[March 29th, 1863.]
Different modes of interpretation. 1. The historical. 2. The naturalistic. 3. The symbolical. 4. The mythical. The first is the only one which can be admitted. The character of the narrative and the character of the gospel history forbid any other explanation.
I. The facts of the case.—1. Not a change of figure, but a change of state and appearance of the same figure.
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Not a mere illumination of Christ’s body, but a change in it, from its ordinary to an extraordinary state, so that it was refined and glorious as the sun. It was not a change of substance. Charcoal and diamond, flint and glass, are examples of the different states of same substances.
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His garments themselves were changed, or merely illuminated.
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Moses and Elias were really present in body, and they really talked with Jesus audibly and intelligibly to others.
Theophanies and manifestations of angels under the Old Testament dispensation. Mode of presence. Why they rather than others.
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The cloud and voice, and what the voice uttered.
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The effect on the disciples.
II. This was not a dream; nor a vision such as the prophets had. Much less a mere illusion, such as the sights seen in delirium, or in a somnambulistic state. But a real occurrence. Christ, Moses and Elias were actually present.
III. Cause of this change and of these occurrences.—Not natural causes alone. Not divine power through second causes. But the immediate efficiency of God.
IV. Design of this manifestation.
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To prove that Christ had power over his own life. To him death was not a necessity of nature. His sacrifice was a voluntary one.
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To prepare his disciples for the great trials which were before them.
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To manifest his glory and attest his divine mission.
V. What this solemn scene teaches.
First, Concerning Christ.
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His divinity. a. As a manifestation of his glory. Peter says, “we were eye-witnesses of his majesty.” , (megaleiotes) the word for majesty, is used in the New Testament only of God, with the single exception of being once applied to Diana in a heathen sense. It proved Christ to be God. b. This proved also by the recognition of him as the Son of God by the voice out of the cloud.
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The unity of his person. It was the (Theanthropos); God manifested in the flesh.
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It teaches and attests his divine mission.
Second, Concerning the intermediate state. It teaches the conscious individual existence of the soul after death. Moses and Elias appeared as individual men.
- It seems also to teach that the souls of the departed have a knowledge of the state of the Church in this world, and are interested spectators of its progress.
Third, As to the future life.
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It is a revelation of the nature of the resurrection body, which is to be glorious, identical with the present body and capable of recognition.
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That there can be and will be in the future life not only recognition but intercourse.
The two great duties which the Transfiguration of Christ should impress on us are,
- To regard and reverence Jesus Christ as the Son of God, as God and man, infinitely, glorious and lovely. 2. To obey him. Hear ye him. Receive as true all he says. Believe his doctrines. Rely on his promises. Obey his precepts.
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