September 11

PART II. — Luke 2:27.

HAVING noticed the witnesses, let us now secondly consider the place of Christ's transfiguration. The place was Mount Tabor. It is very remarkable how God has been pleased to select mountains as the scenes of some of the most important events that have transpired in our world. On Mount Ararat the ark of Noah rested, after having been tossed by the waters for more than six months. On Mount Moriah, Abraham typically offered his son Isaac. On Mount Horeb, God appeared to Moses in the burning bush. On Mount Sinai, God descended when he gave the law. On Mount Pisgah, Moses beheld the promised land, and on Mount Nebo, he expired by the mouth of the Lord. On Mount Ebal, Joshua built an altar to the Lord, and wrote upon stone the law of Moses. On Mount Carmel, the true God of heaven was magnified by Elijah, Baal confounded, and the false prophets destroyed. In reference to the events of Christ's life, it may be noticed, that on a mountain he preached his memorable sermon. On Mount Calvary he was crucified, and from Mount Olivet he ascended into glory. Mount Tabor was selected as the most appropriate for his transfiguration. No doubt, its elevation, retiredness, and solitude, were highly favourable to the glorious and august scene. The elevated mount seemed also to harmonize with that glorious exaltation which Jesus now experienced over the ordinary circumstances of his life. The season of Christ's transfiguration was night. Often during the night had God appeared to the patriarchs and prophets. Jesus had often spent whole nights in meditation and prayer, and now, during this silent season, is he transfigured, the surrounding darkness rendering his white and glorious appearance more striking and magnificent. What a scene! The world in darkness, and fast linked in the arms of slumber, and still faster bound by the fetters of guilt: and Jesus, the rejected of that world, conversing with heavenly intelligences, enveloped with light and splendour.