September 15

PART VI.—Matthew 17:1-8

Moses and Elijah not only descended to witness Christ's transfiguration, but also to hold fellowship and converse with him. Hence it is said, that

Moses and Elias were "talking with him." The subject of their conversation is happily revealed to us; for Luke says, they "spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem." The word employed in reference to Christ's death, is "decease," which signifies departure, and is supposed to allude to the dismissal of the scape goat, with the sins of the people on its head, into the wilderness for ever. Christ afterwards spake of his death in similar terms, when he said, "I go away," but "If I go away, I will come again, &c." Paul in like manner, looked upon his death as a decease or departure, when he said, "the time of my departure is at hand." Now this decease, Christ was to "accomplish;" now here Christ's death is spoken of as an active, and not a passive act. And this perfectly agrees with the facts of the case. For he "gave" his life, he "laid it down," he "yielded" up his spirit. No man had power to take it from him: he therefore had power to lay it down, and he had power to take it up again. And had not his death been his own free and active act, it could not have been acceptable as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. The decease was to be accomplished at "Jerusalem." Calvary had been appointed as the summit on which the cross was to be erected. Jerusalem was to be the city where the "fountain was to be opened for sin and uncleanness:" here he was to be tried, condemned, and put to death. But, it is said, they "spake" of his decease. Perhaps, of the necessity of it, to realize types, to fulfil prophecies, and to save the world. Perhaps of its influence, in spoiling the powers of darkness, destroying death, opening the tomb, and extending wide the portals of the heavenly city. Perhaps they spake of the rewards with which it should be followed, in seeing the prolonging of his days, the extension of his kingdom, the boundless travail of his soul, and the joyous acclamations he should receive from redeemed spirits, through the ages of eternity. How all-important to man was the death of Christ! What a theme for reading, for conversation, and for study! No wonder the apostle determined to know nothing else. Christ crucified, though foolishness to the Greeks, and a stumbling-block to the Jews, is to them that believe, both the wisdom and the power of God.