came into the world in the form of a man to die upon the cross of Calvary for sin. Those who receive Him as their Saviour become children of God. Those who refuse to believe upon Him are eternally lost. Whom do you say that Jesus is? Jan. 18, 1953 FROM VISION TO SERVICE Matt. 17:1-8, 14-18 Pointers on the Lesson In harmony with the emphasis of the entire book of Matthew this week’s les son gives us a glimpse of the King in His coming glory. Verse 28 of the preceding chapter ought to be con sidered before studying the content of the present lesson. It is unfortunate that there is a chapter division between chapter 16, verse 28, and chapter 17, verse 1. It takes the transfiguration scene to explain the words of 16:28. It was in the transfiguration experience that the some standing here of the latter verse saw in miniature “the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” Evidently the Lord intended us to see in it a kind of pre-vision of what things will be like when He comes in His glory. The Time of the Transfiguration 17:1 “ After six days” may well suggest the time which will intervene before our Lord returns to establish His King dom. “ Six” is man’s number. And the present age with our Lord away is pre-eminently man’s day. It is the time of man’s rule, wisdom, works, religion. But after man’s day God will have His day. It will be the day when Christ’s glory will be revealed and His will shall be done universally. The Place 17:1b Jesus “bringeth them up into an high mountain apart” suggests in miniature the very first act of our Lord when He comes the second' time. He will take His waiting people up into a high moun tain, the place of His house, away from a doomed world. The Nature 17:2 He “was transfigured before them.” A metamorphosis took place as the original word suggests. From His hu man appearance He was changed into the appearance of His glory. In advance, it was a picture of Him as He will be when His words of John 17:24 are ful filled: “ Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory.” What prospect lies before us! So powerful will the vision be that the saints of God will be transformed into the likeness of the Son of God (1 John 3 :2).
Heavenly Visitors 17:3
THE GOSPEL BELOW the BORDER
Moses and Elijah appeared in this scene. Their appearance suggests the truth that the godly of the Old Testa ment are to have part in the first and better resurrection, and we shall see them, as the disciples saw Moses and Elijah. Moses was a representative of saints who will share in the blessings of that day, having passed through death. Elijah represented those who will not pass through the shadow. Subject of Conversation 17:3 Moses and Elijah were “talking with him.” Luke tells us the subject of their conversation, namely, “his decease” (Luke 9:28-32). The children of God will never cease talking about the Cal vary experience. It will even be the theme of Heaven’s song (Rev. 5:9-14). Surely it will be prominent in discussion at the Second Advent. Jesus Only 17:4-8 The disciples had a high estimate of Christ prior to this time. But still it was not high enough. Thus it was that on the mountaintop every face faded from view and only Jesus could be seen (v. 8). In no sense must Christ be put on the same level with Moses, Elijah, or anyone else. This will be more fully realized in the day of His coming than ever before. Need in the Valley 17:14-18 While the Lord was on the mountain- top with His disciples, there was a case of desperate need in the valley below: a demon-possessed man. Men could not cure the disease. After the Lord has taken out of this world His own in the first phase of His coming, a lunatic world will be left behind. When He comes down from the mountain of His glory with His own, He will ac complish mighty works of healing and a demon-crazed world will feel the touch of His power. A practical lesson from this story is this: Mountaintop experiences should be followed by service in life’s “ valleys.” Memory Verse: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 17:5). Last week we talked about the dif ferent answers that people give to the question of whom Jesus Christ is. To day we shall see that a greater than Peter gave the correct answer, for God Himself said, “ This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!” One day the Saviour took His three most beloved disciples, Peter, James and John up into a high mountain awAy from the other disciples and away from T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S Helps For The Children God’s Beloved Son Matthew 17:1-9
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