Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.

There is something sacred about mountain tops. Jesus often went up mountains to be alone, to teach, and now to share this most mysterious experience of his transfiguration with his three closest companions.

There is something sacred about aloneness and about intimate company.  Why Jesus only chose three of his disciples for this moment can be discussed by the theologians.  I think it was such a personal, intimate experience such that it could not be shared with all.  Are not humans like this?  Do we not reserve our most personal, private experiences for the fewest close to us?  Jesus, who is God as well as man, does the same.

It was Peter, James and John who were invited into the room alone by Jesus to witness him raise the daughter of Jairus from the dead. (Mark 5.37)  When Jesus hinted at apocalyptic days ahead it was Peter, James, John and Andrew who went to him privately and asked when these things would occur and what the signs would be. (Mark 13.4)  Finally, it was Peter, James and John who went further into the garden with Jesus than any of the others during the hour of Christ's suffering.

Being chosen by Christ as his special, intimate friends has its perils.  As weak humans one of those perils is the temptation to presumption.  Surely it was because they thought they were more special than the others that James and John went to Jesus and asked to sit at his right and left hand in glory (Mark 10.37)  Knowing what faith teaches us of who Christ is we view this with amazement.  Yet how presumptuous are we during prayer when we think God will bend himself to our will or give us a special manifestation of himself?