The Transfiguration
T. S. Doolittle, D. D. Matthew 17:1-13 And after six days Jesus takes Peter, James, and John his brother, and brings them up into an high mountain apart,… The necessity of having a few intimate friends upon whom one can rest in all the confidence of fraternal sympathy and love seems inexorable. Even our Lord sought such friends in Peter, and James, and John. 2. There was only one Transfiguration in the life of Jesus. Nor were all the disciples permitted to behold even that. This shows that the business of the Christian is hard work, and not the nursing of visions. Visions are rare, and sent only for the refreshment, not for the daily food of the soul. 3. Our nearness to the spiritual world and its supernal glories. Moses and Elias and the rest still continue to be interested in the plan of redemption, and in our personal relation to it. 4. Happy for us if, like Peter, we recognize the value of good company, and are ready to say when in it, "Lord, it is good for us to be here." 5. Glory and suffering are yoked together in this life. The Transfiguration is only a preparation for Calvary. 6. "Moses, Elijah, Jesus, the law, the prophets, the gospel; but the personal Christ is the centre, and the theme of all is the cross." And this will be the theme of the redeemed for ever. (T. S. Doolittle, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, WEB: After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves.