The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-02
SUNDAY-SCHOOL WORK
CALCULATION AND REVIEW OF IN
TERNATIoNAL LESSON FOR Feb. 8.
The Transfiguration, ms Told I'm Luke
tx, 2S-3e-M0st Remarkable Single
Event In the Life of Jesus.

BY Rev. JAMES e. GILBERT. D. D.,
Secretary Of the American Society Of Re-
ligious Education.
(Students of these lessons are requested to
send to DR.. Gilbert, Washington. d. C.,
their Names denomination and postoffice
address for enrolment in the Office of the
society, mentioning this paper, that docu-
rents on Bible study may be mailed to
them.)
CONTEXT.-There is a very close connec-
ton between this lesson and that Of last
Sunday. The interview between Jesus and
his apostles. which ELECTED Peters confess
sion. closed with some valuable advice
Q1att. xvi. 2-2O, given by the Master. suit
able to the occasion. The events of the
week following were not recorded by the
evangelists. The inspired silence in the sa-
cred narrative is broken by the passage APP
pointed for our present study, in which, by
a different method. the themes of the great
confession come up again. but in new rela-
tons with greater emphasis.
MOUNTAIN NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. took
Peter, John and James Matthew and Mark
mention John last) apart from the other
apostles into a high mountain to pray. The
place was probably Mount Hermon, near
the scene of the last lesson. the loftiest
peak III IdieStiue. N1OuiildiuS udSS otlCA
been religious retreats. (Ex. XIX, 8; Matt
v. /; Rev. xxi. 1o) Anciently they were re-
garded as the dwelling place of the gods, a
superstition originating probably in the feel
ings of reverence there inspired psalm Xxi,
~ Jesus practiced and enjoyed solitary
prayer Mark ], 80; Matt. vi, 60,
but on this occasion He set an
example of associate prayer. Perhaps he
desired witnesses Oh Cor. xiii, d, or, posi-
bly,, this was His ideal of a prayer meating
Matt. xviii. 20) The three selected were
favored on other occasions. Matt. XVI, 3D.
They represented three types of character
and became leaders of three different
phases of Christianity. Each wrote a gos-
pei or was associated with a gospel writer
James with Matthew. Peter with Mark. AS
Luke was under the direction of Paul, who
also saw Jesus in His glorified state q Cor.
TX, u, it has been suggested that this was
Christ's method of preparing His biogra-
pliers and chief leaders. Second-While in
prayer the countenance and apparel of Jesus
became white and glistening. The original
word expressing the change, rendered trans
figured (Matt. xvii, p, indicates that the
glory was previously with Jesus. Nothing
was added to Him, but what had been con-
.cealed then manifested itself. His real
beauty appeared. Qsa. xxxiii, I'D Commune
ion with God on other occasions was marked
by similar, though less brilliant, displays.
(Ex lii, 2; xxxiy, 29)
INDUSTRIOUS VISITOR.-1. During this
prayer meeting Moses and Elias appeared,
their forms also lighted up and made beau
tiful, like the form of Jesus. The first
fourished at the beginning, the other in the
middle of the Levitical dispensation, pre-
ceding Jesus by fourteen and nine centuries,
respectively. Both had remarkable exper-
fences upon mountains, far distant from
this place. eek. xix, 20; L Kings xix, 81
Both departed this life in an unusual man.
ner. lDeut. xxxiv, 1; Kings, IL, % Their
names were reverently Joined by the later
prophets, as the two foremost characters
OF the former dispensation. (Mal. Nv, t. 81
This meeting reminds Us of the three and
the two who appeared to Abraham and
Lot. Gen. xviii, 1, 2; xix, IL Second-The
errand Of Moses and Elias is briefly stated.
They conversed with Jesus concerning His
decease at Jerusalem, the very theme over
mnaen Peter had STU b in a. the srecent
and the prophet of Israel esteem that a
matter of chief concern. It had been SO
which had been SO strangely missnterpreted
by the Jewish doctors. Now they show
that, while separated by many centuries,
they are in full accord on this momentous
topic, which is destined to become funda-
f. men col. n T. s. sse Rev Rew o. a.s isJ affar Such g Peter nTam !.
inence given to the theme who will speak
Lightly X Ct the pe sTSssg gal. VI, q =
the TRANSPORTATION the apostles fell asleep.
tVerse 322 Hence, some have inferred that
1t was night time. But the Slumber may
have been induced by the supernatural in
nuences, as on other occasions of Divine
p priv. ds'5 sat they II, "a av 1an- IN viii t;m IS; - na set
Jesus In the glory which He mad taken on
EEK. xxxiii, 10; lisa. TX, I; John |, IA; xvii,
"a, also to see Moses and Elias, probably
to hear the latter part of their conversation.
How they were recognized we are not in
formed. The apostles had missed much, as
sleepy Christians do, who enter a. meeting
at a late hour. Second-Awakening in the
midst Of this unearthly splendor, Peter
and proposed, with Christ's approval, to
make three tabernacles. one for Him and
outburss Of Enthusiasm and bewiiderment.
b1ess deslred to proiong the visit and the
have answered Peter as He did previously.
Matt: xvi. ID Unfortunate man! He was
when he might better have been silent, and
cherishing feelings out of harmony with
his Masters plans. This was not the time
for heavenly rest, but for labor and sacri-
fee. Eight days before Jesus had declared
Ills sufferings and death. Moses and Elias
have affirmed the same. And yet the fisher
man apostle would build booths and keep
his Lord from His mission and the guests
Of many now, centered in personal enjoy
ment. Peter must be delivered from such
IOtiULlS. buL now.
HEAVENLY MESSAGE First - While
the wosds were on Peters lips a cloud over
Swallowed the company. BY this manner ON
several occasions Gods approach had been
announced. ca. xiv, IS, %; Psalm xviii, IL;
isa. XIX, y; His unveiled presence could NOT
be endured. .second.out of the cloud came
a voice, saying, This is my beloved Son,
IN whom / am we'll pleased (Matt. xvii, 81;
hear we Him." Here IS a proclamation OF
Ghrists divinity, as 1T had been taught In
Scripture psalm ii, ., as Jesus him self con
fessed it John iii, 16l, and as Peter also had
declared it. (Matt. xvi, I6). The expression
Of approval was the same as that given al
the baptism. Matt. Iii, ~. But this was
preliminary to the injunction to hear Jesus
The design was to set Him forth as the au.
thoritative teacher in sacred things, prom.
ised aforetime Deut. xviii, Is, IS: lisa. iv, ~
superior to Moses and Elias. Heb- iii, s, g.
Jesus thus displaces the prophets and be-
comes the head of the new covenant. Third
The clouds and the voice frightened the
apostles who fell on their faces Matt. xvii
o.. an act of reverence among orientalists
Gen. xvii. -. Men who become conscious
or divine presence are generally seized with
fear Judges V, 2: Kill. %; Dan. X. 81, a most
natural and becoming emotion prov. /, z
on stich occasions. Fourti-But Jesus canrt