We can only guess why just three of the disciples accompanied Jesus up the mountain on this significant day. Perhaps it was because these three would be especially responsible for continuing the ministry of Christ after He left them. James would need the recollection of the experience to cool his intolerant spirit temper his ambition, comfort him in Gethsemane, and strengthen his faith as he laid his head on Herod’s block. It was probably in part, this mountaintop vision that kept John from fleeing in haste at Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion and enabled him to endure his exile to Patmos. Peter would often need the memory of that vision to strengthen his wavering courage and enable him to stand against persecution, comfort other believers amidst their trials, and testify to millions throughout history that he was an eyewitness of Christ’s majesty and heard with his own ears the voice borne from heaven, “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him.”

It is not surprising that these men, particularly Peter, wanted to settle down with Jesus on that mountaintop for the rest of their lives. It was not meant to be. It was back to the valley for them – to those places between a rock and a hard place where they were to continue, enriched and renewed by what they had just witnessed, to lovingly and faithfully serve in the difficult arenas of this world. The transfiguration was a necessary experience for them, but it was not the grand finale. It was designed to equip them for service in the new kingdom, to better enable them to face and overcome the hardships and sufferings involved in witnessing concerning the Kingdom of God.

Oh, that we could have been there on the mountain! Don’t we, too, seek out-of-this-world experiences to give wings to our flagging spirits? Perhaps we do. But only if we will also fully recognize the cross-bearing that goes with it.