And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Luke 9:30-31
The exodus is one of my favorite stories in the bible. It illustrates the power of God’s hand in the lives of the Jewish people by leading them out of slavery and into the land that was promised to them through Abraham. It is a story about leaving things behind, standing up to bullies, and fighting for what you believe in. This is why I love Passover- because it reminds me of the resiliency we have as humans, and the ability, with God’s supernatural help, to accomplish what He has called us to do.
In today’s gospel reading we see the word exodus appear in the context of the transfiguration. Moses and Elijah speak of Jesus’ “exodus,” referring to His death from this world for something greater. Jesus indeed accomplished what no other man was able to, He was resurrected from the dead.
How many times in our own lives have we had an enemy against us, been bullied, or made to feel less than? For those who believe, we rely on Jesus to remove us from that situation, to accomplish our own personal exodus for something greater. But in order to pray that “exodus” prayer, we have to first believe that Jesus has something greater planned for us. We have to die to self in order to embrace the new life that Jesus has for us.
For the Jewish people, what they thought would be the most joyous moment of their lives in leaving slavery became the most difficult journey of their lives. This is because when you have been living in any kind of slavery, it takes time to unravel that mindset in order to embrace freedom. The same is true for you and me. When Jesus answers our exodus prayers, He is also calling us out of the world’s slavery into freedom in Christ.
This Lent, if you are in a situation that enslaves you and you are having difficulty finding your way out, turn to Jesus and pray your own exodus prayer. Be prepared for God to answer you. Be prepared to leave everything behind for Christ.