Transfiguration
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with rapture and awe. As they look upon the radiant form of their
beloved Master, they are obliged to shield their eyes with their hands,
not being able otherwise to endure the inexpressible glory that clothes
his person, and which emits beams of light like those of the sun. For a
brief space the disciples behold their Lord glorified and exalted before
their eyes, and honored by the radiant beings whom they recognize as
the favored ones of God.
They believe that Elias has now come, according to prophecy, and
that the kingdom of Christ is to be set up on earth. Even in the first
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glow of his amazement, Peter plans for accommodating Christ and the
ancient worthies. As soon as he can command his voice he addresses
Jesus thus: “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three
tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.” In the
joy of the moment, Peter flatters himself that the two messengers from
Heaven have been sent to preserve the life of Jesus from the fate that
threatens him at Jerusalem. He is overjoyed at the thought that these
glorious attendants, clothed in light and power, are to protect the Son
of God, and establish his kingly authority upon earth. He forgets for
the time the frequent explanations given by Jesus himself of the plan
of salvation, which could only be perfected through his own suffering
and death.
While the disciples were overwhelmed with rapture and amaze-
ment, “a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out
of the cloud which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased; hear ye him.” When the disciples beheld the awful cloud of
glory, brighter than that which went before the tribes of Israel in the
wilderness, and when they heard the voice of God peal from the cloud,
in accents of majesty that caused the mouth to tremble as if shaken
from its foundation, they could not endure the grandeur that oppressed
their senses, and fell smitten to the ground.
Thus they remained upon their faces, not daring to look up, till
Jesus approached and raised them from the ground, dispelling their
fears with his well-known, cheering voice, saying, “Arise, and be
not afraid.” Venturing to lift up their eyes, they see that the heavenly
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glory has passed away, the radiant forms of Moses and Elijah have
disappeared, the Son of God is no longer clothed with a divine radiance
so bright that the eyes of man can not endure it,—they are upon the
mount alone with Jesus.