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While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. (vv. 5--8)


The Pope allegedly was flying from Rome to New York for a very important meeting with the Secretary General of the United Nations. Preparations for the meeting had begun months earlier, and the Pope eagerly anticipated his part in this historic meeting.

As the plane approached John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City, it was unexpectedly diverted to Newark Airport in New Jersey. Then because of unsafe wind conditions, the aircraft was forced into a holding pattern, which further delayed the arrival for more than an hour. When the plane finally touched down at Newark, the Pope was quickly whisked away in a limousine to his conference with the Secretary General at the U.N. building in Midtown Manhattan.

With the meeting scheduled to begin within a few minutes, the Pope sat anxiously in the back seat of the limousine. He then gently asked the chauffeur, "Can you drive a bit faster, my son? I have a meeting with the Secretary General of the United Nations. There are more than 200 dignitaries awaiting my arrival. The outcome of this meeting could have a dramatic effect on world events. I must not be late."

The limousine driver begged, "I'm terribly sorry, Your Holiness, but I can't afford another speeding ticket. I have already been warned that if I receive one more ticket I will lose my license. Surely you understand. I have a wife and three children to support. I'm really terribly sorry."

The Pope was sympathetic to the worried driver. However, he desperately needed to travel faster. He asked the chauffeur to stop the car. The Pope then got out of the limousine, told the chauffeur to get in the back, and then stepped in behind the wheel himself as he sped off toward his appointment.

The Pope drove aggressively and rapidly wove in and out of traffic. His driving caught the attention of several motorists, none more important than two New York City police officers. The officers promptly chased the vehicle and signaled it to pull over.

A notoriously tough officer announced to his partner, "Let me handle this one. These big shots think they can order their chauffeurs to speed around my city in their big limousines. Well, this one's not going to get away with it. I'll see to that. Before I'm through, this guy will have at least five tickets to pay! It'll be the sorriest day of his life."

His partner remained in the patrol car and watched. Within a minute, the hard--nosed cop returned and was visibly shaken. His ticket book was still unopened. His partnered inquired, "You didn't write him a single ticket? What happened?"

The first officer said sheepishly, "I couldn't write him a ticket. This guy is important. I mean really important."

His partner asked, "Who was it? The Mayor of New York City?"

The first officer responded, "No, bigger than that."

His partner then asked, "Well, was it the Governor of New York State?"

He replied, "No, bigger than that."

His partner cried out, "Don't tell me you pulled over the President of the United States?"

The shaken cop insisted, "No, he's even bigger than that!"

His partner retorted, "Bigger than the President of the United States? Who in the world is bigger than the President of The United States?"

The first officer answered, "Well, I'm not exactly sure, but the Pope is his chauffeur!"

Peter, James, and John might have wondered who was bigger than Moses and Elijah. God let them know it was Jesus, God's Beloved Son. The importance of Elijah and Moses faded away when placed next to Jesus.