SON OF MAN II. TRANSFORMED IN PRESENCE OF HIS OWN.

Mark described the clothes of the Lord Jesus on transfiguration mount as ‘they became shining, exceedingly white, like snow such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.’ (9:3) This differed from the Lord’s usual appearance, of which it is said, ‘When we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire HIM.’

Note the remarkable response of the three disciples, for ‘ When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were greatly afraid.’ (v6) No star-gazing or leisurely gazing around for they were in the immediate Presence of the Father and Son. Fear paralysed them, grovelling in the dust. Right through Scriptures, men and women in His sovereign Presence hid their faces in the sand. We have light-heartedly dismissed the majestic Lord as if He were a puppet or token head. He is LORD.

In royal fashion, ’Jesus came and touched them.’ They felt the gentle touch of Him who is the Son of God and as they had heard the Father say, ’My beloved Son.’ This touch confirmed the humanity of the Lord Jesus. Perfect God and perfect Man.

Prime Minister Daniel experienced a similar touch from his Lord, (10:10 )’His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, His eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze; the sound of His words like the voice of a multitude. I, Daniel, alone saw the vision. But a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide. I was left alone when I saw this great vision, no strength remained in me, for my vigour was turned to frailty in me. Yet I heard the sound of His words. I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. Then suddenly a hand touched me. Which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. ’ This exalted minister responded to the touch of the Lord: exactly as we do.

Authoritatively, the Lord urged them to ’Arise, be not afraid.’ The same Lord cried out to His terrified disciples when they saw Him walking on the Sea of Galilee.

“Is is I.( I AM ) B e not afraid.’ He calms the trouble waters of our spirit. Peter, James and john discovered Christ’s deep ministry of calming fear; quelling the torrent of fear that may grip us.

Dulcie visited the vascular surgeon with possibility of an amputation of her right leg. We talked together in the hydrotherapy pool, quietly praying that the Lord would calm her grieved spirit; and prepare her for the surgeon’s decision. In the same session, Ron the former Commando relaxed, preparing for major surgery within a few hours. Resting my arm on his broad shoulder, we appealed to the Lord of glory, beseeching wisdom for the anaesthetist, skill and endurance for the surgeon, discretion for the transfuser - calm to Ron and his beloved wife. God kept Ron.

Our Lord Jesus says, ‘Fear not. I am with you.‘ Precious, comforting Saviour.

‘They spoke of His exodus, (decease) which He should accomplish. Moses’ exodus was the incomparable deliverance of 2 ½ million Israelites from brutal slavery. Elijah delivered God’s people from the apostasy of false prophets. However, at Calvary, our Lord liberated countless millions out of every culture and age from the disastrous power, presence and penalty of sin. This dominated heaven’s discussions as on this transfiguration mount. Paul wrote, ’God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Teach and preach His death.

J. Sidlow Baxter referred to the two witnesses in his excellent ’Awake my heart.’

‘When the women came very early in the morning to the tomb of Christ, they found the stone rolled away, yet they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.’ ’They were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then as they were afraid, and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, ’Why do you seek the living among the dead? HE is not here, but is risen! Remember how HE spoke to you in Galilee, saying ’The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful me, be crucified, and rise again. Surely, they remembered their words.’ Were these two men Moses and Elijah?

They reappear at the breathtaking ascent of our Lord. Luke wrote, ‘When HE had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. While they looked steadfastly towards heaven as HE went up, behold two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was taken from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven. ‘ (Acts 1:9-11) The two men spoke of His astounding ascent and prophesied of His surprising rapture ( or second coming ), consistent with their mount experience.

In Revelation 11, ’I will give power to My two witnesses, ad they will prophesy.’

‘These have power to shut heaven (Elijah’s prayer),that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with plagues. (Moses in Egypt) Two men are clear.

.

We congratulate Peter on his defence of our Lord in 2 Peter 1:17,18.’ We did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.’ He vividly recalled the time on that mount with the Lord of glory. He could never forget His splendour.

He then remembered how ’God the Father conferred honour and glory upon Him, when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent glory, ’This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.’ The Father lavished respect and showered brilliance on His dear Son. Time could not erase what Peter heard when the Eternal One spoke.

When the Lord touched the three men, ‘They lifted up their eyes, and saw no man save Jesus only. (Matthew 17:8) Excellent theology demands that our Lord fills our entire vision. Moses and Elijah had returned to their eternal home. Peter, James and John now understood the sacrifice of their Lord was imminent.