September 13

PART IV.—Matthew 17:1-8.

WE have already adverted to the witnesses, the place, the season, and the exercise in which Christ was engaged, when his transfiguration took place. Let us now consider the transfiguration itself. The change which passed upon the Saviour, related, I.—to his person. His person became luminous, majestic, and glorious. He appeared no longer to dwell in an earthly tabernacle, but to be irradiated with beams of effulgent light and splendour. Most likely he appeared in that glory which he now possesses before the throne of God. That glory which overwhelmed Saul of Tarsus, and which caused John in Patmos, to fall as one dead before him. Then his transfiguration included the splendour of his countenance. "His face did shine as the sun." It is said of Moses, that when he came from the mount, the people could not look upon his irradiated face. But his glory was but evanescent, communicated, and the result of converse with Deity. But Christ's glory, like the sun's, was underived, his, was his own essential glory which he had with the Father before the world was. How inconceivably resplendent must that light be, which is to illumine the whole celestial world by its eternal rays! Then Christ's transfiguration also respected his apparel. His garments were "white as light," "exceeding white as snow." His garments were not symbolical of war, terror, and destruction, but of holiness, blessedness, and peace. When Daniel beheld him as the Ancient of Days, "his garments were white as snow." When John saw him in his vision, "his head and hair were white as snow." And when he shall judge all nations, he shall appear on a "great white throne," before which, the heavens and earth shall flee away. Such were the effects produced upon Christ by his transfiguration, doubtless a representation of his dignity before he assumed a servant's form, and also of that glory which he should possess through eternal ages, when he had finished the work which had been given him to do. That work he did finish, on that glory he has entered, and all true believers are joint-heirs with him, and if they suffer with him, they shall also be glorified together.

"Him eye to eye we then shall see,

Our face like his shall shine,

O what a glorious company,

When saints and angels join!"