He Was Transfigured
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beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon” (
Deuteronomy
3:25
), was refused. The hope that for forty years had lighted up the
darkness of the desert wanderings must be denied. A wilderness grave
was the goal of those years of toil and heart-burdening care. But He
who is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think”
(
Ephesians 3:20
), had in this measure answered His servant’s prayer.
Moses passed under the dominion of death, but he was not to remain in
the tomb. Christ Himself called him forth to life. Satan the tempter had
claimed the body of Moses because of his sin; but Christ the Saviour
brought him forth from the grave.
Jude 9
.
Moses upon the mount of transfiguration was a witness to Christ’s
victory over sin and death. He represented those who shall come forth
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from the grave at the resurrection of the just. Elijah, who had been
translated to heaven without seeing death, represented those who will
be living upon the earth at Christ’s second coming, and who will be
“changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;”
when “this mortal must put on immortality,” and “this corruptible must
put on incorruption.”
1 Corinthians 15:51-53
. Jesus was clothed with
the light of heaven, as He will appear when He shall come “the second
time without sin unto salvation.” For He will come “in the glory of His
Father with the holy angels.”
Hebrews 9:28
;
Mark 8:38
. The Saviour’s
promise to the disciples was now fulfilled. Upon the mount the future
kingdom of glory was represented in miniature,—Christ the King,
Moses a representative of the risen saints, and Elijah of the translated
ones.
The disciples do not yet comprehend the scene; but they rejoice
that the patient Teacher, the meek and lowly One, who has wandered
to and fro a helpless stranger, is honored by the favored ones of heaven.
They believe that Elijah has come to announce the Messiah’s reign,
and that the kingdom of Christ is about to be set up on the earth. The
memory of their fear and disappointment they would banish forever.
Here, where the glory of God is revealed, they long to tarry. Peter
exclaims, “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.” The
disciples are confident that Moses and Elijah have been sent to protect
their Master, and to establish His authority as king.
But before the crown must come the cross. Not the inauguration
of Christ as king, but the decease to be accomplished at Jerusalem, is