What is Was the latest period of his history? Yes. the first event, in our Christian course, which we can never forget? The first secret and solemn surrender of the heart to God. Are there any other points in our experience to which the memory of a Christian fondly clings? Yes. What are they? The peculiar manifestations of God's love. Why should we record and review those manifestations? To invigorate our faith, and excite our hope. there not something heard, as well as seen, on the mount of transfiguration? Yes; "and behold a voice out of the cloud." Whose voice was it? See iii. 17. What were the last words which the Divine voice uttered? "Hear ye him." To whom did the voice speak? To the disciples. And whom were they to hear? The Lord Jesus Christ. What is meant by hearing Him? Paying devout attention to his doctrine, and obeying his commands. Why are we to hearken to the Lord Jesus? Because He is the Great Prophet, promised to the church.* What is a prophet? See i. 22. How was the Lord Jesus anointed to that office? 16. 6. Who heard the voice out of the cloud? disciples." How did it affect them? on their face and were sore afraid." See xvi. "The "They fell What made them fall on their face? A sense of the Divine majesty, and of their own frailty. Was the fear which they felt, a fear of reverence, or a fear of 7. Who dispelled it? Jesus. How did he dispel it? "Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid." Was there always a sovereign efficacy in the touch of the Lord Jesus Christ? Yes; the touch of the Saviour was healing, strengthening, and comforting. What effect flowed from his touch in the present instance? Comfort. 8. When the words of our Lord had diffused comfort through their minds, what did the disciples do? They "lifted up their eyes." Was the excellent glory still shining? No. Were Moses and Elias still on the mount? No; "they saw no man, save Jesus only." 9. What did our Lord and his disciples then do? They came down from the mountain." From what mountain? From the mountain on which our Lord had been transfigured. As they came down, what did Jesus say? "Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead." Why were they to keep this vision secret, until the Son of man was risen again from the dead? Because no one would believe their testimony concerning the glory of his transfiguration, till they were convinced of his resurrection. 10. In what state of mind were the three disciples when coming down from the mount? They were much perplexed on two subjects. What was the first subject that perplexed them? What the rising from the dead should mean.* Had they never *Mark ix. 10. been taught to expect that the Messiah would rise from the dead? No; they thought he would abide for ever, as an earthly king.* But was not the The sudden disappearexpect that Elias was Το resurrection of Messiah foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures? Yes.† How was it, then, that they did not understand what it meant? Because the doctrine of the resurrection was never taught by the Scribes. What was the other subject that perplexed the three disciples? ing of Elias. Did they come to remain on earth? Yes; they thought he had come to introduce the Messiah's kingdom. whom did they apply for the solution of their first difficulty, concerning the rising from the dead? To no one; they only talked about it among themselves.† Did they gain any light upon the subject? None at all. To whom did they apply for an explanation of their second perplexity? To the Lord Jesus. Did they obtain satisfaction on this point? Yes; our Lord explained it to them fully. What may we learn from this circumstance? To honour Christ in his character of Prophet or Teacher. How can we honour Christ in that character? By bringing all our doubts and difficulties to him, and asking him to teach us.]] How did the disciples introduce the conversation respecting Elias? "And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?" What is *John xii. 34. + Particularly Ps. xvi. 9, 10. Mark ix. 10. As did the Psalmist, Ps. cxix. 135, &c. &c, meant by his coming "first?" Before the reign of the Messiah. Who taught the Jews to expect the coming of Elijah? The Scribes. Who were the Scribes? See ii. 4. On what did they found their expectations of Elijah's coming? On the prophecy of Malachi.* Is it not a good thing, when founded on the word of God? Yes; if the word we rest on be rightly understood. Were the views of the disciples, concerning that passage in Malachi, quite correct? No; they mistook the person whom he foretold. our expectations are 11. What did our Lord then say to them? "Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things." What did our Lord mean by saying, "Elias truly shall come" ? That the prophecy which said so was true. What did he say was the design of Elias coming? To "restore all things." What things are meant? Those things which pertain to godliness. Why was this revival of religion to take place? To prepare the way of the Lord.t 12. Did our Lord say that this great improvement in the state of things had already begun? Yes; "But I say unto you that Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed." When our Lord said, " Elias is come already," did he refer to the appearance of that prophet on the mount of transfiguration? No; he referred to the life and ministry of John the Baptist. Who were they, that did not know John? The Jews. What is meant by the Jews not knowing him? They did not know that John the Baptist was the prophet foretold under the name of Elijah. What did they do to him? "Whatsoever they listed." What is the meaning of "whatsoever they listed" ? Whatever they chose to do. John? They had rejected his fered him to be put to death.t put to death? See xiv. 10. How had they treated By say of the treatment which he himself should receive? "Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them." What did our Lord mean by the Son of man suffering "likewise"? That he would have to experience the like cruel treatment, and to suffer death. whom would he thus suffer? See xvi. 21. 13. When our Lord had described his forerunner, as having come already, what is said of the disciples? "Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist." Had they not understood before, that John was the prophet foretold by Malachi, under the name of Elijah? No. But had not our Lord told them so, very distinctly, on a former occasion? Yes. How then do you account for their ignorance on this point? It arose from the habit of thinking wrong about it. Why did they not lay aside their false opinion as soon as they were taught what was right? Because it is as Matt. xi. 18. + Matt. xiv. 10. Matt. xi. 10-14. |