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." Ex. 32:32. Elijah 425 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.

Men korset må komme forud for kronen. Det, som deres samtale med Jesus drejer sig om, er ikke indvielsen af Kristus til at være konge, men døden, der venter ham i Jerusalem. Jesus vandrede alene blandt mennesker, medens han bar menneskeslægtens svaghed og var tynget af dens sorg og synd. Selv hans kære disciple, som var så optagne af deres egen tvivl og deres egne sorger og ærgerrige forhåbninger, havde ikke forstået mysteriet ved hans sendelse. Han havde boet midt i Himmelens kærlighed og fællesskab, men i den verden, som han havde skabt, var han helt ensom. Nu havde Himmelen sendt sine sendebud til Jesus; ikke engle men mennesker, der havde lidt skuffelser og sorg, og som havde forståelse af Frelseren under hans jordiske livs prøvelser. De havde taget del i hans længsel efter menneskers frelse. Moses havde tryglet for Israel: "Om du dog ville tilgive dem deres synd! Hvis ikke, så udslet mig af den bog, du fører." 2Mos. 32,32. Elias havde kendt sjælens ensomhed, da han i tre og et halvt år med hungersnød havde båret byrden af folkets had og dets ulykke. Alene havde han stået for Guds ansigt på Karmels bjerg. Alene var han flygtet til ørkenen i angst og fortvivlelse. Disse mænd, der var udvalgt frem for nogen af englene omkring tronen, var kommet for at føre en fortrolig samtale med Jesus om de forestående lidelser og for at trøste ham med forvisningen om, at Himmelen tog del i det alt sammen. Verdens håb, frelsen af hvert eneste menneske, var det, som deres samtale drejede sig om.