The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 1 — Section 267

he bec0mes 11 ~artyr. for the faith and lays down, as these disciples did, hie lifo for J ems, he fin<ls 111 an immortal fnture of further dedication all bis best beina cnrrie,l f11rwerd. Death may cripple him in working powers here, but promotion aw"'nite him bcyoud the shadows, and he finds that" be is-himself again" after the death-experience is 0,·er. Jesus th11s presents the ce.se in the proper light-self-sacrifice is real salvation q/ self if our self-sacrifice is for the sake of Jesus. III. 'l'HE PRIVATE GLIIIIPSR OF GLORY. (Vers. 28-36.) Eight days after the noble confe~ion of Christ by the disciples, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John uo to II moun- tain-top, that he might have another sea.son of prayer. '!'hough so blLiy, be never became prayer less. A most useful lesson I And here we have to note: 1. '!'hat trans- figuration came throo,gh prayer. (Ver. 29.) There is nothing changes people's appear- ance so suddenly and so satisfactorily as being on the mountain-top of prayer. Jesus in transfiguration-glory is but a type of his peo1ile who comti radiant from the secret places too. If there were more prayer on the part of Goo's people, there would be more transfiguration and less scepticism about its efficacy. 2. Transfigured ones are attractive to the heavenly world. (Vers. 30, 31.) Moses and Elias from their abodes of bliss are but indications of a perpetual interest in transfigured men. A ntiw star is not more attractive to the astronomer than is a transfigured and radiant soul to the inhabitants of heaven. And further, the decease to be accomplished at Jerusalem is the supreme topic with the men from the heavenly city. For to this did the Law and the prophets point, and in the abodes of bliss other interests have not superseded this. If the cherubim were represented as gazing rapturously upon the mercy-seat and its baptism with blood, so may we believe the whole society out of which Moses and Elias came concentrate their interest upon the salvation which comes through the death of Jesus. 3. Transfigured ones attract attention from the inhabitants of earth. (Ver. 32.) The disciples had fallen asleep, but the glory awoke them, as a candle will when brought before a sleeper. They saw the Master's glory, and Moses and Elias at his side, and they regarded the Messianic kingdom as having in this triple glory dawned. 4. There is a natural desire to retain the rapturous vision. (Ver. 33.) As soon as the disciples became watchful witnesses, Moses a□ d Elias appear to have moved away. 'l'heir converse has now been interrupted by unspiritual auditors, and so they prepare for their departure. It is in these circumstances th11t Peter proposes to retain the visitoI"B by making "tabernacles" in the mount. With such a reinforcement, he thiuks, as Moses and Elias, in radiance bright, the victory of Messiah will be assured. It is thus we dream. We read the history of the heroes who are gone, and we imagine that if we were only reinforced from the past we should be triumphant all along the line. Their spirit and their history may well inspire us, but they cannot take_ our burden. 5. The rapture may pass away in cl,oud, but Jesus abides with us for ever. (V ers. 34-36.) There can be little doubt about this bri:,(ht cloud being the Shechinah.1 It came to indicate the true manifestation of God in the incarnate Son, and to with- draw the possible competitors. The disciples feared as they entered the cloud. But a gracious paternal voice assured them, " This is my beloved Son: hear him." And when the cloud cleared away, they saw no ma□, but Jesus only. 'l'o the teaching of Jesus consequently, they would yield intenser attention. Besides, they kept it secret what 'they had seen. It was one of those glorious visions which could not wisely be yet revealed. Let 1lil enjoy Jesus, no matter how rapturous associations may fade away.-R. M.. E. Vers. 37-62.-The w:ret of sucussful work. We saw that the Transfiguration was the result of prayer; but it was not the end of the prayer. Thie was preparation for further service. The glory is not the end, but only an incidental accompaniment, of devotedness of spirit. It is work for Goo, further service in his kingdom, which is the aim of all means of grace. And now these verses bring out in different aspects the stcret of successful work. Let us notice-- 1 SuccESSFUL WORK MUST BE PRAYERFUL. (Vere. 37--42.) We have hereacaseof failure on the part of the nine dii;ciples, and of succes~ on the part of th~ descended Christ. The difference between the two cases was that Chnst had been praymg on the moun- tain while they had been prayerless in the valley. Prayerlessness and po\fedessnees 1 Of. Amdt's 'Leben Je11u,' vierter theil, a. 112. t'n. 1x. 1-02.] TUE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO BT. LUKE. Zfi9