Why are you looking forward to the return of Christ? Well, the Jewish people during the first century wanted their Messiah to drive out the Romans and to restore the peace, power, and prosperity they had enjoyed during the days of David. In short, they wanted to bring all the blessings of Heaven to Earth forever.

Peter’s desire to set up tents on the mountaintop for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah reflect this idea. He and the rest of the disciples longed for Jesus to display His glory to the world, and now He was finally fulfilling their dreams! If these three glorious figures could just stay put for awhile, if they would display their glory to everyone on earth, all the opposition that Jesus had faced would instantly dissolve, and the united people of God would finally be able to assume their rightful place in the world.

But that’s not the way things worked out. Instead of planning a military campaign against the Romans, Moses and Elijah were talking with Jesus about His departure, His crucifixion and death. Just so, instead of telling Peter, James, and John to gather a crowd to witness the glory of Christ, God simply told them to listen to Him, especially to the things He had been saying in the previous verses about His death and resurrection (v. 22).

So, what does all that mean for us? Simply this: the second coming of Christ really isn’t any more about us getting what we want than the first coming was about fulfilling the Disciples’ desires. Instead, as the Father tells us in verse 35, our focus should be on the Son of God, the Chosen Messiah. When we come face to face with our Lord and King, whether that be when we pass from this life or when Jesus comes again, the important thing won’t be our pleasures or even our restored relationships with our departed loved ones. No, the important thing will be Christ Himself – His authority, His majesty, and His glory.

And the good news is that we don’t have to wait for all these blessings – after all, Christ has already come. He has already revealed Himself to us as the Son of God. And our King has already spoken to us – words of grace and pardon and welcome, words of rebuke and warning, words of challenge and reassurance. So, the same question faces us that those early disciples faced as well: will we listen to Him? Will we give our allegiance and our very lives to Him as He deserves?

Luke 9:28-36 (NAS)

28 And some eight days after these sayings, it came about that He took along Peter and John and James, and went up to the mountain to pray.
29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.
30 And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah,
31 who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
32 Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.
33 And it came about, as these were parting from Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah “– not realizing what he was saying.
34 And while he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”
36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.