righteous behavior God requires. Hence in David’s penitent Psalm 51:7 he states: 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Psalms 51:7 (NIV)
Peter, James and John were in a definite fog down in sleepy hollow land when they appropriately (some things being more important than sleep) became fully awake and perceived Jesus, Moses and Elijah in their entire splendor. That would certainly have made the heaviest of eyelids pop wide open! Interestingly, the word translated “glory” in verse 32 above is from the Greek word “Doxa” and carries with it a very weighty meaning indeed. Among many other things, the definition states: “glory, honor, wealth, splendor, prestige, respect, renown, fame; beauty, excellence of appearance, impressiveness, brilliance, illustriousness, and eminence. It is that form, aspect, or appearance of something which catches the eye, attracts attention, or commands recognition. “Doxa” can mean inner greatness, moral eminence, stressing an innate quality, majesty, magnanimity, sublimity, even that which is imposing, such as power, might, awesomeness, or dread – used especially of God.” It is no wonder that Paul states in Romans: And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2 (NIV)
Falling short of the glory of God now, as Paul tells us in Romans:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 (NIV); as Christians, we eagerly anticipate the time when we will share in Christ’s glory. Christ is the believer’s hope of glory. We are also told in Colossians:27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col 1:27 (NIV)
As believers we are to fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen as we wait in anticipation for the fullness of His glory to be made manifest in us: 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor 4:16-18 (NIV) And so we shall be like Him: 49 And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven. 1 Cor 15:48-49 (NIV) 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Phil 3:20-21 (NIV)
Lastly, John tells us: 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3 (NIV) Now that, my friends, is a reason to rejoice! “God is the God of promise. He keeps His word, even when that seems impossible.” Colin Urquhart “Other men see only a hopeless end, but the Christian rejoices in and endless hope.” Gilbert Brenken