CHAPTER XVIII.

THE TRANSFIGURATION.

Six days after the preceding conversation, Jesus took Peter, James, and John, into a high mountain, apart from the other apostles and disciples, and was transfigured before them. We are not told precisely what this transfiguration was; but his face shone as the sun, and his garment became white as the light: Moses and Elijah also appeared talking with him. It seems to have been a vision of the future life, when our mortal bodies shall be changed for immortal bodies; and when we shall be able to converse with those who have already died, because our mode of existence will be like theirs. It is an animating thought. Do we not earnestly long to converse with the wise and good who have gone before us to heaven? Will it not be so if we diligently strive to follow them? Is not the transfiguration on the mountain intended to teach us at what high things we may aim, what noble hopes we may indulge?

Peter and the other apostles felt what a privilege it was to see what they saw; and they said,' It is good for us to be here.' Yet they were struck with wonder and fear, and Peter proposed that they should erect three tabernacles, or tents of boughs, one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While they were thus in confusion of mind, doubting what it all meant, a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.' They were afraid when they heard the voice, and fell on their faces. Jesus came and touched them, and said, 'Arise, and be not afraid.' And when they lifted up their eyes they saw no one except Jesus. As they came down from the mountain, he desired them not to tell any one what they had seen, until the Son of Man, as he commonly called himself, was risen from the dead. They did not know what this meant; but they obeyed his command, and were silent concerning the vision and the voice of God.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE LAST JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM.

JESUS knew that this journey would end in his death; but he looked beyond death, and therefore set forth, with firm determination to do and to suffer all that was appointed him. He sent some of his disciples on before to prepare the necessary entertainment, at the places where he must stop in his journey. They went for that purpose into a Samaritan village; but the people would not receive him because he was going to Jerusalem. James and John wished, therefore, to call down fire from heaven to consume them, as Elias did: but Jesus turned and rebuked them, saying, 'Ye know not what spirit ye are of.' And they went to another village. Thus has Christ left an everlasting testimony against both bigotry, and persecution of men for their bigotry. The Samaritans were bigoted; the disciples would have destroyed them for it to the bigotry Jesus opposed only patience; the spirit of persecution he repressed by his

strong con

demnation. He appears to have crossed the Jordan into Peræa, most probably to avoid any more such unpleasant conduct in the Samaritans. It was a rather longer journey to Jerusalem that way; but it was better to lengthen the road than to be drawn into contentions, or to call forth the angry feelings of an unfriendly people. As he passed on, the Pharisees came to him, and asked him many questions concerning the kingdom of God: they were not, however, satisfied: they did not understand him, because they were full of worldly expectations and desires.

Jesus knew that some of those who surrounded him indulged in spiritual pride, trusting in themselves that they were righteous, and despising other men. He therefore spoke the following parable: Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican; the Pharisee stood by himself, and prayed thus; 'God! I thank thee that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers; or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week; I give alms of all that I possess!' And the publican standing afar off, would not even lift up his

eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, 'God! be merciful to me, a sinner!' I say unto you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.'

As he journeyed on, little children were brought to him, that he might put his handson them and pray. The disciples rebuked those who brought them; but Jesus, always kind and tender, ready to receive any offering of respect and affection, and to satisfy any pure and good desires, replied, 'Suffer the little children to come unto me: forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.' And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. How glad and full of gratitude the hearts of their mothers must have been! How they must have loved and venerated the great teacher who thus noticed their little children, instead of turning coldly away because they were too young to understand his teachings! We see in Jesus how closely allied are lowli