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Chapter 46—Jesus Transfigured
This chapter is based on
Matthew 17:1-8
;
Mark 9:2-8
;
Luke
9:28-36
.
Evening was drawing on as Jesus called to His side Peter, James,
and John, and led them far up a lonely mountainside. They had
spent the day traveling and teaching, and the climb added to their
weariness. Soon the sun disappeared, and the travelers were wrapped
in darkness. The gloom of their surroundings seemed in harmony
with their sorrowful lives, around which clouds were gathering.
The disciples did not venture to ask Christ whither He was go-
ing, or for what purpose. He had often spent entire nights in the
mountains in prayer; He was at home with nature and enjoyed its
quietude. Yet the disciples wondered why their Master should lead
them up this toilsome ascent when they were weary and when He
too needed rest.
Presently Christ told them that they were to go no farther. Step-
ping a little aside from them, the Man of Sorrows poured out His
supplication with tears. He prayed for strength to endure the test in
behalf of humanity. He must gain a fresh hold on Omnipotence, for
only thus could He contemplate the future. And He poured out His
heart-longings for His disciples, that their faith might not fail. The
dew was heavy on His bowed form, but He heeded it not. So the
hours passed slowly by.
At first the disciples united their prayers with His, but after a
time they fell asleep. Jesus had told them of His sufferings, and
had longed to lighten their grief by an assurance that their faith had
not been in vain. Not all, even of the Twelve, could receive the
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revelation He desired to give. Only the three who were to witness
His anguish in Gethsemane had been chosen to be with Him in the
mount. Now His prayer was that they might witness a manifestation
that would comfort them in the hour of His supreme agony with
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