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Jesus Transfigured
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one for Elias.” The disciples were confident that Moses and Elijah
had been sent to protect their Master and establish His authority as
king.
But before the crown must come the cross. Bearing the weakness
of humanity, burdened with its sorrow and sin, Jesus walked alone
in the midst of men. As the darkness of the coming trial pressed
upon Him, He was in loneliness of spirit, in a world that knew Him
not. Even His loved disciples had not comprehended His mission.
In the world He had created, He was in solitude. Now heaven had
sent messengers; not angels, but men who had endured suffering
and sorrow, and who could sympathize with the Saviour.
Moses and Elijah had been colaborers with Christ. They had
shared His longing for the salvation of men. Moses had pleaded for
Israel: “Yet now, if Thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot
me, I pray thee, out of Thy book which Thou hast written.”
Exodus
32:32
. Elijah had known loneliness of spirit, as for three years and a
half of famine he had borne the nation’s hatred and woe. Alone he
had fled to the desert in anguish and despair. These men had come
to commune with Jesus concerning His suffering and to comfort
Him. The salvation of every human being was the burden of their
interview.
Overcome with sleep, the disciples heard little of what passed
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between Christ and the heavenly messengers. They had not received
what God desired to give them—a knowledge of the sufferings of
Christ and the glory that should follow. They lost the blessing that
might have been theirs. Yet they were assured that all heaven knew
of the sin of the Jewish nation in rejecting Christ. They were given
a clearer insight into the work of the Redeemer. They were “eye-
witnesses of His majesty” (
2 Peter 1:16
) and realized that Jesus was
indeed the Messiah, recognized as such by the heavenly universe.
While they were still gazing upon the scene, “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.” As they heard the voice of God speak in awful majesty
that caused the mountain to tremble, the disciples fell smitten to
the earth, their faces hidden, till Jesus came near, dispelling their
fears with His well-known voice, “Arise and be not afraid.” The