After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
When we look closely at the Gospels, we find that Jesus taught the multitudes, fed thousands, sent the 70 out, discipled 12, closely mentored three, and spent time in prayer with 1, His Heavenly Father.
But of all of these, it's three He closely mentored who intrigue me the most.
If I were to ask you to name all 12 disciples, I am reasonably sure that you couldn't (unless you have memorized this scripture). But, if you have been in church long enough, all of you would have Peter, James, and John on your list. These are three that we know more about because they appear most often in the Gospel accounts.
Why do they appear more than the other disciples? We aren't told exactly, but I think we can make some educated guesses.
Think back to when you were in college (or maybe you are in college now). Think of where the different type of students sit in the room. In general, the farther you go back in the room, the less interested the student is (thought not always). As a college professor, I know that the students who are sitting towards the front are the ones who are most interested in the course and the one ones who will be most engaged in the lecture.
I surmise that Peter, James, and John would have been sitting on the front row, with Peter driving me crazy with questions. Maybe these three appear in scripture more often because they were more interested and engaged in Jesus' ministry. They were hungry to know more so they pursued Jesus more passionately.
With this in mind, it is easier to see why Jesus chose to take Peter, James and John up on the mountain for the Transfiguration...these disciples wanted to know Jesus more deeply.
Can the same be said of us? Would Jesus chose me or you to go up on the mountain with Him because we are that passionate to know Him more deeply?
Prayer Emphasis: Today ask God to give you a desire through His Holy Spirit to hunger to know Him more.
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