“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them…”
—Matthew 17:1–2 (ESV)
The Transfiguration is one of the most awe-inspiring scenes in the Gospels. Jesus’s face shines like the sun, His clothes become dazzling white, and the voice of God speaks from the cloud. It is a glimpse of divine glory—an unmistakable confirmation of Jesus’s identity.
But have you ever noticed that Jesus didn’t take all twelve disciples with Him?
He only brought Peter, James, and John.
Why them? Why not the others? We’re not told. What we are told is that these three were eyewitnesses to one of the most stunning revelations of who Jesus is—and the rest of the disciples had to trust their word.
This is a profound moment, not just of divine glory, but of selective revelation. God chose to reveal something significant to a few, who would then be tasked with sharing that witness with others.
Seeing Isn’t Always the Way to Believing
Not every follower of Jesus will experience the mountaintop moment. Some will be on the hillside below, wondering what just happened. Some will have to believe the report, not having seen it with their own eyes.
That sounds a lot like us, doesn’t it?
We weren’t there when Jesus turned water into wine. We didn’t see Him walk on water, calm the storm, or raise Lazarus. We weren’t at the foot of the cross or standing by the empty tomb. We weren’t on the mountain of Transfiguration.
And yet—we believe.
We believe because those who did see, testified. And we trust that their witness is true.
Faith by Hearing
This is the nature of the Christian faith. Paul writes, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Not all are given visible signs. But all are invited to believe through the faithful testimony of those who were there.
Peter, who stood on that mountain, later wrote:
“We did not follow cleverly devised myths…but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (2 Peter 1:16)
And John would say:
“That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you…” (1 John 1:3)
God doesn’t always show us everything. But He always gives us enough. Enough testimony. Enough evidence. Enough grace. And the challenge is this: **Can we believe even when we haven’t seen?
For Reflection
- Have you ever struggled with not “seeing” or “feeling” God in the way others claim to?
- Do you trust the witness of those who have seen, even when your own experience is quiet or ordinary?
- What promises from Scripture do you need to take on faith today, even if they don’t yet feel tangible?
Lord, thank You for those who have gone before us, who saw and believed, and who passed on the truth of who You are. Strengthen our faith when we don’t see. Help us to trust Your Word, and to walk by faith and not by sight. Amen.
