The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-11-20

GOu,
November 24.-The Trans figuration.
Mark 8. 2-13.
We have for our lesson today one
of the most striking incidents in the
life of Jesus while on earth AS we
learned in our lesson of last Sabbath,
Jesus had made the declaration to his
disciples that He was the Son of God,
but nevertheless He must undergo
trials and buffeting from His enemies
and the terrible ordeal of a death up
on the cross. To strengthen three of
His leading disciples, Peter, James
and John, He gave them glimpse of
His true self and the glory which was
His due.
The record of the TRANSPORTATION OF
Jesus is found, not alone in Marks
gospel, but in that of Luke and
Matthew. From these we learn that
Jesus took the three disciples just
named apart into a mountain where
He gave Himself over to prayer, and
the remarkable scene of the transfig-
uration took place. From the bible
verses We see the face of Jesus shown
as the sun and that His raimant be.
came white as snow, that there ap-
peared also to be talking with Him
two persons whom the disciples ident-
flied as being Moses and Elias. We
are told that they talked together of
His coming death and resurrection.
Not only was this great scene present
ed before the eyes of the disciples, but
hoe nd ;c, no
loved Son in whom am we'll pleased;
hear We him." 1t is little to be won,
dered at that the disciples fell on
their faces and were sore afraid. Jesus
told them to keep secret what they
had seen and heard until after He had
risen from the dead.
l have always felt that the reason
for the witnessing of the transfigura-
ton of Jesus by the three disciples
was not alone to strengthen them in
their confidence in Him, in view of the
coming crucifixion, but for us of this
day and the future generations. Jesus
was not poor Jewish peasant, wand
ering about through Palestine preach
ing new gospel, but the Son of God
here on earth to show that a perfect
life should be led by an individual and
to represent to us the true qualities
of the Almighty God. The entire bible
record shows the greatness, power,
the glory of God and of Jesus. 1t is
said that no man can look upon the
face of God and live. We remember
that Moses was not allowed to see the
glory of the God whom he SO worth
lily served, and that even his face was
so glorified after talking with God on
the mountain that he yelled it in the
presence of the people. Elijah heard
the still small voice but saw little
of the glory of God who spoke to him.
We catch a glimpse in the book of
Revelation of the power and glory of
Jesus. 1t is told how He shall come
with the cloud and all the earth shall
tremble before Him. We learn in the
gospel of the Son of God coming in
His glory with the angels with Him
to judge the earth. These glimpses
of the divinity of Jesus as gathered
from the TRANSPORTATION and other
verses of the bible should impress us
with His power and greatness and
that with such one for our friend
we cannot be moved. if we cling to
Him by faith in the trials of life.
While none of us can have the eX-
perience Of the three chosen disciples
in witnessing TRANSPORTATION OF
Jesus, yet many who have had long
christian experience feel that they can
point to times and places when their
souls were given a special uplift and
that they seemer nearer to an ap
probation of the true character OF
Jesus, the Christ. 1t will be remem
bered that Immediately after the
scenes told to us as to the mount, that
Jesus and His disciples descended to
the lowlands and He Immediately took
up His daily work of healing disease
and preaching. 1t is therefore not
necessary that we have mountain tor
experiences every day, but it is ex
pected that with these in remembrance
we do our full duty in representing
Christ before the world.
When we consider that we can see
Gods face and have share in this
glory, if we are faithful to Him. ii
should be reason for serving Him
daily in overcoming temptations and
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