We can be thankful, as you have shared and pointed out from our reading today, Richard, that indeed the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy reveal that in Jesus we have a divine-human Savior. One who was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin, but who while walking the bloodstained path to Calvary was still fully God in the flesh, and yet He did not depend upon His own divine power for strength to overcome. He prayed and depended upon His Father, and He sought help in the ways that it is available to us--through Him. I am so thankful that Jesus is more than human! I am so glad that He is well able to bear all of the sins that I have confessed and laid upon Him, and that His heart of tender love is still open to receive the most sinful of our race, for He has already borne their sin upon His heart, and died on account of it. What amazing love! What a manifestation of grace!
As we see Jesus at the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus' reason for bringing His disciples there was to strengthen them for the trial that would await them. May we, in beholding this same scene through the pages of inspiration, also be strengthened for the upcoming conflicts we will face, with the full realization of the divine-human arm of Christ that is well able to help us in every situation, to keep us from falling into sin!
If Moses and Elijah had been sent to strengthen Jesus in what He was about to face, will we not also be strengthened as we contemplate the glorious theme of redemption? How can our hearts not be softened, elevated, and ennobled by coming into contact with such unfathomable love?
But before the crown must come the cross. Not the inauguration of Christ as king, but the decease to be accomplished at Jerusalem, is the subject of their conference with Jesus. Bearing the weakness of humanity, and burdened with its sorrow and sin, Jesus walked alone in the midst of men. As the darkness of the coming trial pressed upon Him, He was in loneliness of spirit, in a world that knew Him not. Even His loved disciples, absorbed in their own doubt and sorrow and ambitious hopes, had not comprehended the mystery of His mission. He had dwelt amid the love and fellowship of heaven; but in the world that He had created, He was in solitude. Now heaven had sent its messengers to Jesus; not angels, but men who had endured suffering and sorrow, and who could sympathize with the Saviour in the trial of His earthly life. Moses and Elijah had been colaborers with Christ. They had shared His longing for the salvation of men. Moses had pleaded for Israel: "Yet now, if Thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book which Thou hast written." Exodus 32:32. Elijah had known loneliness of spirit, as for three years and a half of famine he had borne the burden of the nation's hatred and its woe. Alone he had stood for God upon Mount Carmel. Alone he had fled to the desert in anguish and despair. These men, chosen above every angel around the throne, had come to commune with Jesus concerning the scenes of His suffering, and to comfort Him with the assurance of the sympathy of heaven. The hope of the world, the salvation of every human being, was the burden of their interview. {DA 422.2}
Before we will go to heaven, we also will pass through great trial and tribulation--but we are to rejoice, for we have Jesus as a never-failing helper amidst our experience, and the promise of His Holy Spirit to guide us and to be abiding in our hearts as we live by faith upon Him. As Moses and Elijah shared Christ's longing for the salvation of men, let us prayerfully enter into that same experience, knowing that all around us there are perishing souls who need the very lovely Savior that it is our privilege to behold!