I remember the first time my old campus minister told me something personal about her life. She was describing a significant event while treating me as an equal instead of a student. I felt like I had been elevated to a higher status, that I was her friend instead of someone she was ministering to – but the situation was so new, I didn’t know what to say.
I imagine that’s how Peter, James, and John felt on that mountain when Jesus was transfigured and speaking to the long-dead prophets. They were in his inner circle. They were the chosen three, so to speak. They probably felt special, more so than the other disciples, waiting at the bottom of the mountain. But at the same time, the situation was so new that they had no idea what to do, as evidenced by Peter’s comment.
Jesus shared his secret with those three disciples. He showed them very clearly who he was. Now, today, this secret is hidden no longer. We are not like the disciples waiting at the bottom of the mountain. We are Peter, James, and John. We are chosen; we are special. We have been brought to the mountaintop to see who Jesus really is. And like Peter, James, and John, we are able to communicate with our God. We can ask him questions, and he will answer us.
Peter didn’t understand the privilege he was given. Neither can we understand this incredible gift. We can, however, trust that it is given freely and without hesitation. We don’t have to worry about whether we’re chosen. We are chosen, and we are special. There’s no doubt about it. The question is, as it was for Peter, what are we going to do about it?