And He suffered no man to follow Him, save Peter, James, and John the brother of James.” Mark 5:37 KJV
And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James. Mark 5:37 NASB
And after six days Jesus taketh with Him, Peter, James, and John, and leadeth them up into a high mountain” Mark 9:2 KJV
Six days later, Jesus *took with Him Peter and James and John, and *brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them. Mark 9:2 NASB
And He taketh with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be sore amazed and very heavy.” Mark 14:33 KJV
And He *took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. Mark 14:33 NASB
There are three occasions in the Gospels when the Lord Jesus took three disciples apart to be with Him. The first was when He put everyone out and raised Jairus’ daughter. The second occasion was when He went up to the mount of transfiguration and was seen in His glory. The final time was in the garden of Gethsemane. On each of these occasions, He is seen in a different light. The disciples were being prepared for all that would follow in the Lord’s life, but also for all that would mark them as they continued the work of the Lord Jesus.
The Gentle Shepherd
With Jairus’ daughter, He is seen as the Gentle Shepherd whose words and tender touch brought life to the girl and joy to parents. With what kindness and consideration, tenderness, and gentleness he deals with the young 12-year-old girl and her parents! The miracle is preceded by the amazing statement that “they laughed Him to scorn” (Mark 5:40). They mocked the life-giver, the Creator, and yet He is not deterred by the unbelief of men. He moves in grace as He approached the bed and with words both of authority and grace, “Talitha Cumi,” He restores her to life and to her parents.
The Glorified Sovereign
On the mount, He is seen as the Glorified Sovereign. He towers above all the great of earth. While at His baptism He is greater than sinners, on the mount He is greater than saints. Peter’s ill-advised suggestion is drowned out by the heavenly announcement. It is not the time for celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles. The fulfillment of Passover must first come.
Yet here on the “holy mount”, the disciples get a glimpse even beyond that to what will occupy the redeemed for all eternity – a glorified man. All was intended to strengthen faith and enable them to look beyond the approaching shame and cross.
The Grief of the Sufferer
In the Garden, we see the Grief of the Sufferer, as He faces “the dark tomorrow, full of unfathomed woe.” How sad that they could not “watch with Him” those moments in the garden. Yet, how often have we failed to spend time contemplating the grief which He knew. How little we enter into the sorrows of the Garden and of Golgotha!
What a privilege for disciples to have moved with Him in these sacred scenes. How much more for us, indwelt in this age by the Spirit of God, to travel with Him through the Gospels and to see His gentleness, goodness, grace, and grief.
Consider:
Why do you think that even though John was with Him on the mount of transfiguration, that there is no mention in His Gospel of the event?