Alexander MacLaren :: Jesus Only! (Mark 9:8)

Jesus Only!

'They saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.'—Mark 9:8.

The Transfiguration was the solemn inauguration of Jesus for His sufferings and death.

Moses, the founder, and Elijah, the restorer, of the Jewish polity, the great Lawgiver and the great Prophet, were present. The former had died and been mysteriously buried, the latter had been translated without 'seeing death.' So both are visitors from the unseen world, appearing to own that Jesus is the Lord of that dim land, and that there they draw their life from Him. The conversation is about Christ's 'decease,' the wonderful event which was to constitute Him Lord of the living and of the dead. The divine voice of command, 'Hear Him!' gives the meaning of their disappearance. At that voice they depart and Jesus is left alone. The scene is typical of the ultimate issue of the world's history. The King's name only will at last be found inscribed on the pyramid. Typical, too, is it not, of a Christian's blessed death? When the 'cloud' is past no man is seen any more but 'Jesus only.'

1. The solitary Saviour.

   The disciples are left alone with the divine Saviour.

   1. He is alone in His nature. 'Son of God.'

   2. He is alone in the sinlessness of His manhood. 'My Beloved Son!'

   3. He is alone as God's Voice to men. 'Hear Him!'

   The solitary Saviour, because sufficient. 'Thou, O Christ, art all I want.'

   Sufficient, too, for ever.

   His life is eternal.

   His love is eternal.

   The power of His Cross Is eternal.

2. The vanishing witnesses.

   1. The connection of the past with Christ. The authority of the two representatives of the Old Covenant was only (a) derived and subordinate; (b) prophetic; (c) transient.

   2. The thought may be widened into that of the relation of all teachers and guides to Jesus Christ.

   3. The two witness to the relation of the unseen world to Jesus Christ.

      • Its inhabitants are undying.

      • Are subject to the sway of Jesus.

      • Are expectantly waiting a glorious future.

   4. They witness to the central point of Christ's work—'His decease.' This great event is the key to the world's history.

3. The waiting disciples.

   1. What Christian life should be. Giving Him our sole trust and allegiance.

      • Seeing Him in all things.

      • Constant communion. 'Abide in Me.'

      • Using everything as helps to Him.

   2. What Christian death may become.