Chapter 28—The Transfiguration
As the time drew near when Jesus was to suffer and die, he was
more frequently alone with his disciples. After teaching the people
all day, he would repair with his disciples to a retired place and pray
and commune with them. He was weary, yet he had no time to rest,
for his work on earth was hastening to a close, and he had much to do
before the final hour arrived. He had declared to his disciples that he
would establish his kingdom so firmly on earth that the gates of hell
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should not prevail against it. Jesus, in view of his approaching trial,
gathered his disciples about him and opened their minds regarding his
future humiliation and shameful death at the hands of his persecutors.
The impulsive Peter could not for a moment endure the thought, and
insisted that it could not be. Jesus solemnly rebuked Peter’s unbelief
in suggesting that prophecy would not be fulfilled in the sacrifice of
the Son of God.
Jesus then proceeded to explain to his disciples that they also must
suffer for his name, bear the cross in following him, and endure a cor-
responding humiliation, reproach, and shame with that of their Master,
or they could never share his glory. His sufferings must be followed by
theirs, and his crucifixion must teach them that they should be crucified
to the world, resigning all hope of its pomp and pleasure. Previous
to this declaration, Jesus had frequently spoken to his disciples of his
future humiliation, and he had resolutely discouraged all their hopes of
his temporal aggrandizement; but they had so long been accustomed
to look upon Messiah as one who would reign as a mighty king, that
it had been impossible for them to relinquish entirely their glowing
expectations.
But now the words of Jesus were unmistakable. He was to live,
a humble, homeless wanderer, and to die the death of a malefactor.
Sadness oppressed their hearts, for they loved their Master; but doubt
also harassed their minds, for it seemed incomprehensible that the Son
of God should be subjected to such cruel humiliation. They could
not understand why he should voluntarily go to Jerusalem to meet
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