At the transfiguration Jesus is seen by Peter, James and John with Moses and Elijah. Somehow the three disciples knew it was Moses and Elijah, so I suppose Jesus called them by name.
I have wondered why Jesus was with these two men. Why not with Adam, the first man, or Noah, or Enoch, or King David, etc? But if you research this, the answer is interesting: First, the last prophet, Malachi, to ever prophesy said this in Malachi 4:5-6 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents….”. This was the fulfillment of the last prophecy ever uttered about the coming Messiah. Jesus was the “bridge” between the old and new covenants, and the pillars of the church, Peter, James and John saw this first hand. Jesus was transfigured in front of them for a purpose.
And when God said, "Listen to him", He made it clear that Jesus is His mouth-piece. His authority was surpassing the laws of Moses by virtue of his sonship with God!
Think of what else this proved to the disciples: Moses had been dead for 1000 year! Elijah was taken up in a fiery column 500 years later—-but these men were alive and now live in the presence of the of God! Jesus showed them the truth of eternal life.
But what got my attention was what God said: “Listen to him”. Earlier, at Jesus’s baptism, God had proclaimed: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”. Those words are stirring, because both of these things reveal something I did not understand earlier in my life: The Father’s profound pride in His one and only Son. I cannot keep count of the times during the day that all three of my young sons ask me, after performing a task, “Are you proud of me?” They perform small tasks, and diligently attempt to perform them in a manner that they assume will please me. But because of my attention to other matters (things that are not that important) I often fail to compliment them on their good work, and they must remind me, “Aren’t you proud of me?”
Praise be to God—Jesus never had to ask the question! His father, the perfect example of a Father, was quick to tell His Son—-well done!……I am proud of you!…..You have once again done what greatly pleases me!
Oh, to be the father that my heavenly Father is!!! God have mercy on me and help me see my sons—and other sons and daughters— as you see them! Help me to tell them how proud I am of them before they have to ask me……