There are so many things to reflect on when we consider the Transfiguration of Jesus.
The first for me is, "Why did Jesus choose Peter, James and John over the other apostles?"
I can't really give you the answer, but it seems that these three are often in the midst of things more than the others.
Peter, we know, will become the leader of this new religion; John is often considered to be the "Beloved Disciple" as well as responsible for the fourth Gospel; and James was the first leader of this new church in Jerusalem.
Perhaps this was preparation for those responsibilities.
Another thing to reflect on is the presence of Moses and Elijah.
The general thinking is that Moses represents the Law and Elijah represents the prophets. Since Jesus is the fulfillment of both the Law and the Prophets, it is appropriate that they are with Jesus at this moment.
But, what is the purpose for this event?
The apostles had been told that Jesus would suffer and die, and would rise again on the third day. They didn't want him to suffer and tried to prevent him from going to Jerusalem where he would be in danger, and didn't understand how he or anyone could rise from the dead.
It seems that Jesus wanted to give them a preview of his glorified body that they would see following the resurrection.
Peter wanted to make three tents which tells us that he wanted to stay there and keep Jesus and the others there. This was not to be, and it is also not to be for us either.
There are times in our lives when we feel that we are on the top of the mountains of our lives and want to stay there forever, but that's not reality.
God gives us these moments to remember when we are in the valleys of our lives.
Just as the apostles had their dark moments and needed to remember this event. We will have ours. When they happen, we need to remember those top of the mountain experiences.
