Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
On the mount Moses and Elijah appeared in glory with Jesus in close conversation about the death he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. They were sent by the Father as bearers of heaven's light to comfort and strengthen him for his coming agony. They were chosen rather than angels because they had known earth's trials and sorrow and shared his longing for human salvation, so they could sympathize with him. Their subject was not his enthronement as king but the suffering and death that must precede the crown and complete the plan of salvation for the world. The manifestation of his divinity and the honor paid him were also given to strengthen the disciples' faith to endure his humiliation and crucifixion without utterly failing, and in Moses raised from the dead and Elijah translated without dying they beheld in miniature the kingdom of the redeemed at his second coming.
Words and Setting
Moses and Elijah appeared in glory with Jesus on the mount and stood beside Him in close conversation with Him. What they spoke of was His decease to be accomplished at Jerusalem, His sufferings there and the completion of His mission there. Their visit placed His coming death in Jerusalem at the center, for it was part of the divine plan and the completion of His work, not an unforeseen defeat.
After a full day of teaching the people and healing the sick, Jesus took His three most devoted disciples out of the noisy town across the fields and up a steep mountain at sunset, seeking retirement from the crowds for meditation and prayer. The setting sun gilded the path and then night darkness gathered, while the disciples were weary and fatigued from toil, travel, and the ascent. Jesus prayed hour after hour with tears and importunity for strength to bear His afflictions and for grace for His disciples to bear the terrible trials awaiting them in His humiliation and death, having taken them to watch and pray with Him. The disciples at first united their prayers with His in sincere devotion but were overcome with weariness and loss of sleep and fell asleep. The transfiguration followed that night spent in prayer, showing communion with the Father preceding important work and trial.
There His glory, normally veiled by His humanity, shone through Him as He communed with the heavenly visitors. His face shone like the sun and His clothing became white and bright. His disciples saw as much of that glory as they could bear, and God acknowledged His Son and raised Him above humanity for communion with Him. The scene was a visible sign of His divinity and a symbol of His kingdom.
On the holy mount He received honor and glory from God the Father, and a voice from heaven declared Him the beloved Son in whom the Father was well pleased. That was the second time the voice of God was heard proclaiming Christ as His Son, the first being at His baptism and the third coming just before His betrayal when the Father again witnessed to His Son. This heavenly testimony stood in contrast to the cross where the voice from heaven was silent and no testimony in Christ's favor was heard while He suffered alone.
Elijah had been translated without seeing death, while Moses had died and been raised from the dead and glorified. Moses had been honored by speaking with God face to face, as a friend, and by seeing God's glory. His standing there fulfilled his prayer made centuries before to enter the inheritance of Israel, for he stood upon the goodly mountain within the heritage of his people, bearing witness to Christ in whom all the promises to Israel center.
Moses had been shown Christ's crucifixion at the cry of the Jews for His blood, Christ's agony on the cross, His burial in Joseph's new tomb, His coming forth as a majestic conqueror, and His ascension to heaven with a multitude of captives escorted by angelic hosts. He had been shown that he himself would be one of those attending the Saviour at His ascension to open the everlasting gates. The joy, glory and light that shone from his face at this no language can describe.
Comfort for Coming Death
Moses and Elijah were sent by God the Father as bearers of heaven's light and glory to Jesus on the mount to comfort and strengthen Him for His coming agony. What they spoke with Him about was His sufferings and the completion of His mission, especially the death to be accomplished at Jerusalem. Their visit brought Him heaven's glory and comfort as He faced that suffering.
God chose them for this converse instead of angels because they had experience in earth's trials, having known human sorrow and suffering and shared His longing for the salvation of men, so they could sympathize with Him in His trial. Elijah had represented Christ as a prophet, and Moses had led Israel in Christ's place under His direction and following it. Moses had been honored by speaking with God face to face as a friend and by seeing God's glory.
Their subject was not His enthronement as king but the death He must accomplish at Jerusalem, for the cross must precede the crown. His suffering and death were necessary to complete the plan of salvation and the divine plan of redemption, not an unforeseen defeat from which the heavenly visitors had come to save Him. The salvation of the world was the burden of their talk together.
The Father glorified Jesus at the transfiguration before His betrayal and crucifixion to strengthen Him for His last dreadful sufferings. That glory in advance upheld Him for what was coming.
His death was necessary for His own glory and the Father's glory, and so that the human race could share in that glory. The transfiguration was a visible sign of His divinity and a symbol of His kingdom, given to help understand His mission.
Witness to Strengthen Disciples
The appearing of Moses and Elijah in glory with Jesus, speaking of the death He would accomplish at Jerusalem, unveiled His divinity and set His shameful death within the plan of redemption to strengthen His disciples for His suffering. They saw Christ's glory and heard heaven's testimony to His divine character as the Son of God and promised Messiah, with Moses and Elijah paying Him homage, and this was strong proof meant to sustain their confidence through the sorrow and disappointment of His crucifixion. Jesus knew the grief and perplexity of His disciples over His coming suffering and death, and after a full day of teaching the people and healing the sick He took His three most devoted disciples out of the noisy town across the fields and up a steep mountain at sunset, seeking retirement for meditation and prayer, to give them additional proof of His Messiahship so their faith would not utterly fail in the severe ordeal to come. Weary and fatigued from toil, travel, and the ascent, while the setting sun gilded the path and then night darkness gathered, He prayed hour after hour with tears and importunity for strength to bear His afflictions and for grace for His disciples to bear the terrible trials awaiting them in His humiliation and death, having taken them to watch and pray with Him. The disciples at first united their prayers with His in sincere devotion but were overcome with weariness and loss of sleep and fell asleep. He pleaded especially that they might witness such a manifestation of His divinity as would forever remove unbelief and lingering doubts and comfort them in His supreme agony with the knowledge that He is of a surety the Son of God.
Their appearing in glory with Jesus, with His face lighted up with divine glory before a few of His followers, greatly strengthened the faith of the disciples so that in their coming bitter sorrow and disappointment they would not entirely cast away their confidence. Their appearance in heavenly glory and their witness to Jesus' divine identity were meant to strengthen the disciples to endure the humiliation and crucifixion that lay ahead for their Lord. Remembering what they had heard and seen there, the heavenly voice and revealed glory strengthening their faith that Jesus was the Son of God, helped them hold to that faith during His trial. This held true even though they could not believe that He would die.
The disciples missed this conversation about His death, which was necessary to complete the plan of salvation and not a fate from which the heavenly messengers would save Him. Seeing Moses and Elijah with the glorified Jesus, they wrongly hoped the messengers would protect Jesus and establish His kingdom on earth.
James, John, and Peter witnessed Jesus glorified at the transfiguration. James understood more fully at his own imprisonment and execution what Jesus had said about sharing His cup and baptism, that following Christ could mean suffering and death. In Gethsemane the disciples recognized the same glory as at the transfiguration and, seeing an angel present, believed God had taken charge of Jesus and would protect Him from His enemies.
Kingdom in Miniature Prophecy
The mount fulfilled the promise that some who heard Jesus would live to see the kingdom of God come with power. There the three disciples were shown Christ's kingdom in miniature, with Jesus clothed in heavenly glory, his face shining like the sun and his garments white and bright, and openly declared by the Father to be the Son of God. In that glory Moses stood for those who will be raised from the dead at Christ's second coming, while Elijah stood for those living at His return who will be changed from mortal to immortal and taken to heaven without dying.
In those two men the disciples thus beheld in miniature the kingdom of the redeemed gathered with their Lord. The glory then given to Jesus to strengthen Him before betrayal and crucifixion is also the pattern for God's faithful people, who will share in His spirit and glory in their final conflict as they are strengthened by the latter rain.
Redemption Truth Revealed
On the mount Moses and Elijah appeared in glory with Jesus and spoke with him about the death he would accomplish at Jerusalem, the completion of his mission and especially the suffering he would endure there. That shameful death was part of the divine plan of redemption and not an unforeseen defeat, and the scene revealed Christ's divinity. The glimpse of his glory was given to help the disciples understand his mission and to strengthen their faith so it would not utterly fail in the severe ordeal of his humiliation, suffering and death. Knowing their grief and perplexity over his coming suffering, he had taken his three most devoted disciples apart to give them additional proof of his Messiahship that would forever remove unbelief and lingering doubts and comfort them in his supreme agony with the knowledge that he is of a surety the Son of God. The heavenly visitors were sent to comfort and strengthen him for his coming agony, and his death was necessary for his own glory and the Father's glory and so that the human race could share in that glory.
What they talked of together was the reconciliation for iniquity and the everlasting righteousness which the Messiah brings in through his sacrifice, the same truth revealed to Daniel in answer to fervent prayer. The cross of Calvary is the great center, and this truth acted upon makes his sacrifice effectual. By the humiliation of the cross he was to bring everlasting deliverance to all who would walk after him, giving positive evidence that they are separated from the world. Through chosen agencies these purposes are made known so that the grand work of redemption goes forward.
The verse stands in Luke 9:26-62, which is to be studied to get its meaning. It belongs to the time when Christ was in the world reflecting light upon the people and was nearly to be taken from them, and he desired that they remember all he had said to them. Having the heart in full harmony with Christ and being intelligent in his work prepares for what is coming. Following on to know the Lord with continual increase of light prepares for the time when trials and persecutions will be everywhere.
Call to Serving Mission
The glory on the mountain belongs together with the descent to meet and restore the demon-possessed boy. The contrast shows the Divine One stooping from the Father's glory to save the lost. Redemption is thereby set before the disciples as their mission, to serve people in need rather than remain only in moments of spiritual illumination. Those who have beheld Christ's glory revealed on the mount are called to go down into the plain and help people enslaved by Satan through faith and prayer, for the glorious ascent stands appointed as an image for those called to holy service, urging strength, endurance, knowledge, love, toil and self-sacrifice.
On the mount Moses and Elijah appeared in glory with Jesus in close conversation about the death he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. They were sent by the Father as bearers of heaven's light to comfort and strengthen him for his coming agony. They were chosen rather than angels because they had known earth's trials and sorrow and shared his longing for human salvation, so they could sympathize with him. Their subject was not his enthronement as king but the suffering and death that must precede the crown and complete the plan of salvation for the world. The manifestation of his divinity and the honor paid him were also given to strengthen the disciples' faith to endure his humiliation and crucifixion without utterly failing, and in Moses raised from the dead and Elijah translated without dying they beheld in miniature the kingdom of the redeemed at his second coming.
Words and Setting
Moses and Elijah appeared in glory with Jesus on the mount and stood beside Him in close conversation with Him. What they spoke of was His decease to be accomplished at Jerusalem, His sufferings there and the completion of His mission there. Their visit placed His coming death in Jerusalem at the center, for it was part of the divine plan and the completion of His work, not an unforeseen defeat.
After a full day of teaching the people and healing the sick, Jesus took His three most devoted disciples out of the noisy town across the fields and up a steep mountain at sunset, seeking retirement from the crowds for meditation and prayer. The setting sun gilded the path and then night darkness gathered, while the disciples were weary and fatigued from toil, travel, and the ascent. Jesus prayed hour after hour with tears and importunity for strength to bear His afflictions and for grace for His disciples to bear the terrible trials awaiting them in His humiliation and death, having taken them to watch and pray with Him. The disciples at first united their prayers with His in sincere devotion but were overcome with weariness and loss of sleep and fell asleep. The transfiguration followed that night spent in prayer, showing communion with the Father preceding important work and trial.
There His glory, normally veiled by His humanity, shone through Him as He communed with the heavenly visitors. His face shone like the sun and His clothing became white and bright. His disciples saw as much of that glory as they could bear, and God acknowledged His Son and raised Him above humanity for communion with Him. The scene was a visible sign of His divinity and a symbol of His kingdom.
On the holy mount He received honor and glory from God the Father, and a voice from heaven declared Him the beloved Son in whom the Father was well pleased. That was the second time the voice of God was heard proclaiming Christ as His Son, the first being at His baptism and the third coming just before His betrayal when the Father again witnessed to His Son. This heavenly testimony stood in contrast to the cross where the voice from heaven was silent and no testimony in Christ's favor was heard while He suffered alone.
Elijah had been translated without seeing death, while Moses had died and been raised from the dead and glorified. Moses had been honored by speaking with God face to face, as a friend, and by seeing God's glory. His standing there fulfilled his prayer made centuries before to enter the inheritance of Israel, for he stood upon the goodly mountain within the heritage of his people, bearing witness to Christ in whom all the promises to Israel center.
Moses had been shown Christ's crucifixion at the cry of the Jews for His blood, Christ's agony on the cross, His burial in Joseph's new tomb, His coming forth as a majestic conqueror, and His ascension to heaven with a multitude of captives escorted by angelic hosts. He had been shown that he himself would be one of those attending the Saviour at His ascension to open the everlasting gates. The joy, glory and light that shone from his face at this no language can describe.
Comfort for Coming Death
Moses and Elijah were sent by God the Father as bearers of heaven's light and glory to Jesus on the mount to comfort and strengthen Him for His coming agony. What they spoke with Him about was His sufferings and the completion of His mission, especially the death to be accomplished at Jerusalem. Their visit brought Him heaven's glory and comfort as He faced that suffering.
God chose them for this converse instead of angels because they had experience in earth's trials, having known human sorrow and suffering and shared His longing for the salvation of men, so they could sympathize with Him in His trial. Elijah had represented Christ as a prophet, and Moses had led Israel in Christ's place under His direction and following it. Moses had been honored by speaking with God face to face as a friend and by seeing God's glory.
Their subject was not His enthronement as king but the death He must accomplish at Jerusalem, for the cross must precede the crown. His suffering and death were necessary to complete the plan of salvation and the divine plan of redemption, not an unforeseen defeat from which the heavenly visitors had come to save Him. The salvation of the world was the burden of their talk together.
The Father glorified Jesus at the transfiguration before His betrayal and crucifixion to strengthen Him for His last dreadful sufferings. That glory in advance upheld Him for what was coming.
His death was necessary for His own glory and the Father's glory, and so that the human race could share in that glory. The transfiguration was a visible sign of His divinity and a symbol of His kingdom, given to help understand His mission.
Witness to Strengthen Disciples
The appearing of Moses and Elijah in glory with Jesus, speaking of the death He would accomplish at Jerusalem, unveiled His divinity and set His shameful death within the plan of redemption to strengthen His disciples for His suffering. They saw Christ's glory and heard heaven's testimony to His divine character as the Son of God and promised Messiah, with Moses and Elijah paying Him homage, and this was strong proof meant to sustain their confidence through the sorrow and disappointment of His crucifixion. Jesus knew the grief and perplexity of His disciples over His coming suffering and death, and after a full day of teaching the people and healing the sick He took His three most devoted disciples out of the noisy town across the fields and up a steep mountain at sunset, seeking retirement for meditation and prayer, to give them additional proof of His Messiahship so their faith would not utterly fail in the severe ordeal to come. Weary and fatigued from toil, travel, and the ascent, while the setting sun gilded the path and then night darkness gathered, He prayed hour after hour with tears and importunity for strength to bear His afflictions and for grace for His disciples to bear the terrible trials awaiting them in His humiliation and death, having taken them to watch and pray with Him. The disciples at first united their prayers with His in sincere devotion but were overcome with weariness and loss of sleep and fell asleep. He pleaded especially that they might witness such a manifestation of His divinity as would forever remove unbelief and lingering doubts and comfort them in His supreme agony with the knowledge that He is of a surety the Son of God.
Their appearing in glory with Jesus, with His face lighted up with divine glory before a few of His followers, greatly strengthened the faith of the disciples so that in their coming bitter sorrow and disappointment they would not entirely cast away their confidence. Their appearance in heavenly glory and their witness to Jesus' divine identity were meant to strengthen the disciples to endure the humiliation and crucifixion that lay ahead for their Lord. Remembering what they had heard and seen there, the heavenly voice and revealed glory strengthening their faith that Jesus was the Son of God, helped them hold to that faith during His trial. This held true even though they could not believe that He would die.
The disciples missed this conversation about His death, which was necessary to complete the plan of salvation and not a fate from which the heavenly messengers would save Him. Seeing Moses and Elijah with the glorified Jesus, they wrongly hoped the messengers would protect Jesus and establish His kingdom on earth.
James, John, and Peter witnessed Jesus glorified at the transfiguration. James understood more fully at his own imprisonment and execution what Jesus had said about sharing His cup and baptism, that following Christ could mean suffering and death. In Gethsemane the disciples recognized the same glory as at the transfiguration and, seeing an angel present, believed God had taken charge of Jesus and would protect Him from His enemies.
Kingdom in Miniature Prophecy
The mount fulfilled the promise that some who heard Jesus would live to see the kingdom of God come with power. There the three disciples were shown Christ's kingdom in miniature, with Jesus clothed in heavenly glory, his face shining like the sun and his garments white and bright, and openly declared by the Father to be the Son of God. In that glory Moses stood for those who will be raised from the dead at Christ's second coming, while Elijah stood for those living at His return who will be changed from mortal to immortal and taken to heaven without dying.
In those two men the disciples thus beheld in miniature the kingdom of the redeemed gathered with their Lord. The glory then given to Jesus to strengthen Him before betrayal and crucifixion is also the pattern for God's faithful people, who will share in His spirit and glory in their final conflict as they are strengthened by the latter rain.
Redemption Truth Revealed
On the mount Moses and Elijah appeared in glory with Jesus and spoke with him about the death he would accomplish at Jerusalem, the completion of his mission and especially the suffering he would endure there. That shameful death was part of the divine plan of redemption and not an unforeseen defeat, and the scene revealed Christ's divinity. The glimpse of his glory was given to help the disciples understand his mission and to strengthen their faith so it would not utterly fail in the severe ordeal of his humiliation, suffering and death. Knowing their grief and perplexity over his coming suffering, he had taken his three most devoted disciples apart to give them additional proof of his Messiahship that would forever remove unbelief and lingering doubts and comfort them in his supreme agony with the knowledge that he is of a surety the Son of God. The heavenly visitors were sent to comfort and strengthen him for his coming agony, and his death was necessary for his own glory and the Father's glory and so that the human race could share in that glory.
What they talked of together was the reconciliation for iniquity and the everlasting righteousness which the Messiah brings in through his sacrifice, the same truth revealed to Daniel in answer to fervent prayer. The cross of Calvary is the great center, and this truth acted upon makes his sacrifice effectual. By the humiliation of the cross he was to bring everlasting deliverance to all who would walk after him, giving positive evidence that they are separated from the world. Through chosen agencies these purposes are made known so that the grand work of redemption goes forward.
The verse stands in Luke 9:26-62, which is to be studied to get its meaning. It belongs to the time when Christ was in the world reflecting light upon the people and was nearly to be taken from them, and he desired that they remember all he had said to them. Having the heart in full harmony with Christ and being intelligent in his work prepares for what is coming. Following on to know the Lord with continual increase of light prepares for the time when trials and persecutions will be everywhere.
Call to Serving Mission
The glory on the mountain belongs together with the descent to meet and restore the demon-possessed boy. The contrast shows the Divine One stooping from the Father's glory to save the lost. Redemption is thereby set before the disciples as their mission, to serve people in need rather than remain only in moments of spiritual illumination. Those who have beheld Christ's glory revealed on the mount are called to go down into the plain and help people enslaved by Satan through faith and prayer, for the glorious ascent stands appointed as an image for those called to holy service, urging strength, endurance, knowledge, love, toil and self-sacrifice.