Gold Nugget 208 - Understanding the Transfiguration

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      It may be asked – Why was it appointed that the Transfiguration should be witnessed by so small and select a group, and in so secluded a spot?  Why were not multitudes permitted to behold a spectacle so amazing in itself, and so fitted to bring conviction to the minds of all beholders?  Surely, it might be urged, no unbeliever, no caviler, could have withstood the evidence of our Lord’s authority which such a scene afforded!

      It is recorded that the leaders of the Jews, the Pharisees, asked from Jesus a sign from heaven.  This he refused them.  But he allowed three favoured friends to behold his glory, when the customary veil was in some measure withdrawn.  What is the explanation of this?

      It may be replied that it was not in harmony with the plans of our Lord Jesus to overpower the senses of the people with some irresistible display of supernatural power and glory.  This would not have been to secure a moral result by moral means.  Jesus would not have valued the admiration which was withheld from his moral character and his benevolent life, but which was accorded to the effulgence of celestial glory, striking all eyes with amazement.  But there was another reason for the limitation of the witnesses of our Lord’s transfiguration.  The highest revelations of God’s wisdom and holiness and love are for those only who are prepared to receive them.

      You may walk round the outside of a vast domain, a splendid palace; you may make the circuit of the walls, you may see the tree-tops shaken by the wind, you may catch glimpses of the loft roofs and towers of the lordly edifice.  But how little do you know the imposing palace and its enchanting environments!  If, however, you are permitted to enter the gates, to tread the stately gardens, to explore the mansion, to look through the library, to admire the sculptures and paintings, and, above all, to spend hours and days in converse with the choice spirits who make the abode their home, - then you can form a judgment, and cherish an appreciation which, so long as you were on the outside, you would never have been able to do.

      So with the knowledge of every high and pure and noble soul.  Such a one is only to be known by those who have sympathy with him, and opportunities of fellowship with him.  It cannot be otherwise than that the ignorant, the vulgar, the selfish, should misunderstand him. …

      It seems likely that when Jesus took with him only his three most intimate and congenial friends to behold his glory upon the holy mount, he did so because none others were sufficiently advanced in spiritual knowledge and appreciation to be capable of partaking and profiting by the privilege.  Even the bulk of his own twelve disciples would have been, at that time, out of place upon the Mount of Transfiguration.

      As for the scribes and Pharisees, and all the vulgar formalist who desired a sign, they had no spiritual eyes with which to see the vision which was then and there vouchsafed to three lowly fishermen, whose hearts the Lord had touched, and whoes sight the Lord had cleansed and quickened.

 

The Pulpit Commentary, Mark II p. 11, Mark 9:2-13 (J. R. Thomson)

     

Gold Nugget 208

Understanding the Transfiguration

 

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