The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 182

God are very precious, but very, very sacred. They are not to be thoughtlessly -0.ivulged; not to be talked about commonly; they are too deep and holy. Free talk on such subjects tends to produce spiritual pride in some, irreverence in others. The true Christian will speak of these blessed tastes of God's graciousness only to the like- rninded, and that with deep humility and godly fear, mingled with devout thankfulness. 2. Elias. The apostles had much to learn and much to unlearn. They could not understand "what the rising from the dead should mean" (Mark ix. 10), though Christ had twice before spoken of his resurrection on the third day. They were much perplexed also about the appearing of Elijah. Could this transient manifestation which they had just seen be the coming of which they had so often heard from the rabbis? '.l.'he name of Elijah was often on the lips of the Jews, as indeed it is still. When he comes (they said) he shall restore all things. He shall bring back the pot of manna. nnd the rod of Aaron, and restore Israel to its ancient glory. It was true, the Lord said, that Elijah was to come. But he had come; and they who had so long expected him knew him not when he came, but treated him according to their own evil will. Then the apostles felt that the Lord had spoken of him who had gone " before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a. people prepared for the Lord." The forerunner of the Christ had met the martyr's death; Christ himself would soon be called to suffer. The Lord sought to draw the thoughts of the apostles from difficult and perplexing questions to what now lay in the near future-his sufferings and death. We cannot think too much on the cross. Difficult matters of controversy may be of great interest, but they do not bear very closely upon the salvation of our souls. Let us keep the cross before our thoughts; let us try to realize its awful and blessed meaning by constant and ea.meet meditation. LESSONS. 1. It is good for us to be sometimes alone with God; use such seasons of solitude for prayer and meditation. 2. We need a transfiguration, a transformation of the heart and will; pray earnestly for it. 3. Moses and Elijah talked with Christ of his decease; we should commune with him on that same blessed and awful subject. 4. Flee from spiritual pride ; humble silence is better than presumptuous talk. Vere. 14-21.-17ie maniac boy. I. THE FAILURE OF THE NINE Al'OSTLEs. 1. 17ie descene from ehe moune. The morning had come, and the Lord with the three chosen apostles came down from the Mount of the Transfiguration to rejoin those whom he had left behind. As he drew near to them he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them (Mark ix. 14). It was a strange contrast. He had just left the peace of the mountain-side and the glory of the heavenly radiance. He came down to the jealousies, the controversies, the miseries, of earth. His presence was much needed ; the nine apostles had experienced a sad defeat. Tbey had received from him power to cast out devils; but now they had attempted, and had failed. Their Master had left them; he had taken with him the three who were nearest to himself. The faith of the nine had perhaps been weakened by the excitement, the agitation, the distressing predictions, of the last few days. So Aaron had failed in courage and in faith when Moses and Joshua were absent on Mount Sinai, and he was left in charge of the congregation. The apostles had failed now. The scribes were probably exulting over their defeat, arguing, perhaps, that this was a thing which neither they nor their Lord could do. Ah I we are helpless if we have lost our faith; we cannot cast out the evil one. Without Christ we can do nothing. 2. The meeeing with the nine apostles. The Lord was come at last. He approached the scene of conJusion with his wonted dignity. Perhaps some traces of the radiance of the Transfiguration still lingered round him. The people were greatly amazed, St. Mark tells us, when they beheld him; but they were not terrified like the Israelites when tbe face of Moses shone on his descent from Sinai. The Lord did not hide the glory of his countenance; it attracted, it did not repel. The people ran to b im and saluted him. So we should run to Christ in our troubles; so we should salute him. He comes to help his chosen in their weakness. When we feel that he is near, we are amazed at our own want of faith, at his glory and power and forgiving love. II. THE MmACLES. 1. The father. The Lord's coming brought confidence to the perplexed disciples, hope to the disappointed suppliant. In that presence the miserable  186 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [cH. xm. 1-27.