Mark 9:8

CHRIST ALL IN ALL

‘Jesus only with themselves.’

Mark 9:8

It is clear that this is one of the most solemn and suggestive passages in the whole Scriptures. Let us take a view of the Transfiguration as a whole, so that we may understand this concluding lesson of it.

I. Historical meaning of the Transfiguration.—We shall see that it was a very real event in our Lord’s history. It is recorded in detail by three Evangelists and with absolute independence. We must lay hold of the fact that our Lord was transfigured visibly, physically, so that the brightness of His Transfiguration passed through His raiment. We must lay hold of the reality of the Transfiguration. Of what value is the reality of the Transfiguration? It is first of all valuable as history.

II. Doctrinal significance of the Transfiguration.—The Transfiguration is also important doctrinally. St. Peter said, in answer to our Lord, ‘Let us make three tabernacles; one for Thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias.’ But then came the Divine voice which peremptorily forbade the making of the tabernacles. ‘This,’ said the Father’s voice, ‘is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased: hear ye Him,’ and you will observe that whenever St. Peter refers to the Transfiguration he makes no reference to Moses and Elijah. He did not want to learn the lesson twice. ‘This is My beloved Son: hear ye Him.’ Now you see the meaning of the text, ‘They saw no man, save Jesus only with themselves.’

III. Personal application.—‘Jesus only with themselves.’ Christ must be all in all to each one of us. That is the lesson of the Transfiguration. Our Lord Jesus Christ must be the chief among ten thousand. It seems as if St. Peter was thinking of the Transfiguration when he said, ‘There is none other name under Heaven given amongst men whereby we must be saved.’ Jesus Christ must take first place before everything else. We must remember that Jesus Christ alone can save us. I think that is why the whole of the Evangelists wrote the text like this in order that they might put down their testimony to what the great voice of the Father meant.

—Rev. H. J. R. Marston.

Illustration

‘The words “Jesus only with themselves,” conclude Mark’s narrative of our Lord being transfigured upon the Holy Mount. Luke’s words, concluding the same narrative, are very closely like those of Mark, “Jesus was found alone.” Matthew’s words contain this same striking expression: “They saw no man, save Jesus only,” but omits “with themselves,” which Mark uses to show how Jesus was found, identified by the three chosen Apostles, who were participators in that mysterious and glorious scene: St. Peter, St. James, and John. Of the three, St. James was not permitted to contribute to the New Testament, for he fell by the sword of Herod. St. Peter refers in his Second Epistle in explicit terms to the Transfiguration; John in a passage in the opening of his Gospel speaks of the same event. This is a very striking and magnificent part of the Scriptures, and the event itself was a very striking and magnificent event in the Lord’s life on earth, and the narratives of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are very striking and beautiful. The more we consider them the more do we see the import of of the closing sentence. Evidently the three Evangelists were guided by the Holy Spirit to put particular emphasis upon that little sentence, “Jesus only.” It cannot be by accident, it cannot be a mere coincidence, and it cannot be—as it might have been if it had been mentioned by only one of the Evangelists—only a subordinate phase of the Transfiguration.’