The Transfiguration of the Lord (Feast)

Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain.

Have you ever wondered why Jesus chose to bring only Peter, James, and John up the mountain that day? You might also wonder why he chose to tell only one woman that he was the Messiah (John 4:26), or why he told Martha—and only Martha—that he was “the resurrection and the life” (11:25)?

The answer is because Jesus loves intimacy. He could have shared any of these life-changing insights with all twelve apostles or with the thousands who had flocked to him. But it seemed to be both his strategy and his delight to make himself known to people one at a time or in small groups—to look them in the eye and to give them personal, firsthand experiences of his love.

As it was then, so it is today. Jesus wants to speak to you. Because he knows you, he has already chosen the specific words he wants to say to you, the specific Scripture passages he wants to bring to life for you, and the specific ways he wants to heal you. He thinks about who you are as an individual, and he tailors his message so that it speaks directly to your heart.

Likewise, Jesus wants you to know him personally, not just know about him. It’s not enough that you read about how kind, forgiving, and generous he is. He wants you to experience it firsthand.

This truth is especially relevant on today’s feast of the Transfiguration. Just as he did with Peter, James, and John, Jesus wants to give you a personal glimpse of his glory. And not just once, but many times. Every time you come to him in prayer, he is ready to open your eyes in a new and different way. Not because he wants to overwhelm you, but because he loves you and wants to share his heart, and his very life, with you.

So as you turn to him in prayer today, picture yourself walking up the mountain alone with Jesus. Ask him anything you want. Then, when you reach the top, take a seat across from him and listen. What does he want to say to you?

“Lord, let me see your glory!”

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
2 Peter 1:16-19
Mark 9:2-10