8 MARCH (PREACHED 1770)
Open my eyes
‘And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart.’ Matthew 17:1
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Nehemiah 8:1–8
Though our Lord Jesus, in his humbled state, was despised and rejected by the unbelieving Jews, who judged only by his outward appearance, yet his true disciples beheld and acknowledged his glory. There was such wisdom in his words, such power in his works, such grace and goodness in his whole conduct, such a virtue went from him, drawing, teaching and comforting their hearts, that they could say, We believe and are sure thou art the Christ [John 11:27]. On some occasions he made a more perceptible and open display of his glory, and in an extraordinary sense manifested himself to them as he did not to the world. This was eminently the case at the solemn and memorable season of his transfiguration, recorded by three Evangelists. It seems a subject well suited to strengthen the faith and promote the edification of his people. And with these views, I would attempt to assist your meditations on it. I may say as the woman of Samaria, the well is deep [John 4:11]. In going through the passage, we shall perhaps be led to speak of some of the most important and difficult points both of doctrine and experience. Here, I think, if anywhere, we have cause to pray with the psalmist, Open thou my eyes, that I may see the great things of thy law [Psalm 119:18]. May this be the desire of all our hearts, and may the Lord afford a gracious answer.
FOR MEDITATION:
The woman who for water came,
Taught from her birth to hate the Jews,
(What great events on small depend)
And filled with party-pride; at first
Then learnt the glory of his name,
Her zeal induced her to refuse
The Well of life, the sinner’s Friend!
Water, to quench the Saviour’s thirst.
But soon she knew the gift of GOD,
And JESUS, whom she scorned before,
Unasked, that drink on her bestowed,
Which whoso tastes shall thirst no more.
SERMON SERIES: ON THE TRANSFIGURATION, NO. 1 [1/4]64
