073. MAT 17:1-8. TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST

Mat_17:1-8. Transfiguration of Christ

PART I

"And after six days, Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them," &c.’97Mat_17:1-8.

It appears from the preceding chapter that, a few days previously, Jesus had been conversing very intimately with his disciples, as to the opinion men formed of his person and character; and that he had also desired a public and frank avowal of their own sentiments concerning him. Peter on this occasion made that glorious confession which called forth the public approval and honor of Christ, and which was associated with that distinguished promise, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" It seems that, a little while afterwards he made known unto them the events connected with his sufferings and death; and that Peter, who had previously made so good a confession, expressed himself with unbecoming freedom and rashness, and said, "Be it far from thee, Lord, this shall not be unto thee;" which drew forth that severe reproof, "Get thee behind me, Satan, for thou art an offence unto me," &c. The term Satan signifies adversary, and referred to Peter’s adverse state of mind respecting the doctrine of his sufferings and death. Jesus then began to discourse upon the necessity of all who would be his disciples taking up the cross, and, if necessary, being willing to abandon life itself for his sake. "Now after six days had transpired, Jesus took Peter, James, and John," &c. Observe,

I. The Witnesses of Christ’s Transfiguration.

"Peter, James, and John."

1. Peter.

He was distinguished for his zeal and earnestness, as well as for the noble confession he had just made. He was destined to possess an elevated position among Christ’s apostles. He was to be the first who should make known the gospel of the kingdom, both among Jews and Gentiles, after Christ’s resurrection.

2. James.

He was the first apostle who should seal the doctrines of the gospel with his blood.

3. John.

He was Christ’s beloved disciple, his youngest follower, and his bosom friend.

The sight of the transfigured Saviour was well calculated to establish Peter in his elevated views of Christ’s glory, and at the same time to reconcile him to the doctrine of his death. It was, likewise, every way adapted to encourage James to follow Christ, even to death, that he might partake of his glory. And in this way John was more fully qualified to be the defender of Christ’s divinity and glory. In reference to these witnesses it may be remarked, that they only were Christ’s attendants when he raised the daughter of Jairus; and who witnessed the Saviour’s agony in the garden of Gethsemane; Mar_5:37; Mat_26:37. As to the number, three, it may be observed, that more would have tended to disturb the hallowed scene, and three were sufficient to attest to that glory which was exhibited before them.

Notice,

II. The place selected for Christ’s Transfiguration.

"Bringeth them up into a high mountain apart." Most generally admitted to have been Mount Tabor. It is deserving of remark,

1. That mountains have often been selected as places of divine manifestation and glory.

It was on Mount Moriah that Abraham was called to offer up his son Isaac; it was on Mount Horeb that God appeared to Moses in the burning bush; it was on Mount Sinai that God descended when he gave the law; it was on Mount Pisgah that Moses beheld the promised land, and on Mount Nebo that God took him to himself; on Mount Ebal Joshua built an altar to the Lord, and wrote upon stones the law of Moses; it was on Mount Carmel that Elijah challenged and destroyed the prophets of Baal; on Mount Zion he temple was erected.

2. Christ often selected mountains as the scenes of his labors and devotions His own blessed and heavenly laws he delivered on a mountain; Mat_5:1. He often retired to meditate and pray on a mountain; Luk_6:12. He was crucified on Mount Calvary, and from Mount Oliver he ascended to glory.

3. A mountain was a place highly favorable for the exhibition of Christ’s transfigured glory.

For its privacy and retiredness from the busy scenes of the world; not liable to interruption. Its elevation above the surrounding country being emblematical of Christ’s purity and dignity, and also typical of Christ’s ascent up to Calvary’s summit, and his final redemption into heaven from the Mount of Olives. Notice,

III. The Season of Christ’s Transfiguration.

"After six days," that is, the succeeding evening, for there can be no doubt that it took place during the stillness and darkness of night. This would favor their separation from the other disciples and the people, and render the glory more striking and magnificent. It was often during the night that God manifested himself of old to the prophets; it was during night that Abraham was called to sacrifice his son, and that Jacob wrestled with the angel of the covenant; it was during night that Job had that vision which produced such striking effects upon him; and the blessed Redeemer often spent whole nights in fervent prayer to God. Then, notice,

IV. The devotional Exercise in which Christ was engaged when he was transfigured.

Luke particularly specifies, that as "he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered;" Luk_9:29. And it is also stated, that he took "James, and Peter, and John, and went up to a mountain to pray" This was his leading errand, his chief object. It is worthy of note, that Christ hallowed most of his engagements with prayer. Not that he needed it as a Divine person, for as such, he was heir of all things. But as our Mediator, and the example of his church, it became him to present a perfect pattern before them, that they might tread in his steps. Prayer was one of the leading features in his holy career. When he was baptized he pray ed, and thus sanctified the water of baptism; Luk_3:21. When he was tempted he prayed, and thus sanctified temptation Mat_4:1, &c., when he wrought many of his miracles he prayed, and thus sanctified miraculous gifts. When his soul was in an agony in the garden, he prayed, and sanctified affliction. When he was suspended on the cross, and was dying by cruel and murderous hands, he prayed, and thus sanctified persecution and death. When he ascended to his glory, while his sacred hands were lifted up over his disciples, he was parted from them, and a cloud received him out of their sight. And, now, in the holiest place of all, "He ever liveth to make intercession for us."

Application

We learn from this part of the subject,

1. The importance of retirement, meditation, and prayer.

2. The advantages arising from being Christ’s disciples’97such have fellowship with him, and behold his glory.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS