What a rollercoaster of mind-bending teaching (Mark 8:27-38).  First an apparently casual enquiry about who people thought Jesus was.  Then the direct question about the disciples' view on Jesus' identity … followed by Peter's confession … almost immediately followed by Peter's staggering rebukes to Jesus about the cross. Then, Jesus not only rebuked his words as being Satanic, but told all the disciples that they were to suffer too!  Now there is a promise of glory, followed by a brief experience of it!  Unforgettable!  And just as intended.

Like every good military leader, Jesus allowed His troops to have a glimpse of the final victorious goal before committing themselves to the battle.   He selected three witnesses to see Him in His glory.  That was very important to Jews who knew God's fairness in the Old Testament law.  No matter could be settled in court unless there were two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15).  That became a principle for resolving disputes in the Early Church (2 Corinthians 13:1;  1 Timothy 5:19).  That is why the trial of Jesus was manifestly unfair because the lying witnesses could not agree (Mark 14:56).  The purpose of Peter, James and John seeing the glorification of the Lord Jesus was for them to be witnesses to the church: that Jesus is the King who will reign … and that following Him, despite suffering, will end in victory.  Their shared experience gave authenticity to the authority of the apostles (2 Peter 1:16) and confidence to the church.

Having given the Twelve a week to think about it, Jesus took three of them up the mountain to see His clothes become dazzling white: a sign of His victorious majesty.  For the first time they saw Jesus as the King; having the power and the Glory.   This was a visible promise of their eternal destiny too (John 17:24) - the Glory which they would share one day (Romans 8:17;  2 Thessalonians 2:14;  1 Peter 5:1).  What an encouragement to the apostles and the church in the dark days ahead!  The arrival of Elijah and Moses confirmed that Jesus had come to fulfil the writings of the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17).  The recognisable appearance of these men brought Job's conviction to life (Job 19:26), providing the hope of life with Christ for all believers.  Suffering for the Gospel will be in repaid in glory (Mark 8:35).

Without the Bible's record we would be ignorant about God's future for us.  We would be left to flounder in mystery and superstition.  But we do have eye witness information (Luke 1:1-4) which is designed to give us hope.  Whatever we may be called to sacrifice for the sake of Christ, we can be confident that when the Lord comes in all His glory, believers will not be left behind or cut out of the great celebration (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).  We will be included and glorified with Him for ever. This confident hope was the backbone of the 1st century church - and every church in persecution.  It still says that Jesus and His people win in the end.  The hope of Glory gives courage to sacrifice everything for Christ!