When their eyes get over the first daze, the disciples come to see that besides Jesus there are two others, two of the old Hebrew leaders.  There is Moses, the great maker of the nation, the greatest leader of all.  And rugged Elijah, who had boldly stood in the breach and saved the day when the nation’s king was proposing to replace the worship of Jehovah with demon-worship.  They are talking earnestly together, these three, about—­what?  The great sacrifices Jesus had been enduring?  The disappointment in the kingdom plan?  The suffering and shame to be endured?  The bitter obstinacy of the opposition?  The chief priests’ plotting?  Listen!  They are talking about the departure, the exodus, the going out and up, Jesus is about to accomplish.  They are absorbed in Jesus.  He was about to execute a master-stroke.  He is going to accomplish a great move.  They are wholly absorbed in Him, this Moses, and Elijah, and in this great move of His for men.

Meanwhile these men lying on the ground are waking up and rubbing their eyes.  The only jarring note is a human note.  John and James look with awe, reverent awe.  It is an insight into their character that nothing is said about them.  Their sense of reverence and power of control are to the front.  It is dear, impulsive old Peter who can’t keep still, even amid such a scene.  His impulsive heart is just back of his lips, with no check-valves between.  He must offer a few remarks.  This great vision must be duly recognized.  What a sensation it would make in Jerusalem to get these two men to stay and come down and address a meeting!  That would turn the tide surely.  Luke graciously explains that he did not know what he was saying.  No, probably not.  The tongue seemed to be going mechanically, rather than by the controlling touch of the will.  Peter seems to have a large posterity, some of whom abide with us to this day.

Then the vision is shut out by the intervening cloud.  This human interference disturbs the atmosphere.  For Peter’s sake, the glory is hidden that the impression of it may not be rubbed out even slightly by his own speech.  We blur and lose the impression God would make upon us, by our speech, sometimes.  A bit of divine practical psychology, this movement of the cloud.  Then the quiet voice that thrilled them with the message of the Jordan, “This is My Son; My Chosen One:  hear ye Him.”  Then it is all over.

It is most striking that this wondrous vision of glory is for these three obscure, untutored men, of lowly station.  Not for the nation’s leaders.  Yet the reason is plain.  They had gladly accepted what light had come.  To them came more.  Their door was open.  It is these men who had obeyed light that now received more.  To him that hath received what light has come shall be given more.  From him that hath no light, because he won’t let it in, shall be taken away even what light he has.  Shut fists will stifle what is already held, and the life of it oozes out between the fingers.