(2) And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. (3) And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. (4) And there appeared, unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. (5) And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. (6) For he wist not what to say: for they were sore afraid. (7) And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. (8) And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. (9) And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead. (10) And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. (11) And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? (12) And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought. (13) But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
There doth not seem to be any connection in what went before, with what is here said of this wonderful scene of CHRIST's Transfiguration, since there was an interval of six days from the one to the other. But, no doubt, the glory must have been abundantly overwhelming. I presume not to enter into a description of what is not describable. In addition to what hath been offered in Matthew 17:1, etc. I would only beg the Reader further to remark with me, how frequently the LORD was pleased, both before his open manifestation, in substance of our flesh, and after he had publicly tabernacled among his people in human form, to make some special revelation of himself. Who that reads the frequent visits the LORD made to his Old Testament saints, sometimes in an human appearance, and sometimes in that of an angel, can doubt it. And what were all these, but as so many evidences how much he longed for the time of his accomplishing redemption to arrive? And what is it now, when by the influences of his blessed Spirit, he makes himself known to his people, as their Redeemer, Husband, and Surety; otherwise than he doth to the world? I beg the Reader not to overlook the special personal glory here manifested of CHRIST, as the GOD-Man Mediator. It was not the glory of the essential GODHEAD, which the SON of GOD possesseth in common with the FATHER and the HOLY GHOST; but it was the personal glory of the union of GOD-and-Man Mediator. And who shall describe this glory? No wonder the minds of the Apostles were overpowered, with the splendor of such a scene.
Though I cannot, because I dare not, attempt to enter far into the subject of CHRIST's Transfiguration, being above the present unripe faculties of the human mind to reach; yet I venture to suggest to the Reader, some few improving reflections, which arise out of the same.
And, First: I would have the Reader observe from it, the tenderness of JESUS in preparing the minds of his few faithful followers, for the humiliation which was shortly to follow. Yet but a little while, and he whom they saw encircled in glory, with a light, which dazzled their view, and overwhelmed their senses, would be nailed to a cross and die, like one forsaken of GOD and man. By this manifestation, the LORD prepared them for the wonderful change. Reader! do not fail to make your improvement of it also. Hath Jesus manifested himself to you otherwise than he doeth to the world; never lose sight of it. Blend the Transfiguration and the Cross; and behold CHRIST in both.
Secondly. Learn, like the Apostles, to make those special and glorious views of Jesus, the ground work of assurance, against these seasons which may be dark and discouraging. Peter never lost sight of this scene, to his dying day. 2 Peter 1:16-18. And John makes his knowledge of Jesus, the argument of comforting the whole Church. 1 John 1:1-3
Thirdly. Learn to consider this manifestation, of the glory of the GOD-Man in the Mount of Transfiguration, as a sample, of what shall be the glorified bodies of all the saints of GOD. If in JESUS dwelt all the fulness of the GODHEAD bodily, surely we may safely conclude, that our bodies, which are now the temple of the HOLY GHOST, shall become glorious in JESUS: for it is said, that he will change our vile bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body according to the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself. Philippians 3:20
Lastly, and above all. Let us never forget the preciousness and blessedness, of the testimony, given by JEHOVAH, in this transaction to the person, offices, and character of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Oh! what a confirmation is this, to all the great purposes of salvation, in the infinite dignity, worth, and excellency, of our LORD Jesus CHRIST. LORD grant that JEHOVAH's good pleasure, may be my good pleasure; GOD's chosen, my chosen; GOD's delight, my delight.