The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-11-22
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER "a
THE TRANSPORTATION.

confession Is connected closely Win
the lesson for today. There is no rec
ord of the intervening six days" We
are left to surmlse what Of fear and
perplexity filed the minds of the dis
ciples after listening to the words Of
Iesus found in Mark S:S4 and 81.
These words must certainly have
filled them with doubt and dismay.
As if to meet this condition of mind
Jesus takes Peter, James and John,
those three partners In business, who
were also present In the home of
Jairus, and later went with him into
the garden, and withdrew to a u
tain, probably Mt. Hermon. Here he
was transformed, lie, metamorphosed,
completely changed in appearance;
read carefully the parallel accounts.
Paui's Inspired Words.
Joined with Jesus there stood
Moses the law-giver and Elijah the
great reform prophet. What a CON.
mentary as to the interest of heaven
in a dying Messiah and in the glory
of that death.
We need to read Paul's inspired
words phil. $3.50 In this connec-
ton. He who thought 1t not a prize
to be grasped after to be equal with
God, yet took upon himself the form
of a slave and was made in the habit
or fashion Of a man. Upon the noun
tain Jesus reversed the figure and the
"servsnt"--the Son of Man revealed,
e. g., showed forth, the glorious ap-
pearance of the Son Of God. The dis
ciples there caught a faint glimpse Of
that glory which he had with the
Father before the world was John
1870. But the work Of redemption
wal not yet accomplished, and SO
once more he turns back upon that
glory. Small wonder, though, that as
they beheld these heavenly visitors
Peter should exclaim: Rabbi, 1t is
good for us to be here; let us make
three tabernacles (booths), one for
thee, one for Moses and one for Eli
jah." Notice, however, that Peter
spake "for he wist not what to say"
". 81. Mark alone records these
words, and Mark largely received his
gospel from Peter. Peter should have
kept still. Some revelations are too
sacred for speech. Paul had such a
one. But while the mount of vision 10
glorious, Jesus knew the need Of crys-
talizing that vision In the lives Of
those in the valley below. There was
work yet to be done wv. ID, 15). Luke
tells US that the TRANSPORTATION came
AS he was praying" So even yet
there is no greater transferring and
transforming power than prayer.
Moses and Elijah appeared in glory"
whereas Matthew tells us that his
face did shine as the sun" (l7:2)s
This was not a reflected glory, but
the outshining from within.
Three Heavenly Voices Heard.
We have only to read Q Peter, lie
IS to answer any question as to thif
being a vision In the modern accept.
ance Of that term. We are also told
that the word vision" found in verso
0 Of the lesson can be translated
things SEEN" Indeed the disciples
we're fully awake" duke 9:32 r. W.
The question as to how the disciples
could recognize Moses and Elijah
whom they had never seen, is not at
all difficult for the believer. They ap-
peared in glory and when the glory
was withdrawn they saw no man
save Jesus"
This also serves to help answer the
qaestion, Shall we recognize in glory
those whom we have lost awhile?"
Three heavenly voices were heard.
Jesus voice In prayer, his compan-
ions conversing of that great event
yet to be accomplished (Luke 9:31)
and the voice of God, This is my be-
loved (only begotten) Son; hear him."
What matters the opinions of earth's
greatest lawyers and prophets, or the
suggestions of our dearest friends,
Hear him." That Is the crux Of The
heavenly message: Hear him." as
teacher, observe him as ar example,
accept him as Saviour and obey him
as Lord and Master.
Fear fell upon them and they fell
upon their faces in humiliation, but
with tender compassion Jesus said
arise and be not afraid" 1t almost
seems like a rebuke to Peter, who had
so freely protested against the sugges-
ton Of the manner of his death.
Jesus TRANSPORTATION and the words
of his companion, as well as the COM
mand Of the Father, we're a vindica-
ton of his authority and a revelation
IN advance OF the supreme wonder OF
the cross, Arising they saw no mar
save Jesus" 1t is far better to see
him. than to see, hold converse with,
or have communion with, the great
est Of earth, past or present.
2. The descent, v. 9:13.-As they
descended from the mountain Jesus
charged them to tell no man. Very
dlfferent from u modern method.
But the need is clearly shown as we
read Peters words u Peter. 1.15-21).
Peter places great emphasis upon the
Importance Of this experience. declar-
Ing himself as an eyewitness Of his
majesty" as we'll as the honor and
glory" Peter and the others could
not talk ~intelligently OF this expert
ence until after Christ's work was
finished upon Calvary. indicated at
the tomb and glorifed on the day of
pentecost. Hence they kept that
saying with themselves" obeying his
Injunction Of silence. On the return
they caught some word about his ris-