Do you remember that time when Jesus went up on a mountain and was transfigured to where he was shining? And then also standing with him were Moses and Elijah? It’s a familiar story; one that we often read and then move on. But I’ve always thought it was interesting that Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus. Why those two? Why not Abraham instead of Moses? After all, God made the covenant with Abraham who was the father of all the Israelites. And why not Elisha instead of Elijah? I mean, Elisha received a double portion of that which was given to Elijah. Or why not a dozen other prominent figures of faith? David was the man after God’s own heart – why wasn’t he there? Daniel had tremendous faith and steadfastness; where was he? What was it about Moses and Elijah that they got to appear next to Jesus as he was glorified?
Well, there just happens to be a connection between those three men. They are the only three members of the 40-day Fasting Club.
Jesus: Luke 4:2 “…for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days.”
Moses: Exodus 34:28 “So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water.”
Elijah: 1 Kings 19:8 “and he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.”
Fasting is more than just not eating; it’s relying on God to sustain you. It is intentionally placing yourself in a position to allow God to be the provider rather than yourself. Each of these men showed deep, intense, complete reliance on God – to the point that they all did what nature says is impossible (Luke 18:27).
Now, is this why they were given the honor to appear with Jesus? I can neither confirm nor deny it. But they are the only three men that the Bible records as having fasted forty days and they are only three men to appear during the transfiguration.
Pleasing God often means getting out of our comfort zone. It means making sacrifices. What are you doing to put yourself in a position to be reliant on God?