Apart By Themselves

by J. Miller | Category: Voices From The Past - Extracted From Jottings | Dec 1980

Mark, in his account of the Transfiguration, tells us: "Jesus taketh with Him Peter, and James, and John, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves: and He was transfigured before them" (Mark 9:2). Such seasons are needed by us all, to be with the Lord apart by ourselves in private and secluded blessedness, when He may reveal Himself to us, not to our eyes, but to our hearts.

Did not Peter, especially, need this experience in the loneliness of that high mountain? Think of what is recorded in Mark 8:31-33! The Lord began to teach His disciples openly that He "must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, and the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again". Christ's announcement of suffering, rejection and death totally eclipsed, in the mind of Peter, the glorious triumph contained in the words, "and after three days rise again". His own thoughts blinded his mind to the truth of Christ's words, and he took the Lord and "began to rebuke Him". How solemn! How awful! to rebuke One who was not only wise, but One who is "Wisdom", One into whose heart no foolish thoughts ever entered, for "the thought of foolishness is sin" (Prov. 24:9 RVM), Was Peter's act to pass unnoticed? What would be the effect on the other disciples? What would be the effect on the many who have arisen since and have taken upon themselves to criticize Christ? Christ is above criticism and rebuke! So we read, "But He turning about, and seeing His disciples, rebuked Peter, and saith, Get thee behind Me, Satan: for thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men".

The Lord's rebuke had a salutary effect on the disciples, for never again did any one of them presume to rebuke Him. But rebukes are not sufficient in themselves to build up a strong, robust faith. The revelation of the Lord to the heart has a value that nothing else can equal. Hence it was, that about eight days after, He took Peter, and James, and John, the high mountain apart by themselves, and showed them a little of His glory. May we too have the experience of being taken apart with Him.

"Apart with Thee, 0 Master!

Where the light of earthly glory dies"

In the quietude and holiness of His presence we may see His beauty, taste of His grace, learn His secrets, take on His likeness, and above all have our hearts drawn out to Him by the magnetic power of the affection He has for us.

J. Miller | Dec 1980
Voices From The Past - Extracted From Jottings