Homiletic Review Ecclesiastes 8:1 Who is as the wise man? and who knows the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom makes his face to shine… (with Matthew 17:2): — Note the variation of the Douay version: "The wisdom of a man shineth in his countenance." We would have been glad to stand with the disciples on the mountain to see Jesus when His face shone. I. WHAT IS THE FINAL SECRET OF A RADIANT FACE LIKE THAT OF JESUS? 1. "A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine." The genuine radiance of wisdom is not an outside application. Outward polish desirable, but not to be substituted for inward character. 2. There is a human wisdom in man that comes up through nature that seems to have some radiating quality. The reign of life begins with the creature fiat on his face. Ascending orders are, on the whole, increasingly erected, until man comes, the only creature with wisdom to turn his face upward. He is the "being with the upturned face." 3. But the light of nature in man was not that which shone in the transfigured face of Jesus. This light does not come up through nature, but down from God. Entering man, it changes the qualities of the nature light. It is only when it streams out again that we also get transfiguration experiences. This light in us is the "wisdom" that makes the face shine. II. HOW MAY WE HAVE AND SHOW THIS SHINING FACE? 1. Companying with Christ. The true disciple's face will always reflect the Master's light. 2. Busy interest in a great aim pursued for Jesus' sake. In cheerful work the face will shine. 3. Faith in the coming triumph of the kingdom. 4. The immortal hope. Upon the disciple's face the light is always that of the eternal city. Dying saints in pain comfort us with shining faces when we go hoping to comfort them. "Let your light shine." (Homiletic Review.) Parallel Verses KJV: Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. |
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