Washington telegraph., 1927-04-22
(Lesson Text-Ma-k 9:2-lO,
Peter 1:16-18)

Our lesson deals with a profound
mystery. 1t is better to recognize
this frankly in the beginning and 10
realize that it cannot be easily under
stood or explained.
A few days after Peters recoeni-
ton and declaration that Jesus was
the son of God three of the disciples
were selected for a new and qreat
| spiritual experience. On several i'm
portant occasions Peter, James, and
John were thus distinguished, prob
ably because they had the capacities
to receive the lessons designed.
On high mountain while Jesus
prayed we are told he was transfigu-
red" We have no means of pctur-
ing exactly what this means. but we
do know it came as a sign of the
highest religious attainment. lin hu-
man circles we have learned to fo,m
judgments as to character from facial
appearances, which shows how in life
today good deeds leave their rlar-
acterization on the countenance Of
man. So, Christ, pure, sinless, ard
close to the Creator, shined with a
strange brilliance noticed and mark
| ed by those who saw him.
With Jesus appeared Moses aud
Elijah, two gigantic figures to every
Jew, for it was Moses who established
and founded the law of Elijah who
courageously championed the cause
of Jehovah against the intrenched
forces of paganism. Law and pro-
phecy was symbolized in these ancient
and historical characters, and in their
appearances with Jesus the disciples
were told that these men were fore
runners of the Christ who was at that
time actively in their midst.
Fifteen hundred years had passed
since Moses's day nearly n thousand
since Elijah challenged the prophets
Of Baal. To earthly eyes they were
long dead, yet in showing them alive
and moving the great fact of life
beyond was being emphasized to these
three followers of Jesus. The Savior
taught the doctrine of life eternal,
in words direct as well as in parable,
but the disciples were to he reinfor-
sed in faith on this essential truth.
To strengthen the spiritual insight it
was given to Peter, James and John
to witness their leader in communion
with the eternal spirits.
Out of the cloud smoke the voice
of God. as it had done once before
and would do once again in the ljfe-
time of Jesus. There was to be no
doubt as to which one of the three
figures seen was to reval the Creator
to men. Although the law had been
proclaimed by Moses and the reality
of God demonstrated by Elijan in
times past, the divine voice instruct
ed the inner circle of the twelve that
in spiritual truth they were 10 "hear
Jesus. And, so. to men today the
great Creator is revealed most truth
fully by the teaching and example
of Jesus.
What wonderful lessons he left for
mankind, the climax of all perfection
as far as human mind and heart can
guage it. OF forgiveness, that 1t was
to be unlimited, that Gods love and
mercy would never be exhausted. Of
life. that it can be enjoyed TO its
fullest only by obeying the principles
of the kingdom of God. OF trouble,
that relief and solace can be found
by approach to him who said, "lct
not your heart be troubled" Of Geaih
that it was not the ultimate end Of
man but that in Christ was life cter-
nal and he had power over this re-
lentless foe. OF the hereafter that
there were many mansions prepared
for those who loved God and obeyed
his mandates to love, serve, a1d fol-
low his son.
Peter in years after could write
confidently to his followers of the
wonderful revelation of Gods glory
at the TRANSPORTATION. His record
was no "cunningly devised" fable but
the statement of an eye witness. SO,
also, could John. another such wit
ness, refer to this great episode IN
after years. The three earlier gos-
pels each related the story of Trans
figuration, although the meaning Of
if to the disciples themselves was not